Source: LAX

  • A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the new Terminals 1 and 2 connector bridge at LAX.

A new bridge connecting Terminals 1 and 2 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will improve passenger flow, create an additional way to access select gates and increase guest access to food and retail concessions.

Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners Karim Webb and Nicholas Roxborough, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Erbacci, and other airport partners officially opened the Terminals 1 and 2 connector bridge with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 12. The connector allows passengers in the post-security-screening area free movement between the terminals without having to be rescreened at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint.

“Enabling the long-sought-after passenger connectivity of our terminals behind screening is an important step in the ongoing modernization of LAX,” said Beatrice Hsu, President, Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. “This final element of the Terminal 1 extension is an integral component of elevating the guest experience, while providing options to our guests for how they access all that our terminals have to offer.”

The $13.7 million bridge allows passengers in the post-security screening area to move between both Terminals 1 and 2 without having to be rescreened at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint. It also improves passenger flow, creates an additional way to access select gates, shopping and amenities. For instance, now travelers flying out of Terminal 2 can be screened at either of the Terminal 1 checkpoints, and simply walk through the new corridor to access their gate. Likewise, a passenger flying out of Terminal 2 may have a favorite restaurant in Terminal 1, which they can now access through this new hallway, without having to be re-screened by TSA Security.

“The newly opened corridor linking Terminals 1 and 2 moves us one step closer to our goal of having our terminals fully connected post-security” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. “Having multiple entry points to the secure side of the airport eliminates the need to re-screen passengers who are heading to another terminal, will help reduce lines and will provide more options for our guests in terms of retail, concessions and other important amenities.”

The new bridge connects the extension of Terminal 1 that opened in May to the east side of Terminal 2. The extension of Terminal 1 also includes a bus port for a dedicated shuttle with service to and from the West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal. Guests who are flying on airlines with ticketing in Terminal 1 also will benefit from the new connector, as they can now access additional food, beverage and retail options in Terminal 2.

Construction of the connector began in the fall of 2020, and was completed in late October. The designer and builder was Hensel Phelps Construction Corp., which built the new portion of Terminal 1 and also renovated the remainder of the terminal between 2014 and 2018.

Completion of the final link to connect all of LAX’s terminals post-security is anticipated in late 2023.