LAX Readies For Confusion This Week As Overhaul Continues
by Daniel McCarthy
LAX.
On May 14th, 2011, I walked 24 hours in the Relay for Life. To prepare, I did 8 training walks through the streets of Los Angeles. This was my 8th and final training walk from Venice almost to Redondo and back via LAX.
As part of a renovation that began in January, travelers flying in, out of or through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will be playing a game of musical terminals this week.
From today to Saturday, the airport will undergo a realignment process that will see 15 airlines move to new locations overnight, some to a completely new terminal.
The process is the largest realignment phase in the airport’s history, and will leave travelers guessing before they even get to the airport.
The biggest changes will come from Delta Air Lines, which will operate out of four different terminals — two, three, five and six — during the week. After the renovations are completed, Delta will only offer flights out of terminals two and three.
It will be up to travelers to determine which terminal they belong at this week.
“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 said.
For its part, the airport is recommending that travelers get to the airport even earlier than normal. It will also provide LAX Guest Experience Members, who will roam the airport dressed in blue and provide information to passengers who need it.
LAX will also provide shuttle buses to shuffle passengers between terminals.
Delta is also lending a hand, bringing in hundreds of staff members to further assist passengers during this week.
The end result of the $1.9 billion renovation will be completely refreshed terminals two and three and a new Delta Sky Way which will connect Delta’s terminals to the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
A new VIP terminal, called The Private Suite, will also be added. That terminal (for a cost of $2,700 for domestic flights and $3,000 for international) will allow high-profile travelers to acoid paparazzi on their way into the airport with a separate TSA security line and private cars to taxi them to their plane.
The process began in January with American Airlines moving from terminal six to terminal five. Other airlines, including Thomas Cook, Hainan and Qatar Airways, have also already made their moves.
