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The meet-and-greet area at LAX received a major upgrade. // © 2010 Los Angeles World Airports |
On May 26, Los Angeles city officials celebrated the completion of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) Renovation Project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The three-year project, which cost $737 million, was enacted in February 2007 in order to improve traveling throughout the seemingly outdated terminal.
“The TBIT is the first and last impression 10 million travelers have of Los Angeles every year,” said mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. “This renovation project improves the travelers’ experience as they pass through LAX, while enhancing passenger safety by reducing congestion in the airline check-in lobbies and on the curbside. ”
Major improvements include the addition of a new $140 million checked-baggage security screening facility that will reduce airline check-in congestion and the renovation of two boarding gates that can accommodate the Airbus AA380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Some $22.9 million of the project budget was also committed to improving the overall passenger experience. High-definition, flat-screen televisions and entertainment displays have been installed in the baggage claim area and public art installations were commissioned for the Arrivals Lobby, for example. Airlines also contributed more than $20 million in funds to build new larger first- and business-class lounges. Now, the TBIT will boast four airline lounges, instead of 16 individual lounges. Amenities now include Wi-Fi access, individual work stations, business center services and shower facilities.
In addition to improving the overall travel experience at TBIT, the project has also attained Silver LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Building) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, this first-ever for a U.S. airport renovation project.
More than 30 airlines fly in and out of TBIT and, last year, the terminal served more than 8 million international passengers. LAX is the third busiest airport in the U.S. and the eighth busiest worldwide.
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