LAX plays musical terminals in biggest revamp stage

Los Angeles Airport sign full highway with airplane flying overhead.

By Hannah Edensor

It’s no secret Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is undergoing some serious revamps, but this week it enters arguably its biggest phase so far.

As part of the latest renovations that started in January with American Airlines making the move from terminal six to terminal five, travellers will have a few new surprises to combat this week.

Per Travel Market Report, from today until Saturday, the airport is undergoing a “realignment process” that will see 15 airlines swap to new locations overnight, some to totally new terminals.

To help passengers, LAX will unleash its Guest Experience Members, who will roam the airport dressed in blue to answer any questions travellers have.

Delta, per TMR, will also be getting more hands on deck, bringing in hundreds of staff members to help manage the potential chaos.

So what changes are happening?

The biggest changes will come from Delta Air Lines, which this week will be operating out of four different terminals, before finally landing in terminals two and three permanently.

For this week, though, they will operate out of terminals two, three, five and six, and it will be up to travellers to correctly work out which terminal they need to be in.

“It all comes down to our guests being informed and taking the necessary actions to make sure they are in the right place at the right time to catch their flights,” LAX CEO Deborah Flint told TMR.

The end result of the $1.9 billion renovation will be terminals two and three being completely updated, while a new Delta Sky Way will link Delta’s terminals to the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Another fun update – because LA is full of celebrities – is the new VIP terminal, called The Private Suite.

Per TMR, that terminal (costing $2,700 extra for domestic flights and $3,000 for international) will allow high-profile travellers to avoid the paparazzi on their way into the airport – we’re looking at you Angelina.

This terminal comes with a separate TSA security line and private cars to taxi them to their plane.

Other airlines, including Thomas Cook, Hainan and Qatar Airways, have already made their moves to their new terminal homes.

Best bits of advice?

Get to the airport even earlier than usual – you don’t want clients (or yourselves!) running like mad to change terminals at the last minute.
LAX will be providing shuttle buses to move passengers between terminals.
Look out for the Guest Experience Members in blue if you’re lost and confused
Stay up-to-date on all the latest info at laxishappening
Grab a few extra tips and shortcuts on drop-off/in-terminal and pick-up here.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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