A321
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Total 20500
Workload; Communication Breakdown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Procedure; Human Factors
Cleared by SOCAL approach for ILS 25L approach on ANJLL4 RNAV arrival to LAX. Weather was VFR and airport in sight for at least 30nm. Upon contact with LAX tower we received landing clearance for what I perceived as runway 25L. Landing flow and checklist accomplished. On final approach we both observed and acknowledged a heavy Aircraft Y entering RWY 25L and beginning its takeoff roll. We maintained visual contact with the departing aircraft prepared to initiate a go around if necessary. On short final the tower controller issued us a go around clearance and we immediately complied. We continued to maintain visual contact with Aircraft Y and contacted LAX approach which proceeded to issue us vectors for another approach. Flight landed safely without further incident.Upon review of audio evidence; it is quite clear that upon contact with LAX tower we were in fact given a runway change (quite rapidly) to land on Runway 25R. I completely missed this extremely important detail during high task loading; while at the same time the First Officer somehow correctly acknowledged landing clearance to 25R to LAX tower. However both of us remained in agreement that we were cleared to land on 25L. In hindsight it was expectation bias (ie cleared ILS 25L) combined with routine experience into LAX; in addition to the miscommunication with the tower.Continued attention to detail and proper crew communication is paramount! Even in high work load situations every ATC clearance must be verified; something I already stress in my preflight briefings and will continue to stress more. As for ATC; I acknowledge that LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world and 'rapid fire' clearances are a reality. However ATC must consider the human factor in dealing with last second changes and verify accordingly.
A321 Captain reported a communication breakdown with ATC resulted in approaching the wrong runway and a go-around due to a potential conflict.