LAX & Delta Accelerate Terminal Transformation by 18 Months

At a topping-out ceremony this afternoon with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Delta Air Lines secured the final beam for Phase 1 of the Sky Way transformation project at LAX – a $1.86 billion project to modernize, upgrade and connect Terminals 2, 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

The event comes as construction on the project is estimated to be 18 months ahead of schedule, due to efficiencies gained by lower passenger traffic at LAX and throughout the country, and the temporary closure of Terminal 3. The facility is now expected to open in mid-2023, instead of late 2024.

The project includes Delta’s LAX central headhouse, where the final structural beam was placed today, which will include a consolidated check-in lobby, security checkpoint and bag claim facility as early as the first quarter of 2022. The overall facility will also provide connectivity after security between Terminals 2 and 3, which is currently only possible via walking or a shuttle bus. The project will also provide easier access to the LAX Automated People Mover, opening in 2023.

“By working in close partnership and cooperation with Delta Air Lines, Los Angeles World Airports is leveraging opportunities to create efficiencies and deliver this project ahead of schedule by more than a year,” said Sean Burton, Board of Airport Commissioners President. “We are grateful to Delta and all our partners who are helping us build world class facilities worthy of our great city.”

“As we reimagine Los Angeles International Airport, the modernization of Terminals 2 and 3 is an example of how we are realizing our goal to be one of the top international airports in the world by creating new facilities and passenger experiences that are modern, streamlined and built on a framework of advanced technology,” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. “The new headhouse will be a new front door for Delta Air Lines guests, create a key linking point for the north terminals and provide easy access to the Automated People Mover train when it begins operations in 2023.”

“If there’s a silver lining to fewer people flying right now, it’s that we have an opportunity and a team with the know-how to pull the future forward on infrastructure projects like Sky Way at LAX to deliver an exceptional experience much faster than planned for our customers and employees,” said Mark Pearson, Delta VP – Corporate Real Estate. “This is all possible thanks to the incredible support of LAWA, the City of Los Angeles and our construction partners who are aligned with our vision, and our employees who continue to be nimble in supporting customers throughout each phase of construction.”

Delta’s LAX central headhouse will open in the first quarter of 2022 . The facility will also provide connectivity beyond security between Terminals 2 and 3, which is currently only possible via shuttle bus.

More information can be found here