San Diego's new Terminal 1 shines in big debut, comes with new lounges

After years of traveling through outdated terminals, travelers across the U.S. are finally starting to enjoy renovated and expanded airports that look more like something you'd find abroad.

The new Terminal 1, which has been under construction since 2021, is a long-awaited upgrade for San Diego International Airport (SAN), especially considering that the existing Terminal 1 facility first opened in 1967, well before the events of 9/11 caused drastic changes to security measures at airports.

The current facility features piers of gates with individual security lanes and aging infrastructure that surely wasn't meant for the 21st century.

The good news is that the opening of the new Terminal 1 is just around the corner. That's coming Tuesday, Sept. 23.

At more than a million square feet and with soaring ceilings and modern touches, it'll be a welcome upgrade for anyone who has passed through the old Terminal 1.

When it opens, it'll join other major nationwide airport redevelopment projects, such as those at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Memphis International Airport (MEM), in ushering in a shift for U.S. airports going from worst to first.

In advance of the opening, San Diego officials hosted a preview to get travelers excited about what's to come. The good news? There's a lot to love.

Check-in area

The new Terminal 1 is built adjacent to the existing one, so getting there after it opens will be a seamless experience for travelers.

The first thing you'll see when pulling up to Terminal 1 is a colorful sculpture of a jellyfish designed by Matthew Mazzotta to reflect the city's expansive marine life.

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There's a new, elevated upper-level departures area, which should help alleviate traffic and congestion on terminal roadways. (The old Terminal 1 shares a departures and arrivals curb on the ground level.)

Once inside the check-in hall, you'll be greeted by soaring ceilings, plenty of natural light and even some eye-catching artwork, including "Torrey Pines" by Nova Jiang, hanging above the security checkpoint.

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There are two check-in areas: one at the east end and another at the west end of the departures hall.

All the self-check-in kiosks are common-use, meaning you can use any kiosk, no matter which airline you're flying.

Speaking of airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines will move when the facility opens. Air Canada and WestJet will move into the new Terminal 1 next spring, followed by Delta Air Lines in early 2028 once the third phase of eight new gates opens.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to the new departures area is that there's just one set of bathrooms near the west end of the facility.

At least there are 13 centralized security lanes, so there shouldn't be much of a wait to clear security if you'd prefer to hold it in until you're through.

But even if you're in a rush, be sure to look up above security. The wood veneer adds natural and earthy tones, and the flagship art piece, inspired by Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, helps add a sense of serenity to the security experience.

Another big upgrade (depending on how you feel about the service) coming to the new Terminal 1 is Clear. (The old terminal doesn't offer Clear because of the small size of the individual security checkpoints.)

Once through security, you'll find yourself on an elevated surface just above the gate areas.

Mosaic-lined columns inspired by hues commonly seen during sunrises and sunsets add a nice pop of color to this recomposed space. (Pro tip: Take a look at the terrazzo tiling near the columns — it's color-matched to each respective column.)

From there, it's time to head to your departure gate. The screening checkpoint has two ramps on each side, as well as a short set of stairs for those traveling light.

Departure gates

When it opens, the departures area of the terminal will house 19 operational gates numbered 101 to 119. (Note that gates in Terminal 2 will still be numbered in a two-digit scheme from 20 to 51. Those will inherit the three-digit numbering scheme at the end of the decade, airport officials told me.)

Just 19 gates will be operational at first, as the remaining 11 can only be activated and built after the existing Terminal 1 is demolished and the concrete in the new terminal is reinforced to support aircraft movements.

The gate hold rooms have an open-air feel and offer plenty of seating options, from benches to recliners to sofas.

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Around 50% of the seating options will have direct access to AC power, as well as USB-A and USB-C charging ports. (Airport officials didn't have a great answer when I asked why that number, unfortunately, isn't closer to 100%.)

There are four sets of restrooms in the departures area, all of which feature marble tiling, bright mirrors and plenty of stalls with doors that open inwards. (Stall doors also have color-coded occupancy indicators.)

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While most of the terminal was photo-ready, the concessionaires are still very much working on outfitting their spaces. Don't worry: Everything is still on time for the Sept. 23 opening. I just couldn't experience the joys of buying overpriced airport food during my tour.

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The gate areas have plenty of natural light and offer phenomenal views of the airport's sole runway. Aviation enthusiasts should definitely have their cameras at the ready for great shots of departing and arriving aircraft.

The food court area features an outdoor terrace open year-round to all passengers. It offers 290 seats, some of which have access to power outlets.

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Unfortunately, there are frits baked into the glass to mitigate glare, but peering through them provides fantastic views of Southwest's gates and the San Diego skyline in the distance.

You won't find a moving walkway in the gate area. Airport officials said the hallways aren't wide enough to support one, and even if they were, it'd be a challenge to maintain them.

The good news? My Apple Watch didn't automatically register a workout when walking from security to the farthest gate. That must mean the walk is doable within just a few minutes.

2 new lounges

While the terminal is a major upgrade for all travelers, some select premium flyers will be in for an even more elevated experience.

That's because two new lounges will open up in this terminal. The first, an Escape Lounge, will open in 2027 across from Gate 117.

The upper-level space measures about 18,000 square feet in total, though some of it can be partitioned for an outdoor deck. It remains to be seen how Escape will divide its space, but the good news is that American Express' premium cardholders should have access to this lounge when it opens.

Better yet, Delta will open a new Sky Club on the west side of the terminal when the airline moves into Terminal 1. No further details were given, but the lounge footprint is basically a carbon copy of the Escape Lounge on the east side of the terminal.

Arrivals experience

Arriving passengers are also in for an upgrade with the new terminal. You'll find automated exit doors to speed up your journey, and after leaving the secure area, you'll see the sand-cast wall sculpture celebrating San Diego's aviation history that once hung in the old terminal.

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Baggage claim is located on the ground level. The airport built seven belts and reserved two spaces to increase that number to nine should future demand warrant it.

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Ride-hailing pickups will remain on the outer curb, and the new 5,200-space parking facility is just steps away from the baggage claim area.

Bottom line

San Diego's new Terminal 1 is a major upgrade for travelers. It'll offer a modernized experience on par with some of the nicest airport terminals across the country.

Even after it opens, some more work needs to be done, including demolishing the existing facility, adding more gates and opening two lounges.

But when all is said and done, I'm sure San Diego travelers will quickly forget what used to be one of the oldest and most dated airport terminals across the country.

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