While it was billed as "LAX Appreciation Day", it was more like "LAX A380 operators promotion day"... not that I'm complaining QF was kind enough to tow their idle A380 to Gate 150 for people to take photos.

The tour started at Lot E when we boarded the LAX bus to TBIT. In addition to the normal 35ft long NABI buses, LAWA deployed their NABI 60ft articulated buses that are normally reserved for airfield operations to shuttle people to/from the event.

After checking in, we were escorted thru a nondescript fire door next to Daily Grill on the upper level and into the new TBIT Departure Hall (aka Villaraigorsa Pavilion). The first impression is... it looks a little like a Westfield Mall, which is not by accident as Westfield is the operator of the new TBIT (which I shall now dub the Westfield LAX Mall... ). Large airy departure hall flanked by rows of retail stores. You can see the architecture details in the roof as well.




There are 3 levels in the departure area as you can see in this photo...


The food court was a big disappointment... In a city known for rich selection of Asian and Mexican food, TBIT complete lack both. No Thai food. No noodle places. No dumpling house. No Korean BBQ. No Oaxaca Mexican. No Japanese bento place. No Bahmi sandwich. No tamale stand. Only chain restaurants and corporate franchises. A Big Fat Fail









The north concourse was right next to the food court but it was closed off to public tour



CX77W was parked at Gate 130. While the departure hall aka Westfield LAX is not open yet, looks some of the gates are already in service. I guess you would depart via the old departure hall?



View of the tarmac from Gate 130



Here comes the QF A380...



People rushing to the south concourse catch up with the A380



The only food place in the south concourse appears to be Vanilla bake shop... I'm sure more will open eventually



Every A380 operators at LAX (QF, AF, SQ, CZ, KE) had their own promotion area in the south concourse.







I didn't take a photo of the AF display because too many creepy guys with zoom lenses were trying to take photos of a young AF flight attendant. She looked really uncomfortable. The CZ display had a swarm of Chinese Consulate delegates so I decided to move on.