Insight
 

I'm not one to post, but I've come across a document that gives insight to the workings of international flights at LAX. As some of posted about their negative experiences at LAX (being bused to TBIT, long walks to different terminals), we should note that the operators of the airports and the airlines sometimes have little latitude over those types of operations. This document highlights the challenges LAX experiences with US Customs and Border Patrol.


http://lawa.granicus.com/MetaViewer....&meta_id=25168

Delta rep made a presentation at my work today. He said DL is looking to complete the move to T2 and T3 by Summer 2017, pending LA city council approval on renovation plan and compensation to other airlines, which Delta expects the city council will approve in May or June.

After that, there will be a phased-move with airlines moving one at a time from T2 to TBIT, and T3 to T5 or T6 while Delta shifts some flight operations to T3, until all the flights are moved by Summer 2017. Renovation (probably just interim reno) of T3 will begin as soon as Delta has a lease on the terminal. A complete rebuild of T3 will have to wait until MSC is done so Delta can temporary use some TBIT North and/or TBIT MSC gates.

To facilitate transit to Virgin Atlantic and other SkyTeam partners prior to the rebuild, the plan is to have air-side bus connection between T2, T3, and TBIT until T3 rebuild is completed.

After stepping around the T5 reno for a long time I won't be looking forward to doing the same at T2/3 for another couple of years, just another reason to look elsewhere for my travel.

Now that the new "upgrade" is online and the chance of being moved "up" to a Comfort+ middle seat has reared it's head on a future reservation I'm getting tired of playing this shell game with DL.

That sounds horrendous to me. I hate buses at airports. It also seems wasteful to keep investing money (in SCs, premium check in lounges, etc.) only to abandon the facilities.

Agreed, though LAX is exceptional in terms of profitability and traffic. DL has decided to stake a claim there, like NYC, which I think is smart. T 5 has been bursting at the seams since the merger.

Delta only spent $11M on their last LAX renovation. The rest was LAWA spending on terminal infrastructure that will be reused by whomever moves into T5.

It is also possible that some of the things purchased could be moved, i.e. branded signs, furniture, etc.

Assuming the move to T-2/3 happens, this makes sense for DL long term to be closer to TBIT, getting more gates, and being able to add more destinations out of LAX.

It is absolutely going to stink for another couple of years, but if this can be DL's home in LAX for the foreseeable future, I think DL has to put up with some headaches to make the next 10-20 years more successful.

I don't think that branded signs and furniture are an appreciable fraction of even the $11.5M Delta spent.

My guess (and it's just a guess) is that DL is effectively paying for the money LAWA put into Terminal 5 in rent payments; I would also guess that if they're paying for the renovations/reconstruction in T2/3, they won't pay higher rent for the privilege (otherwise they wouldn't be moving). Indeed, DL must really like the long term outlook in T2/3 (presumably mostly the extra gates, although I wouldn't be surprised if costs like rent play a role in the calculations as well) to put up with leaving a pretty decent terminal for another several years of working through construction.

NOTE TO SELF: Avoid LAX connections involving DL for at least the next five years.

T3 is not great, and I'm being nice. What's worse here is that for some CA cities, the only option is on UA (or AA) via LAX. For example, I'm flying this weekend JFK-LAX-SBA, and I bought the ticket LAX-SBA separately from UA. If they move to T3, that connection will become a huge PITA, and that's if you can connect airside. Connecting landside, especially given LAX traffic and security lines, is not really a viable option. If that happens I will have to greatly reduce my flying JFK-LAX on DL, as I'm often headed to SBA.

You wouldn't want to, you know, withhold judgement until we actually know what the situation is like, would you?

How can T-2 and T-3 be worse than T-5 and T-6. T-5 and T-6 are pretty dumpy and the hallway between the two terminals is depressing. The new digs can't be worse.

I'd much prefer to walk through the tunnel (or ride on the electric golf cart) than take a bus or be forced to walk landside.