Delta recently announced it will be moving its operations to Terminal 2 and 3 in LAX from May 12th. It will be one of the largest terminal moves in the history of commercial aviation, but the benefits seem to outweigh the temporary inconveniences.
The move is the start of a larger expansion and improvement plan for the carrier in the West Coat hub. Dubber ‘Delta Sky Way at LAX’, Delta’s $1.9 billion plan includes modernising, upgrading and connecting Terminals 2, 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX over a rather lengthy seven years.
From the move, Delta will have access to 23 gates at LAX immediately and will operate alongside many of its airline partners, including Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. Later in the development phase, a secure connection to TBIT will enable seamless access to additional SkyTeam partners, including Air France-KLM, Alitalia, China Eastern, China Southern, Korean Air and also Virgin Australia. The new space will provide all the amenities Delta’s customers have come to expect at LAX, including a private Delta One check-in lounge, brand new state-of-the-art Delta Sky Clubs, and an integrated in-line baggage system. Once completed, the facility will offer convenient passenger flows, more gate-area seating, and a world-class concession program featuring local chefs and restaurants in partnership with Westfield Corporation.
We’re excited to hear about the terminal move, and have always felt the potential Virgin Atlantic / Delta partnership never truly worked in LAX due to the disconnected terminals. As well as great connections, this smart move means the airline can boast the following benefits.
- Faster and more convenient connections to flights operated by Delta’s joint venture and SkyTeam partners in Terminals 2, 3 and TBIT via an airside bus that prevents customers from having to leave and re-enter the secure area
- Less ramp congestion upon arriving and departing LAX
- $332 million in recently completed upgrades at Terminal 2
- New location closer to the LAX entrance for faster and easier access into and out of the airport
- New concessions in Terminals 2 and 3, including popular spots like Shake Shack and Angel City Brewery
Naturally we are expecting the transition week to cause a bit of passenger inconvenience, but no doubt the airline will settle into its new home quickly, and give us some exciting developments over the coming years.
TheDesignAir 