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After years of traveling through outdated terminals, travelers across the U.S. are finally starting to enjoy renovated and expanded airports that look more like something you’d find abroad.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