Delta's Moving Terminals at LAX in May — and It Could Cause a Headache for Travelers
Traveling through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for five days in May could turn out to be hectic for travelers, and may be a situation worth avoiding if at all possible. Between May 12 and May 17, Delta Air Lines is moving from Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX. But with that move, 19 other carriers will also be forced to pack up and transport to other terminals.
The airport has been expanding and renovating many of its terminals in recent months. We detailed some of the changes, including the new construction of a new mid-field terminal, in this post. With Delta's move to Terminals 2 and 3 in May, the carrier is investing $1.9 billion over the next four years to upgrade, which will give it seven extra gates and easier access to the international terminal. In addition, once Delta's upgrade project is completed in the two new terminals, the structure between Terminals 2 and 3 will feature a new check-in facility, screening area and a Delta Sky Club with a sky deck.
According to the Los Angeles Times, airlines have swapped terminals at LAX before, but never on the scale of what's planned for when Delta moves and 19 other airlines are impacted. The Atlanta-based carrier will foot the $60 million bill for the relocation of the displaced airlines.
Here's what the new set-up will look like as of May 17, 2017:
You can get the full details at the airport's renovation website. Since 19 airlines are participating in the terminal shuffling, it's sure to create some confusion during the five-day moving period. While a majority of the airlines that have to vacate are moving to the Tom Bradley International Terminal, some are moving to other terminals.
Here's how each of the terminals will break down as of May 17, 2017:
- Terminal 1: Southwest (check in and departures)
- Terminal 2: Delta, Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia (check in), Volaris (check in)
- Terminal 3: Avianca (check in), Copa (check in), Delta, Interjet (check in), WestJet
- Terminal 4: American
- Terminal 5: Allegiant (arrivals/departures), American, Frontier (arrivals/departures), JetBlue, Hawaiian, Spirit, Sun Country (arrivals/departures)
- Terminal 6: Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant (check in), Boutique, Frontier (check in), Great Lakes, Mokulele Airlines, Sun Country (check in), Virgin America, XL Airways France
- Terminal 7: United/United Express
- Terminal 8: United/United Express
- Tom Bradley International Terminal: Aeroflot, Air Berlin, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Alitalia, All Nippon Airways, Asiana, Austrian, Avianca (arrivals/departures), British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Copa (arrivals/departures), El Al Israel, Emirates Airline, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Hainan Airlines, Iberia, Interjet (arrivals/departures), Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, LAN Airlines, LOT, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air, Philippines Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airlines, Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore, Southwest (international arrivals), SWISS, Thomas Cook, Transaero Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Australia (arrivals/departures), Volaris (arrivals/departures), WOW Air
If you're traveling through LAX between May 12 and May 17, the move may cause some confusion — and some inconveniences — in your journey. After the billion-dollar renovations and new construction is complete, the airport is sure to look flashier, but in the meantime, the moving could get a little messy.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees