Rendering of United’s new outdoor terrace at LAX (Image: United / YouTube)
There’s a lot going on a Los Angeles International Airport these days, such as the ongoing $500+ million upgrade to United’s operations at Terminals 7 and 8, plus a rumor that Delta could be moving across the horseshoe to terminals 2 and 3.
(Image: United)
First, let’s look at what United has going on at LAX Terminal 7.
As with most big construction projects, the likelihood of glitches increases, so be prepared when flying United to or from LAX through the end of next year when it should conclude. This spring, you’ll see a new baggage claim area open as well as an updated economy class check-in space and consolidated security screening area.
In a new video, United promises a bigger, better and brighter terminal with extras like a new 20,000 square foot United Club with an outdoor terrace (pictured above). A United spokesperson told TravelSkills that the new Club is slated to open in September 2016.
Remember that while United uses both Terminals 7 and 8, all check in and security is at Terminal 7.
The view from Delta’s recently revamped Sky Club at LAX Terminal 5 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
LAX airport authorities are reportedly now briefing other airlines about the possibility of Delta moving from its recently renovated Terminal 5 across to a new space at Terminals 2 and 3 according to the BrianSumers.com blog. If the deal goes forward, Delta would invest nearly a billion dollars on a terminal renovation or replacement project that could take up to five years to complete.
Delta is now the #2 carrier at LAX after American, and the new space would provide 23 gates, up from its current 13 in Terminal 5. Over the last 6 years, Delta has nearly doubled the number of seats it flies in and out a LAX, so it could use the space. Plus, Sumers reports that Delta may add a behind-security tunnel to the adjacent Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).
And in case you missed it, Southwest is now operating out of a shiny newly modernized Terminal 1 facility at LAX. Also last month LAX completed a new behind-security corridor connecting American’s Terminal 4 with the TBIT.
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LAX needs more work
If Delta does build a new terminal 2/3 hopefully it has more food options, bathrooms, and nicer lounge than what we are currently dealing with in terminal 5.
I noticed Chris didn’t mention the tunnels in connection with American’s new bridge to Tom Bradley.
Effectively, this means international passengers will be able to connect very quickly to not only American’s domestic routes, but also the other southside terminals.
This is because LAX has a tunnel that runs underground from Terminal 4 to Terminal 6. United, however, also constructed an airside walkway above ground to link 6, 7, and 8 when they were using all that space.
One particular beneficiary is Alaska (surprise) because the current set up requires you to transit through Terminal 6 to reach the other walkway. However, without a moving walkway or similar technology to move travelers underground faster…there will still be limits to this strategy.
Delta, not to be outdone, is probably going to flatten Terminal 2 and 3 and build its own direct connection to TBT from a shiny new terminal. But that just opens Terminal 5 to being gobbled up by American for even more flights…even though it’s not exactly the smartest defensive posture to maintain.
Best L.A. airport to fly into as your final destination is any but LAX. LAX has more connections, but also more of a lot of bad things too.
I love the behind-security access from T4 AA! The food offerings and common areas are so much better over there!