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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the airport people love to hate. But the constant and often hysterical complaining aside, the world’s busiest origin/destination airport has never been that bad, is already pretty good, and is about to be one of the best airports in the world.
(To be clear, when it comes to people arriving and leaving the city through the airport – not just transiting as with mostly single airline dominant hubs such as Dubai, Atlanta, and Istanbul - LAX is the number one airport in the world by passenger volume).
And since this is Los Angeles, most of those people are arriving and leaving the airport by car. So this is the job. Let's she how she does.
Opened in 1928 as Mines Field the current footprint of LAX was designed and established in the early 1960’s in a space bound on all sides by the city and the Pacific Ocean (check out the late, great Bill Proctor for an amazing and mostly self shot visual history of LAX through the years). Which is tough because now that it's 2024 and still at only 2700 acres LAX is as far as major airports go, well, small. To give you an idea how small, Atlanta Hartsfield, the overall worlds busiest airport is 35% bigger than LAX and even at that ATL is not in the top 10 biggest airports in the world.
What that means is no airport in the world comes close to moving more passengers and cargo per square acre than LAX. And what that means is you don't move through that kind of volume in such a small footprint unless you're doing a lot right.
LAX has four east/west parallel runways: 24R/6L is 8,926 feet; 24L/6R is 10,285 feet; 25R/7L is 12,091 feet; and 25L/7R is 11,095 feet. They're in a two and two configuration with the U-shaped central terminal area (CTA) in-between, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Westchester neighborhood to the north, Century Blvd, the 405 and Inglewood to the east, and El Segundo to the south.
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| The before picture - LAX in 2012 |
You drive in to the west, around the horseshoe (World Way) and its 9 terminals, and out to the east. Two levels, 1.5 miles around the loop, and that's it. Simple, compact, efficient.
The Complaints
But before we tell you why the haters are living in the past (and why LAX is about to be that good) let's give them their voice for a moment.
Depending on when and where you're traveling to or from, the LAX trip can be a grind. Greater Los Angeles is a vast expanse of humanity spreading 20 million people over 4,751 square miles (12,310 km2). And again, most of those people drive a car, creating the infamous LA traffic you might find yourself stuck in on the way. And yeah, public transit to, from, and through such a vast expanse of development is difficult. So by the time you get to the airport you might just be in a bad mood anyway.
LAX was run down. Before the current 30 billion dollar redo the airport centered by the circa 1961 space age theme building hadn't had a significant upgrade since addition of the 2nd level roadway and opening of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) in 1983. By 2011 even Ton Bradley was nearly 30 years old, boring and blocky on the outside, tired on the inside, with not much shopping or food to be found. The rest of the terminals were worn out and just dated (not that late modernism isn't cool but....
(Don’t worry though theme building we still love you. While nobody seems to know quite what to do with you, you’re an essential piece of LAX history and you’re not going anywhere. And yes, you’re still beautiful).
Moving down the list of complaints: until recently if you needed to go from one terminal to another
you had to exit the secure area and either walk or take a shuttle bus to your
next terminal and re-screen, there were not enough gates, the ramp areas, taxi ways,
and runways were cramped and too close together, and there was no train to or within the airport.
And of course, the universal gripe, traffic on the
one way road around the horseshoe can be at times, well, gridlock, packed with
cars, rental car shuttles, hotel shuttles, LAX shuttles, emergency vehicles, and Flyaway busses. It can be a mess (but did we mention this is the busiest origin/destination airport in the world?)
All true.
But also mostly all in the past. Or at least it will be shortly. Largely by the end of this year, and completely by the Olympics in 2028 the whole place will be redone, remodeled, fixed. It will basically be a completely new airport inside, ramp side and outside via a new
five billion dollar elevated automated people mover (APM) connecting the central terminal area
(CTA) with long term parking/ITF west, the regional transit hub (96th St
Metro Connector), and the largest consolidated car rental facility on earth
(CONRAC).
And all done while keeping the airport open and moving more people in and out of its terminal area than any other airport on earth (so please, can we get just a little love and understanding?)
The Beginning/The Terminals
In 2013 the new Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) was revealed and with
it a message: get ready for a brand new world class airport. Outside, the shape of this award winning terminal is an ode to the breaking waves of the Pacific Ocean a stones throw from the airport.
Inside the main hall a vast
open space full of natural light, ceilings 5 stories high, terraced, with giant integrated multi-media video screens/towers, brand name shopping, and excellent dining and food options center a well designed and efficient building where you’re never more than a 10 minute
walk to your gate. It's a world class terminal (check out the Star Alliance Lounge at night for a super cool and unique outdoor section that overlooks the ramp).
Since then every other terminal at LAX has not only been completely rebuilt or remodeled all the way down the concourse, but T1-T6 have also gained new Terminal Vertical Cores. These are essentially new multi-level fronts that allow for vertical circulation of passengers with elevators and escalators, new office space for airport/airline staff and TSA/law enforcement, new check in and baggage claim areas, as well as direct connections to the APM via moving walkways over World Way (we’ll get to the APM in a bit). They're both functional and nice to look at. Taking into account the arrivals level this effectively makes most of LAX's storefront 5 stories high (if we can't expand out, we're going up).
T1 is the domain of the biggest budget carrier in the world, Southwest Airlines. This billion dollar terminal remodel was completed in two stages, first being the new main terminal 1 building completed in 2018 and the second being the new terminal 1.5 connector building joining T1 and T2 and allowing passengers to walk between the terminals without exiting the secure area (2022).
It boasts 24 new retail and dining concepts, including three new full-service restaurants, plus a mix of quick-service restaurants and grab-and-go food options.
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Southwest has already outgrown T1. The new concourse will give the airline room and include a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) station eliminating the need for Southwest to bus its international passengers to TBIT.
Terminal 2
Home to a variety of domestic and international carriers terminal 2 received a 194 million dollar upgrade in 2017 before being part of the 2.4 billion dollar terminal swap and remodel of terminal 3 (completed in 2023). This includes 830,000 square feet of new building space and a sky bridge connecting terminals 2, 3 and Tom Bradley.
Terminal 3
Delta’s new LAX home was completed in August 2023, 18 months ahead of schedule (the pandemic wasn't all bad). Demolished and rebuilt from the ground up the new concourse features skylights, big windows and lots of natural light. Here you can pass some time in a gaming suite or any of the various new bars and dining options. The ample seating in the terminal comes with multiple power outlets at every seat (and amen to that, right?).
Tom Bradley West Gates
Aside from the new terminal core, new main hall, airline lounges, and remodeled gates at TBIT, a completely new terminal to the west opened in 2019. Connected to TBIT by a 1000 foot underground moving walkway Tom Bradley West comes with its own food/dining and retail options along with 15 new widebody gates. These gates feature new technology including boarding by facial recognition, which is cool if not a little creepy (welcome aboard Mr. Anderton).
Keeping with the ocean vibe the roof and interior lines are meant to represent the swells before they break on the beach. If you happen to be in this terminal at dusk face west and you're most likely in for a spectacular sunset.
Currently under construction is the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) South which will add 150,000 square feet and 9 new narrow body gates to the south end of the current terminal.
An outdoor observation deck is part of this ode to modernism build, but perhaps most notable here is the design and construction method. MSC South is currently being built along the north edge of the airport in 9 separate modular segments, which will then be transported to the site and connected.
Terminal 4
This 2.4 billion dollar renovation of the American Airlines space is due
to be completed in 2026. A new
terminal core extending and connecting to terminal 5 is complete on the exterior. This will eventually become the central check in area for both concourses. The new construction linking T4 to Tom Bradley was
completed in 2022 (pictured above).
Highlights of the renovation include a spacious new departure hall with direct, natural sunlight to reduce energy consumption, a whole new south concourse, and reconfigured ticket counter and check-in areas designed to reduce wait times and allow seamless access from check in to security..
Terminal 5
Jet Blue and Spirit can thank Delta for making their place at LAX super nice in 2015 before they relocated to their new digs at terminal 3. Terminal 5 is a gleaming concourse that rolls gently down and then back up as you move past the gates, bars, restaurants and shopping. It features an XPresSpa, a gourmet market, fantastic food options, a pet relief station. a nursing room and a sports store dedicated to the best basketball player to ever play the game, Earvin Magic Johnson (if you want to know why he's better than Jordan just ask).
Terminal 6
230 million dollars later and as of last year terminal 6 is brand new. The home of Alaska Airlines boasts dining options that include BLU20, Earthbar, Osteria by Fabio Viviani, Peet's Coffee, Point the Way Café, Starbucks Evenings, The Habit Burger Grill, The Marketplace by Wolfgang Puck, and Wahoo's Fish Tacos.
Terminals 7 and 8
The 583 million dollar renovation of the connected United Airlines space was
completed in 2019. While the entirety
of the concourses and gate areas are new, the bright and airy TSA checkpoint area with its wide stairs and
escalators up to the concourse are the highlights of this remodel. It makes going through security almost pleasant.
Terminal 9
The last major piece of the airport redo will be the 4.5 billion dollar United Airlines terminal 9. Due to be completed by the LA Olympics in 2028 the biggest terminal at LAX not named Tom Bradley will also be the only terminal located east of Sepulveda and will be linked to T8 by a pedestrian bridge. It will also have its own parking structure and APM stop.
So that's every terminal at LAX, remodeled, expanded, or brand new. Except for the two they haven't started yet, T9 and concourse 0, the rest of the construction, the APM, all its CTA stops, external stations, and their connected facilities should be complete by next year. Once T9 and concourse 0 are done in 2028 there will be over 40 more gates from 2019, an increase of over 30%.
Moving between terminals
As of late 2023 it's now possible to move to, from and across all the terminals within the secure area. And by next year the APM will operating with its pedestrian access bridges for passengers moving between terminals outside the secure area. Terminal to terminal movement will be improved if not easy, and if you prefer 100% indoors.
This gives every traveler at LAX access to all the terminals, over 95 eateries, 85 retailers and dozens of artworks, observation decks, and unique architectural features.
The Automated People Mover (APM)
The game changer.
96% complete this driverless elevated light rail system will run back and forth
from the CONRAC to Tom Bradley via the 96th St Metro Connector, ITF west/long term
parking, and then into the CTA to the APM east station, central station, west station. The east station will serve terminals 1, 7 and 8, the central station terminals 2, 5, 6 and the west station terminals 3, 4 and Tom Bradley. A nine minute transit end to end, it's due to start operation in the fall in conjunction with the 96th St Metro Connector, the K Line Metro Stop, ITF west/long term parking, and the CONRAC.
Right off the bat in conjunction with the CONRAC the APM will eliminate 3200 car rental shuttle trips per day in and out of the CTA. Also largely a thing of the past will be 1500 daily LAX shuttle bus rotations currently running around the loop between terminals and in and out of the airport to long term parking, employee parking, the metro, and the current bus transit hub.
It will also vastly reduce the number of cars going into the airport as the 96th Street Metro Connector - a one minute drive to/from the 405 freeway and 7 minute APM ride to the terminals - will be a popular pick up/drop off point for LAX passengers.
Consolidated Rental Car Center (CONRAC)
The eastern most stop of the APM will be the CONRAC. This already completed project is the largest
consolidated car rental facility in the world.
It’s connected to a second, smaller quick turn around rental car
servicing building where cars will be fueled, washed, and serviced. This facility is less than 100 yards from the
405 freeway.
It will have a solar farm to provide clean power to the facility and includes a whole host of energy saving and energy efficient innovations.
The 96th St Metro Connector.
Most conveniently, it's less than a one minute drive from the Century Blvd on/off ramp for the 405 freeway via a newly extended 98th St. So if you're to/from LAX by the freeway, it's one minute from this station by the car and then 7 minutes to the terminals by the APM. No need to go into the CTA (unless you want to waste time or see the newness of the airport). This is a particularly significant improvement when one considers that 68% of all people coming to and from LAX come via the freeway.
Here will be the new bus hub, the LAX stop for the Metro K line, and an indoor bicycle parking space. It will also feature landscaped outdoor walking and sitting areas, connections to a new bike path, and its own solar farm.
Keeping up with the Jones's over at CONRAC the third stop on the APM toward the airport is the ITF West and the biggest parking structure in the world, LAX long-term parking. Already operating, this facility reads your license plates and if you've booked your parking online lets you in and out automatically. No waiting, no touching, no delays in or out, and about a 6 minute APM ride to/from the terminals.
Here will also be a specifically designed space for ride share/taxi pickup with easy access to Sepulveda, Century, and the 405.
The Northside Parcel
The Northside property is approximately 340 acres located between the north airfield and Westchester with basically nothing on it. It's served mainly as a buffer between the airport and the community to the north. Now it's going to be a park with jogging paths, fitness facilities, sports fields, basketball, volleyball, tennis and pickle ball courts, a mixed use retail, office, dining, plaza area, a research and development campus, and aircraft support areas ramp side south of Westchester Parkway.
There will be a regular shuttle from the CTA to these spaces in case you want to spend your layover jogging or playing basketball (yes we know what you're thinking, and yes we also hope the recreational facilities end up including showers).
Access
Not only improved efficiency, but now flexibility. You can travel LAX by train, bus, bike or car (or since you can take your bike on the Metro and long term park it indoors at the 96th Street Metro hub, by bike and train). You can pickup/drop off, economy park or rent/return a car minutes from the terminals via the APM and seconds from the 405. Or if you wish you can drive into the airport and pick up/drop off or park in structures right in front of the terminals (LAX won't deny you your LA car rights).
Likewise airport hotels are mostly right next door on Century Blvd, Airport Blvd, or just to the south in El Segundo.
Walkability
Given LAX's small footprint you won't walk too far unless you want to (nobody walks in LA right?). No terminal is more than a 5-10 minute walk to the end of its concourse and the terminals are connected by moving walkways in the APM bridges (and underground from Tom Bradly to the West Gates), the APM itself, or air side via the new construction.
Trying not to denigrate any other airports (even the ones that show up on world's best list), but if you're in Munich (MUC), Madrid (MAD), Amsterdam (AMS), Miami (MIA), Dallas (DFW), or frankly most other major airports, lets just say make sure your walking shoes are on your feet rather than in your bag.
The Roads
This deal comes with new and improved roads. Within the airport there is a new 2nd level roadway to the front of the west APM station. Outside the CTA and largely complete is a widening of Arbor Vitae, Aviation, Airport and La Cienega Blvds, and an extension of 98th St connecting Sepulveda Blvd to the 96th St Metro Connector, the CONRAC, and the 405.
Coming later will be a second level roadway just to the east of the CTA. This will be to further improve traffic flows in and out of the airport and allow people driving past the airport on Sepulveda to largely avoid airport traffic.
The Runways/Ramp
In 2007, the southernmost runway was moved 55 feet to the south to improve safety, allow for increased airfield operations, and accommodate a new central taxiway. Also added was an expanded "50 yard line" and other north/south taxiways enabling aircraft to more efficiently between the north and south side terminals and runways. Since 2015 every runway at LAX has been renovated.
Further improvements on the north side, including improved exit ramps for the runways and new service roads are scheduled to begin in March of this year and run through July.
If you've ever taxied for over 30 minutes at other airports and felt like you might actually be driving most of the way to your final destination, you will appreciate that LAX is far too small and well connected for such silliness.
As previously mentioned all passengers now have access to over 95 food and dining options at LAX. They reflect the authentic cultural diversity of the city, the world renown quality of its eateries, and inclusion of the southern California inspired health and fitness trend the city has since exported to the world. From fast food to health food, ethnic food and its fusion evolution, to its locally born iconic brands one can experience a culinary word tour with options unrivaled by any other airport. Avocado toast for breakfast, pan seared salmon for lunch, and the world for dinner at LAX. As with the city itself, whatever you're looking for, it's here.
(The poke bowl at Lemonade in terminal 5 is a pretty amazing experience for airport food (if you ask they'll include their roasted brussel sprouts and it will be one of the healthiest, most nutritious, and flat out delicious meals you'll find anywhere).
In 2022 LAX moved 2.7 million tons of cargo through three cargo areas and 27 different buildings. To further increase efficiency and traffic flows around the airport a consolidated domestic airfreight terminal will be constructed on Century Blvd. This state of the art and energy efficient facility will have direct ramp access and house all domestic airlines cargo operations in one location.
International cargo operations will be consolidated along the south edge of the airport on Imperial Hwy allowing direct freeway access via the 105 for the trucks, largely removing them from street level local and airport traffic. Part of this plan is a consolidated cargo support facility and truck staging area off Aviation and Imperial Hwy.
What We Hope For
The one thing LAX is missing is a hotel in the central terminal area. And with the way the place is configured it should be pretty easy. There are seven large parking structures in the CTA and with the long term parking a six minute APM ride from the terminals LAX doesn't need them all. Replace a couple of them with a hotel and the world will be a better place.
A couple more things that should be history are the American Airlines hangers just to the west of the Tom Bradley West terminal. They're an embarrassment that the plane spotting channels broadcast to the world on a daily basis. They look like they're about to fall down anyway.
The haters will never stop moaning about the lack of an underground train stopping at all the terminals plane side. It would be nice but LAX is small enough and self contained enough within each airlines' system/terminals that it's never that far for the comparatively limited terminal to terminal movement the airport must accommodate. And if you don't want to walk you can exit the secure area and take the APM.
Also, re-open the Encounters restaurant in the theme building. It's an amazing space. With the APM access will be a breeze.
And can we get a direct flight to Portugal? Tap Air Portugal? Please?
Better, But One of the Best Airports in the World?
So we make a bold claim putting lax in the world's top tier airports. Is it better than Singapore? Or Istanbul? Will it be? Maybe not (because SIN is pretty awesome), but we didn't claim the very top spots, much of this is a matter of taste, and with what's going on at LAX it's really apples and oranges anyway. Basically LAX is doing a far more difficult job.
So while LAX finishes up its case for the top airports list consider: LAX is busier than the other airports on the list. LAX doesn't have one dominant carrier like every other airport on the list (in fact it's the only airport that's a major hub for all three major domestic airlines, not to mention the anything but minor Southwest and Alaska). LAX isn't out in the country like most airports on the list. It's smaller. LAX runs huge domestic and international frequencies (from LAX one can directly connect to basically all regions of the country and all regions of the world with high frequencies to Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, the South Pacific, the Pacific Islands, South East Asia, Asia major, the Indian sub-continent (Air India will start LAX/DEL nonstop service this year) and Europe (ok no direct flights to Central Asia so you're going to have to connect to Kazakhstan, but it's a little far away for a nonstop flight anyway)). And LAX is the only airport on that list that must accommodate a car culture on a mass scale.
Los Angeles has no center. It's a diverse mega-city comprised of many connected communities, each with its own center, its own culture, its own vibe. LAX mirrors the city is serves and the world it links with each of its terminals connected yet its own separate, unique and efficient space. Give it a year, then give her a look for the list...
--- to be continued.
