I had some extra time during my last trip to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and checked out the new midfield satellite concourse in the Tom Bradly International Terminal. It’s a beautiful new addition that further transforms LAX into a world-class airport.
Beautiful New LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse
- The project cost $1.6BN and adds 12 new gates to the Tom Bradley International Terminal
- The new concourse can be reached by bus or by foot
- Interestingly, low-cost carriers like Allegiant, Frontier, and Sun Country use this terminal and offer bus service between the new concourse and Terminal 1
- Air France and KLM are also using the new concourse
Inside the Villaraigosa Pavilion of the Bradley Terminal, there is a new sign next to Petrosian Caviar directing passengers to gates 201-225.
I followed the escalator downstairs into a long tunnel with moving walkways and mood lighting. It is about 1,000 feet (nearly a quarter mile).
At the end of the tunnel, I found a pair of escalators leading upstairs to the new concourse.
Atop the first landing was bus ports, which are currently being used to take pasnsfers flying on budget carriers to terminal 1 to collect baggage.
Atop the second landing was beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows and a concessionaire.
The terminal stretched right and left, with expansive gate areas as far as the eye could see. Restrooms are open, but other restaurants and stores are not.
After taking in the new terminal, I headed downstairs and boarded a bus for terminal 1. Not only did that save me plenty of time reaching LAXit, but it gave me a chance to enjoy some stunning tarmac views on the way to T1.
By the way, the landside-connector linking Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is now complete as well. Soon, all terminals at LAX will be linked on the secure side (post security).
CONCLUSION
I’m proud of my home airport for the remarkable metamorphosis it has undergone over the last decade. Once an embarrassment to Los Angeles and the Unitd States (as a port of first entry), it is fast-becoming a world class facility and will shortly have direct Metro access for the first time. Now if we can only meaningfully address the traffic problem, which seems even worse now than it was before the pandemic…
“It is about 1,000 feet (nearly half a mile).”
Did miles get shorter since I was in school? 🙂
No lounges at the new satellite concourse?
Nope.
What do you expect? There’s not even a Priority pass lounge at LAX.
@Matthew Wow I actually beat you to something in aviation! I flew in from Paris in June
Not as warm as the main international terminal, too bad – they did a great job with that one.
This ‘direct metro access’ connection is great for some employees, but misleading for tourists and biz travelers.
It doesn’t accomplish much for them routing over several stops to a terminus somewhere between Culver City and USC, then a change of trains and more local stops to DTLA or Santa Monica. And that’s after having to slog on a people mover.
Nothing close to world class about that. Express along the 110 to DTLA and up the PCH to Santa Monica would be world class but…well..not very feasible.
So many photos are nice during these days of the pandemic. With the pandemic, there is no chance that I can see the terminal in person. Thank you, Matthew.
Matthew, what are the Steel curtains about? Are they used when there are no planes at the pier?
Used in case of emergencies to seal off areas.
@Matthew, is the TBIT connector longer than the T2 connector at LHR? T2A to T2B (and back) at LHR takes forever, but I have no idea about its length.
It’s a bit like the ‘C’ concourse at LHR Terminal 5
AMERICAN AIRLINES has the utilize’s the MAJORITY of the gates and has the most departure’s on a daily basis.
AMERICAN ALREADY HAS A BEAUTIFUL CONVINIENT BRIDGE that connects to terminal 4 and continues into terminal 5.
YOU “FORGOT TO MENTION THIS”
LOL
Calm down, Dougie. There’s no need to be so defensive.
$1.6 BILLION. Un-frigging-believable.
The tunnel reminds me of the tunnel in terminal 1 of Narita.
I am glad that LAX added the capacity but I anticipate that some flights will be delayed caused by those not paying attention and/or slow people coming from the main concourse.
My recent LAX > DCA flight on DL in late July got moved over to this terminal at the last minute, and I had to shuttle over from Terminal 2. Having never flown out of LAX internationally before, I assumed this was just the regular TBIT. Didn’t realize it was anything special at the time, though it was beautiful. I was just annoyed there wasn’t a SkyClub near my gate to get breakfast and the shuttle over was filled with ULCC passengers (you know the type).
So racist… sad!
“ Once an embarrassment to Los Angeles and the Unitd States”
Now if we could just do something about Los Angeles being an embarrassment to the rest of the United States.
A fairly stupid statement about a leading global city – but SOP for someone from South Alabama or North Dakota or thereabouts
Hey the bully shows up, missed you. Was that you in the ape mask in LA throwing an egg at Larry Elder the other day? Or was that you turning away the 8 African Americans away from a restaurant in NYC for refusal to show their papers last weekend? Seems your city is the one acting like Alabama…..in the 60’s with the racism against the largest group of unvaccinated by percentage in America.
You and your “global” city, It’s an American city and it’s an embarrassment to much of the country with its crime and homelessness. But I’m sure that’s your vision for all of America. Liberals like you always look down on average Americans, thinking they could never be as rich and successful as you. Your think you are special and they need your vision to succeed.
Have a great weekend! I enjoy knowing there are actually people like you out there.
Oh, look! Another bitter conservative putting forth the laziest of “arguments” who:
a) calls a major American city an “embarrassment,” when most people who live there CHOOSE to live there, and it hosts FAR MORE domestic and international visitors than any other place that they live
b) stereotypes “liberals” (not to mention categorizing people as “liberals” because they likely don’t agree with him — lots of people here in L.A. are open-minded moderates, pal)
c) stereotypes Angelenos as people who “look down on average Americans.” Inferiority complex: Party of One, please!
d) “Your think you are special and need your vision to succeed.” WTF?
e) As the only city in the WORLD to be selected to host the Olympics three times, we are indeed a “global” city. More than 100 native languages are spoken here, and we continue to be one of the top international destinations for visitors.
Los Angeles has enjoyed a relatively LOW per capita crime rate compared to other major U.S. cities, including those run by Republicans and in red states. Same goes for homelessness. This is a national problem, and our temperate climate has attracted a disproportionate number of unsheltered people. Also, Texas and other states have purchased one-way bus tickets to SoCal for people they didn’t want living there. Shall we send them back? Maybe you can set up a shed in your backyard for some.
Bottom line is, this is a choice destination for visiting or living. If YOU don’t like it, don’t come here. You won’t be missed. But thinking your opinion is some sort of “fact” makes your statement that “you think you’re special” particularly ironic.
Thanks for the laugh, clown!
It’s clear you’re an ignorant fool, esp. implying that Black Americans are the largest unvaccinated group.
Will let a recent poll do the heavy lifting: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/nbc-news-poll-shows-demographic-breakdown-vaccinated-u-s-n1277514
Who (unsurprisingly) is bringing up the ugly rear? Republicans who support Trump more than party: 46 percent. Look at you, clearly a (vaxxed) minority in your own group!
BTW you haven’t mentioned what bastion of leading Americana you’re from…guessing it’s one of those Red states w/ a bottom 10 vax rate.
This post gave me PTSD. I’m still writing up my Flyertalk post, but there is no way that is a 1/4 mile. We made out Air Tahiti Nui flight last month by 45 seconds out of gate 206 after a debacle in LAS that had us cancel our AA leg and have to take a SW flight that landed at T1 with a checked bag at 10:45pm and departing TBIT at 11:55pm. That satelite terminal is at least 3/4-1 mile from TSA to 206. Ugh!!!
130 million per gate. Cool.
I find myself trying to transit through LAX more, now that UA’s renovations are all done (avoided LAX from 2014-2017) and the Polaris Lounge is complete. Good job LAX and all of the airlines who have made investments into their infrastructure.
“Villaraigosa Pavilion of the Bradley Terminal.” Always interesting to me how politicians in the USA have absolutely no embarrassment naming things they control after living politicians . . . as if there are no human beings except politicians who have accomplished anything worthy of having their names on airports or other infrastructure. No artists, writers, scientists, philosophers, builders musicians . . . just politicians. So gross I think.