Skip to content

San Diego airport signs off on Terminal 1 replacement plan

Jan. 10, 2020
6 min read
San Diego airport signs off on Terminal 1 replacement plan
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

San Diego International Airport is ready to move forward with a $3 billion plan to replace its aging Terminal 1, a move that will bring an upgraded experience to nearly half of the airport's travelers.

An updated environmental plan for the proposed 30-gate replacement terminal plus related airfield and ground transportation improvements was approved by the local Airport Authority on Thursday. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported no objections to the plan were raised.

"The new Terminal 1 would be a more modern and efficient facility with up to 30 gates – 11 more than the existing Terminal 1," according to the Airport Development Plan. "It would offer more gate area seating, restaurants and shops, as well as additional security checkpoints with more lanes and a host of energy-efficiency upgrades.”

Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!

A conceptual rendering of the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. (Image by San Diego International Airport)
A conceptual rendering of the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. (Image by San Diego International Airport)

Work on the first phase of the new Terminal 1, which will replace the 19 existing gates on a one-for-one basis, could begin by the end of 2021 and open in 2024 under the airport's latest plan. The remaining 11 gates could open by 2026, depending on demand.

Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier in San Diego, is the primary tenant of Terminal 1. Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines also operate from the terminal.

A map showing the different elements of San Diego International Airport's new development plan. (Image by San Diego International Airport)
A map showing the different elements of San Diego airport's new development plan. (Image by San Diego International Airport)

Terminal 2 at San Diego airport, which houses all other airlines, is unchanged under the development plan. That facility first opened in 1979 and was last expanded in 2013.

This is the second time the San Diego airport has put forward its plans to replace Terminal 1. The first time, however, the plan was roundly rejected by a plethora of local agencies — including the City of San Diego itself — for failing to address increased traffic congestion to and from the airport. As a result, the airport went back to the drawing board to come up with a more amenable plan for getting people in and out.

"We need to upgrade Terminal 1 and we need to do it in the right way," said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer in November 2018. "The Airport Authority committed to reworking its development plan to fully analyze transportation solutions both inside and outside its footprint, including enhancing transit connectivity and reducing traffic congestion."

Sign up for our daily newsletter

The newly approved proposal includes dedicated lanes for vehicles heading the the airport, as well as a space between Terminals 1 and 2 set aside for a future transit station at the airport.

A conceptual rendering a possible new transit station at San Diego airport. (Image by San Diego International Airport)
A conceptual rendering a possible new transit station at San Diego airport. (Image by San Diego International Airport)

San Diego's regional planning authority is studying four different options to connect the airport to the region's Trolley light rail and commuter rail network. Alternatives include a people mover — like the AirTrains that serve Newark (EWR) and New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) airports — between the terminals and a new train station serving the Trolley, Amtrak and regional commuter rail, as well as an extension from the existing Trolley lines.

Terminal 1 at San Diego airport opened with an annual design capacity of 2.5 million in 1967, according to the airport. Today, the terminal serves more than 12 million passengers a year.

Featured image by ullstein bild via Getty Images

TPG featured card

NEW BENEFIT! TAKEOFF15!
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

1 - 3X points
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Annual Fee

$250

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: 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.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: 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.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees