LAX Terminal 1 treated to major overhaul

Los Angeles leaders officially unveiled a major makeover Friday at LAX’s Terminal 1, where Southwest Airlines and Los Angeles World Airports (which operates LAX) have finished a $516.7 million redesign.

The updated terminal has a revamped waiting area, added food and retail options, new restrooms, and a redone baggage claim zone.

Shopping center operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield oversaw the consumer-oriented aspects of the redesign, and more than 23,000 square feet of retail space has been added within the terminal.

Travelers passing through Terminal 1 will now get to munch on food options from local eateries, including Cassell’s Hamburgers and Trejo’s Tacos. Fancy caffeinated beverages won’t be in short supply either, thanks to a new Urth Caffe.

A store called LA Original will sell goods designed or manufactured within the Los Angeles area.

Terminal 1 opened in 1984 (just in time for the Summer Olympics), and, according to LAWA, its modernization will allow it to “accommodate the needs of a technology-rich, post-9/11 world.”

Other key elements of the project include added self-check-in stations, a new sorting system for checked bags, and a consolidated security screening station with 9 lanes to accommodate as many passengers as possible.

Photos courtesy Southwest Airlines

The terminal’s redesign is one part of a major overhaul now in progress at the airport. In 2016 Terminals 2 and 6 got makeovers of their own, and American Airlines kicked off a project earlier this year that will redo Terminals 4 and 5.

Last year, construction started on a new concourse that will serve the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

All these terminals will eventually be connected by a people mover tram system set to open in 2023. The shuttle will carry passengers to a rental car facility and a light rail station on Metro’s soon-to-open Crenshaw/LAX Line.

• American Airlines starts $1.6B renovation project at LAX [Curbed LA]
• Construction could start this year on LAX people mover [Curbed LA]
• A quick guide to LAX [Curbed LA]