LAX Counts Down to Midfield Concourse Opening in 2020
Los Angeles is in the midst of a multi-billion dollar program to improve and expand the second busiest airport in the U.S.
Works at LAX range from the new $2 billion Midfield Satellite Concourse under construction west of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, to Delta Air Lines' $1.8 billion upgrade of terminals 2 and 3, and Alaska Airlines' $200 million investment in terminal 6.
The $14 billion in projects at LAX are part of what Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says is a program to "make LAX work, work for you, work for our visitors and work for everybody," during a tour of the midfield concourse construction today.
The midfield project follows the redevelopment of the Tom Bradley terminal that was completed in 2013. The concourse will act as a critical release valve adding 12 much-needed gates and parking positions for up to 15 aircraft to the gate-tight terminal complex at LAX.
Executives at some the airport's largest carriers, including American Airlines and United Airlines, have previously cited a lack of available gate space as restricting their ability to grow in Los Angeles.
"Today, we don't have the gates and the facilities – yet – to really grow and compete with Delta, American and Southwest," said United president Scott Kirby in March 2017.
The lack of space to add more flights has not stopped airlines from investing in passenger improvements at LAX. American opened a new Flagship Lounge for premium passengers in late 2017, and United followed them opening a Polaris lounge earlier this year.
Once the midfield concourse is completed, LAX officials will be able to focus on other terminal expansion projects including the proposed terminal 9 and concourse 0.
LAX officials have not said what airlines will use the new midfield facility when it opens next year. However, foreign and domestic carriers with a smaller presence at the airport are expected to be among those who make the move.
One airline officials have asked to move is Hawaiian Airlines. However, in a filing with US regulators earlier this year, the carrier raised questions of bias against small carriers by the airport in the relocation process.
Hawaiian carried just 1.2% of the 85.8 million scheduled passengers that passed through LAX in 2018, U.S. Department of Transportation data provided by Diio by Cirium shows. By comparison, the airport's largest airline American carried 19.1% of passengers, followed by Delta with 16% and United with 14.3%.
LAX was second only to Atlanta's 104 million passengers in traffic last year, the DOT data shows.
The midfield concourse and terminal projects are only part of the work underway at LAX. Construction began in March on a new automated people mover that will connect the airport's terminals with a new intermodal transportation center and Los Angeles' burgeoning light rail system.
The people mover is scheduled to open in 2023.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.