Los Angeles Airport LAX unveils revamped Terminal 1
Los Angeles World Airports and Southwest Airlines on Nov. 30 officially unveiled the revamped Terminal 1, which has undergone $516.7 million in renovations. The updated terminal features a more efficient, centralized screening area, more seating, and new dining and shopping options.
Mayor Eric Garcetti, also attended the ceremony which saw the unveiling of the $516.7m redevelopment by Southwest which includes new dining and retail options. The new facility also features ‘a larger and more efficient’ centralized screening checkpoint and larger seating areas in gates.
The Terminal 1 renovation, which began in 2014 is part of an overall LAX modernization program. The first phase was completed in 2016, with the final 10 of 20 retail and dining options revealed earlier this year.
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 around 10m customers moving through the facility each year of the development.
Deborah Flint, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports said the T1 modernization had been a phenomenal effort by all partners at LAWA, Southwest and URW Airports and the results raised the bar for what guests could expect when they came to LAX.
The major objective of the T1 project was to eliminate queues that crowded the approaches to ticketing, security and at shops and restaurants in ‘previously cramped’ gate areas.
Now, the 13-gate terminal features new self‐service check‐in stations, the relocated security checkpoint and additional retail and dining offerings post‐security.
Gary Kelly, CEO, Southwest said: “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.
“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.”
With 22 dining and retail destinations spread across 23,543sq ft, the new offerings introduce 13 new brands to LAX and eight which are making their airport debut.
Westfield Corporation entered into an agreement at Terminal’s 1, 3 and 6 to develop, lease and manage retail, F&B and other services in 2012 for a period of 17 years. Construction by the same project team is underway on Terminal 1.5, a connecting structure between Terminals 1 and 2. This will further expand baggage claim areas and offer Southwest Customers connectivity to the new LAX automated people mover.