REVAMPED TERMINAL 1 OPENS AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and Holllywood actor, Danny Trejo, were among the guests at Friday's opening of the new-look Terminal 1 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The half-billion dollar, kerb-to-gate redevelopment showcases a new check-in area featuring all-new self-service ticket kiosks, an efficient 9-lane security checkpoint, new area for baggage claim, and what LAX operator, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), describes as an exciting new dining and retail destinations with state-of-the-art design.

Completion of the Terminal 1 redevelopment comes as part of LAWA’s multi-billion dollar Capital Improvement Program, considered the largest public works program in history for the City of Los Angeles.

The Terminal 1 renovation is part of an overall LAX modernisation programme, which includes an Automated People Mover – an elevated train expected to be completed by 2023 – and is expected ultimately to create more than 121,000 construction-related jobs.

“Los Angeles is a city of dreamers and doers, and the reimagined Terminal 1 reflects the creativity at the heart of our city,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. 

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“Working together with Southwest Airlines and our partners, what we have created is more than a terminal that connects passengers to flights – it’s a destination in its own right.”

LA council member Joe Buscaino noted: “Today, the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles World Airports are celebrating a momentous occasion: The completion of a half a billion dollar investment into our airport by Southwest Airlines.

"As investment and partnerships continue to take flight, travelers can get a sneak peek of the future of LAX by visiting Southwest's Terminal 1 – a new first-class experience for every traveller, visitor and Angeleno."

The four-year, USD 516.7 million project created 3,475 construction jobs and completely refreshed the aging terminal, which was initially constructed in the early 1980s in advance of the 1984 Olympic Games. 

The project was completed with minimal impact to customer service and flight operations, keeping approximately 10 million customers moving through the facility each year of the redevelopment.

The new and expanded Terminal 1 includes dining and retail options celebrating local brands Urth Caffé, Cassell's Hamburgers and Trejo's Tacos, among others.

“Today’s reveal of Terminal 1 marks a significant milestone in our continued improvement and modernization of LAX,” said Board of Airport Commissioners Vice President Val Velasco. 

“Not only are we transforming LAX into the airport for the future, but we’re doing so with a local workforce and businesses to ensure that our community is involved in and benefits from all that we do.”

“The new Terminal 1 reflects Los Angeles World Airports’ commitment to creating exceptional facilities and experiences for our guests,” said Deborah Flint, CEO, LAWA. 

“The T1 modernization has been a phenomenal effort by all partners at LAWA, Southwest, and URW Airports, and the results raise the bar for what guests can expect when they come to LAX.”

A major goal of the T1 project was to eliminate lines that crowded the approaches to ticketing, security and at shops and restaurants in previously cramped gate areas. Now the terminal runs efficiently with a fleet of new self-service check-in stations, the repositioned security checkpoint and additional retail and dining offerings post-security.

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The new 13-gate terminal is a true transformation: curb-to-gate, wall-to-wall. It now boasts an efficient 9-lane security checkpoint; a fully automated checked-baggage inspection and sortation system; refurbished arrival/baggage claim area; updated and expanded restrooms; and replaced Customer boarding bridges.

“Southwest carries more California travellers to, from and within the Golden State every day than any other airline and is scheduled to offer a record 800 departures a day from California next summer,” said Southwest CEO, Gary Kelly. 

“This redeveloped Terminal 1 facility at LAX will host many of those Customers and is the perfect venue for our award-winning People to showcase their world-famous Hospitality.”

Southwest worked with LAX partner URW Airports, the terminal commercial manager, on a new and expanded dining and retail approach that includes celebrated local brands Urth Caffé, Trejo’s Tacos and Cassell’s Hamburgers, among others. 



With 22 dining and retail destinations comprising 23,543 square feet, the new offerings introduce 13 brands new to LAX and eight that are making their airport debut.

Southwest, construction manager, Hensel-Phelps, and architects from PGAL worked closely with URW to integrate shopping and dining destinations throughout the terminal, giving airport guests greater options and more visibility to their gate.

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Additional improvements at Terminal 1 include renovation of airline support office space; modernized aircraft parking/apron pavement and modernized hydrant fueling system; improvements to the building facade; a new roof; and relocation of the main terminal entrances to ease traffic congestion.

Construction by the same project team is well underway on Terminal 1.5, a connecting structure between Terminals 1 and 2 that will further expand baggage claim areas and offer Southwest Customers connectivity to the new LAX automated people mover.