LAX Has a New Plan to Get Passengers out of Buses and Into a Concourse
Los Angeles International airport has a gate problem. More flights come and go from the airport than it has gates to handle, with buses used for some flights arriving and departing from the busy Tom Bradley International Terminal.
LAX, the second busiest airport in the US, has big plans to reduce the number of flights that need to park remotely. The first will be the new 12-gate Midfield Satellite Concourse North that is due to open next summer. Longer term, proposals include a new concourse 0 and terminal 9 on the eastern end of the terminal complex.
"Due to recent growth in passenger activity - as well as ongoing renovation efforts throughout LAX that requires the closure of other gates - there is an urgency to deliver more domestic gates in the near term," says the airport operator Los Angeles World Airports in the agenda for its Aug. 1 board meeting.
LAWA proposes building the Midfield Satellite Concourse South as a temporary near-term solution for the airport's gate needs. The proposed concourse would have eight gates designed for domestic flights operated by up to Airbus A320 family or Boeing 737 family-sized aircraft, the agenda says.
The southern satellite concourse was previously envisioned as a nearly-identical extension of the northern satellite with soaring ceilings and international arrivals capabilities. However, such a project would take significant time and investment, including the relocation of American Airlines maintenance hangar at the airport, LAWA says.
The proposed south satellite project would “meet demand for aircraft gates at LAX while modernizing other areas of the airport” in a cost-effective and timely manner, according to the operator.
The two-level prefabricated facility would be connected inside security to the under construction north satellite, allowing passengers to use the concessions and airline lounges in the northern facility.
LAWA spokesman Heath Montgomery says construction of the south satellite is due to begin in 2020 with opening scheduled for early 2023.
LAX is in the midst of a boom in traffic. In the past decade, passenger numbers jumped by more than half to 87.5 million in 2018, airport data shows.
During that decade, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have all jockeyed for the top spot at LAX. Each has maxed out their respective gate facilities to the point where executives at American and United claim that lack of space is stymying their growth plans at the airport.
Delta took an alternative approach. In 2017, the airline moved to terminals 2 and 3 providing it with space to grow at LAX in exchange for leading a nearly $1.9 billion redevelopment of the facilities.
LAWA has not said what airlines will operate from either the north satellite or proposed south satellite. However, considering the investments that the airport's large operators are making in their respective terminal facilities, the south concourse would likely house domestic airlines with a smaller presence at LAX.
The operator recommends to the board that architectural firm Woods Bagot, which was part of the team that designed the new Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco (SFO) airport, design the south satellite.
LAWA was not immediately available to comment on the south satellite proposal.
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- 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.
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Rewards Rate
| 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)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.