Nine years into a multibillion-dollar capital improvement program, Los Angeles International Airport is positioning itself to remain a top global hub for years to come.
The comprehensive plan, scheduled for completion by the end of this decade, includes more than 20 individual projects: the new Tom Bradley International Terminal (New TBIT), major airfield upgrades, and extensive facility renovations. At the heart of the program, the $1.9 billion New TBIT expands capacity with 18 additional gates, nine of which are configured to serve superjumbo aircraft. The terminal also enhances the passenger experience with a new Great Hall offering upgraded dining and shopping options.
An allocation of $270 million is set aside to replace or refurbish 212 aging elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, with replacement work planned to conclude in 2016. To improve passenger circulation, the $115 million Terminal 4 connector project will design and build a multi-use, multilevel structure that creates a secure, direct connection between Terminal 4 and TBIT. Another $613 million is dedicated to modernizing the airport’s in-line baggage handling and screening systems.
Delta Air Lines’ check-in desk © Delta Air Lines
Completed in June, the $229 million renovation and modernization of Terminal 5 introduced Delta Air Lines’ first private check-in lounge, Delta ONE at LAX. The project was developed in collaboration with the airport authority and the City of Los Angeles.
Delta ONE passengers enter through a dedicated curbside entrance that leads to a private check-in lounge with personalized baggage handling and a refreshment bar. From the lounge, customers can proceed to a dedicated security checkpoint. The terminal also now features a renovated 100-seat Sky Club, which includes new shower suites, updated restrooms, an enhanced food area with café seating, and refreshed furnishings and fixtures.
Additional Terminal 5 improvements include new jet bridges, a refurbished Sky Priority lobby, an expanded ticketing lobby, four additional security checkpoints, new baggage carousels, and international baggage recheck facilities—altogether improving operational flow and passenger comfort.
A dedicated project website, LAX Is Happening, provides current information on the capital improvements, traffic impacts, and airport access to help travelers plan their trips and navigate construction-related changes.