LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles International Airport is often derided for congestion and delays, which makes sense given its status as the fifth busiest airport in the world.
But the changes that are currently taking shape as part of a $30 billion capital improvement program have the potential to transform LAX into an enjoyable, even desirable experience. Following are status updates on the many upgrades being made in the lead-up to the Olympics and beyond.
Automated People Mover
What is it: An electric, automated train designed to shuttle people between the LAX terminals and three stops outside the airport — long-term parking, a rental car facility and a Metro C Line stop. The elevated track is 2.25 miles. Trips are expected to take about ten minutes.
Current status: LAX is electrifying the rails and will begin testing the new train cars this summer.
Estimated completion: 2024
Consolidated Rent-a-Car facility, aka ConRAC
What is it: A single, off-site hub for all the rental car companies that operate at the airport, the ConRAC facility will be accessed with the Automated People Mover. When finished, it will be the largest rental car facility in the world, with room for 18,000 vehicles.
Current status: LAX is working with rental car companies to build out their spaces.
Estimated completion: Around the time the Automated People Mover begins service.
Smart parking
What is it: A system that allows people to make parking reservations online in advance instead of needing to drive around hoping to find an open spot. Reservations can be made here.
Current status: It is currently available in the 4,300-space LAX Economy parking lot on 94th Street and will be expanded to other locations.
Estimated completion: The system will be available for the seven parking structures in the central terminal area by fall of 2023.
Biometric boarding
What is it: A system that uses a facial recognition machine to scan an individual’s face and determine whether that person is booked on a flight and allowed to board without needing to show any paperwork or ID.
Current status: In use at the Tom Bradley International terminal. LAX is assessing the technology to determine if it will roll out across the airport.
Estimated completion: Not yet determined.
Common use lounges
What is it: Lounge areas for people to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the terminal, similar to the private lounges offered by many airlines for frequent flier members with comfortable seating, snacks and beverages.
Current status: LAX is considering deploying the first common-use lounge at the west gate of the Tom Bradley International Terminal and may roll it out to other terminals.
Estimated completion: Not yet determined.
Terminals 2 and 3
What’s happening: Following updates to the Delta Air Lines headhouse, ticketing, security screening and baggage claim areas into one building last year, LAX is adding a new Delta One check-in counter and a ninth gate to Terminal 3, as well as a connector bridge from Terminal 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal post-security screening.
Current status: Under construction.
Estimated completion: December 2023.
Terminals 4 and 5
What’s happening: Building on the opening of a vertical core that helps people access the baggage claim and check-in lobby more easily, LAX will open a new Terminal 4 headhouse with new ticketing counters and baggage claim carousels for American Airlines, as well as a consolidated security screening checkpoint.
Current status: Under construction.
Estimated completion: Early 2028.
Terminal 6
What’s happening: Alaska Air is improving the terminal with additional gates and a connection to the future Automated People Mover. LAX is also improving the terminal to provide access through Terminal 5 to the new train.
Current status: Under construction.
Estimated completion: March 2024.
Tom Bradley International Terminal
What’s happening: LAX is building so-called vertical cores to help people move through the area more easily. It is also adding space for baggage, offices, restrooms and additional concessions.
Current status: Under construction.
Estimated completion: December 2023.
Midfield Satellite Concourse South
What is it: An extension of the Tom Bradley International Terminal’s West Gate that will include more gates and concessions. The two-story, 50,000-square-foot building will add eight gates.
Current status: Under construction.
Estimated completion: Fall 2025.
Concourse 0
What is it: An extension of Terminal 1 in the space where LAX-it is currently located. The new terminal will be home to a variety of international and domestic airlines and will include an outdoor lounge space. LAX-it will be moved to a location with access to the Automated People Mover.
Current status: In the design phase.
Estimated completion: Some portions might be open prior to the 2028 LA Olympics.
Terminal 9
What is it: A new 1.4-million-square-foot building that will be physically separated from the rest of the airport with a pedestrian bridge that connects to the opposite side of Sepulveda Boulevard from the airport. It will be accessible with the Automated People Mover and also new roadway access. Like Concourse 0, Terminal 9 will be used by a variety of different airlines and will incorporate some of the new concessions LAX is considering.
Current status: In the design process.
Estimated completion: Some portions might be open prior to the 2028 LA Olympics.
New concessions
What is it: LAX is considering ghost kitchens beyond what currently exists in Terminal 2 that will allow local restaurants to cook and showcase their food. LAX is also considering offering new services such as dry bars, nail salons and gyms, as well as pods — or private individual spaces — for people to work or sleep.
Current status: In development.
Estimated completion: Will roll out in phases as LAX identifies available spaces, but they will most likely be in Concourse 0 and Terminal 9.
Landscaping beautification
What is it: Many of the outdoor areas around the short-term parking lots at the center of the LAX horseshoe will be landscaped and have outdoor recreation and seating space. That area contains 13 potential acres that could be transformed into a pedestrian plaza accessible between the central terminal area parking lots and the terminals’ arrivals level using the existing crosswalks.
Current status: In the design phase.
Estimated completion: 2026.