Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been undergoing a modernization for… well, seemingly forever. As one of the biggest phases of that in terms of the impact on passenger experience, we’re now seeing one terminal close entirely, and it won’t fully reopen for more than a couple of years…
In this post:
LAX Terminal 5 being redeveloped, forcing airlines to move
Terminal 5 at LAX will be closing completely, and it’s expected to be demolished and rebuilt, with a full reopening planned ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics (though a possible partial reopening could happen as of mid-2027).
The terminal has started to be vacated as of October 21, 2025, and will be fully vacated within a week. Terminal 5 is used by American, JetBlue, and Spirit, so those airlines will be relocating:
- JetBlue will operate out of Terminal 1 as of October 21, 2025
- Spirit will operate out of Terminal 2 as of October 22, 2025
- American will operate out of Terminal 4 as of October 28, 2025
One thing that stands out to me is that American has an Admirals Club in Terminal 5, so that will obviously be closed. With all American operations moving to Terminal 4, that also means that lounge capacity will be reduced considerably, so expect American lounges in Terminal 4 (the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge) to be a bit more crowded than usual.
The airport is gaining extra capacity to allow for this terminal closure thanks to the timing coinciding with the opening of the new Midfield Satellite Concourse South, which is an extension of the west gates at Tom Bradly International Terminal (TBIT). This adds eight gates to the airport.
What exactly is changing with LAX Terminal 5?
LAX Terminal 5 is undergoing a $1.7 billion redevelopment. Interestingly, the terminal will maintain 15 gates, so it’s not actually getting bigger, but it’s just supposed to get nicer.
Upgrades to the terminal will include replacing all systems (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), upgrading ticketing, security, baggage claim, and concessions, improving airside connectivity with other terminals, and more.
The project is described as a demolition, so the terminal will largely be torn down and rebuilt. So this sounds like it’ll be more than just a cosmetic refresh. There are a limited number of renderings of the new terminal so far, though it doesn’t look like it’s going to be anything revolutionary.
Bottom line
LAX Terminal 5 is closing, as it’s expected to be demolished and then rebuilt. This is part of the big infrastructure investments we’re seeing at LAX. When the terminal fully reopens in 2028, it’s expected to have the same number of gates that it currently has, though with upgraded facilities. In the meantime, expect some American flights, plus all JetBlue and Spirit flights, to operate from other terminals.
What do you make of these LAX Terminal 5 changes?
Hey Willy - Los Angeles needs to find a solution for its massive homeless problem rather than a remodel job on LAX.
Honolulu says “Hold my Mai Tai”
Considering that the 2028 Olympics will have thousands of empty stadium seats due to foreign fans not attending (to avoid a US fascist ruling regime that serves only to abuse them), 2028 is just a target date, not really a requirement.
Take your time, LAX, no hurry.
Are you referring to the duly elected President of the United States, whom the majority of people voted for?
If so, then doesn't that make you the real fascist, as you refuse to recognize the democratically elected government?
Better be opened by *early* 2028... feels like they're cutting it close for the Olympics. Knowing how projects tend to go in this country, expect delays, which wouldn't be 'great' with everyone visiting later that year for the games. I mean, we've got the World Cup in 2026, so, won't be ready for that. Oh well.
Oh, and the real question... when is AA gonna finally reopen First Dining... C'MON!!
Likely never due to the limited pool of eligible passengers from LAX, that is only expected to decrease further as AA retires the First class cabin from their A321Ts and 777s.
That being said the Flagship lounge concept is dated and insufficient now. They're really just elevated status lounges, no a la carte dining or anything else in particular to bring it up to Polaris and Delta One lounge level.
Will the tunnel remain open so that passengers can get from T6 to T4 airside?
AA will temporarily losing gates, right?
If so, are they cutting any flights?
I take that back. The answer is on the CrankyFlier website
I feel like the T5 AC was often completely empty. I'll miss that, but capacity should be OK.
There is a longer term plan to deal with the U-shaped routing of cars in the terminal area.
AA will operate out of Terminal 4 and TBIT, also a AC is being built near gate 153. Although small its at least something
@ jack -- An Admirals Club near gate 153?! Do you have a link to that, as it's not something I was aware of. Very interesting.
It’s going to be a temp AC- repurposed from the existing gate seating area
I'm very surprised that they're rebuilding the terminal with low ceilings. One of the main issues with terminals built pre 2000 is that they can feel dark and cold due to the low ceiling heights and usually a refurb makes it really hard to solve that issue. If they are demolishing it and rebuilding it from scratch I would've hoped they would use the opportunity to build some volume and make the terminal feel more open.
Cold terminals in LAX isn't a problem I've ever experienced. Too warm more often.
@Ben- additional links with renderings of the terminal.
https://lawa.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1189&meta_id=74980
https://lawa.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1189&meta_id=75009
The current T5 was built for Western Airlines in 86-87. Structurally, it’s newer than T4.
@Ben- here is a link to a recent presentation with more renderings of the new terminal.
https://lawa.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1189&meta_id=75009
It's just nice to see pretty much all of LAXs terminals being rebuilt from the ground up and have a cohesive design unlike JFK, while getting rebuilt just seem to be an afterthought and each terminal seems to be from a different era. JFKs layout is just a mess hence the terminal design just can't seem to blend well together if that makes sense.
It would've been nice if they rebuilt the TBIT headhouse...
It's just nice to see pretty much all of LAXs terminals being rebuilt from the ground up and have a cohesive design unlike JFK, while getting rebuilt just seem to be an afterthought and each terminal seems to be from a different era. JFKs layout is just a mess hence the terminal design just can't seem to blend well together if that makes sense.
It would've been nice if they rebuilt the TBIT headhouse to something more modern to match the terminal, but that's just me.
The TBIT check-in will be undergoing another renovation (albeit cosmetic, but far more extensive than what has been undertaken before).
https://lawa.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1189&meta_id=74980