AA: $1.6 B renovations to LAX Terminals 4 & 5 (began 17 Oct 2018)
#287
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Dec 2009
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At the LAWA meeting yesterday they presented the T5 rennovation plan which is basically a "down to the studs" rennovation costing a total of $1.7BN. In order to get the entire rennovation done prior to the 2028 Olympics they intend to shut down T5 completely in October of 2025, so this means AA is moving its T5 operations somewhere in 9 months. They didn't specify where the current T5 airlines would move other than "three other locations". In addition to MSC South (which is supposed to be done by Q4 2025) I would guess another one is MSC North, but that's just a guess. No idea where the third one is. I guess it could be TBIT given that international flights remain subdued. Worst case for AA would be moving some mainline operations to Nest/Nest Area. No basis for that other than speculation.
FWIW, the T5 rennovation will not change the # or type of gates, so it looks like the Nest will not be moving to T5 anytime soon.

FWIW, the T5 rennovation will not change the # or type of gates, so it looks like the Nest will not be moving to T5 anytime soon.

#288

Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: New York, USA
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Taxied past T4 last week. They have completely demolished the remaining old section between the Admirals Club and the newly opened gates at the end. The original plans had them doing this in two phases (the west half and the east half) but I am guessing they figured it made more sense to accelerate the project at the short term cost of a couple gates.. Not sure what the revised timeline is, but I would think this decision saves at least 6 months.
#289

Join Date: Sep 2023
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Source:
#290




Join Date: Nov 2011
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In June there were insiders posting on X that B6 was relocating to 3 common-use gates in T1 in October.
Source: https://www.threads.com/@mrerussell/...hared-with-sou
Source: https://www.threads.com/@mrerussell/...hared-with-sou
#291




Join Date: Oct 2015
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T5 Closes November 1st
At the most recent LAWA meeting they approved the closure and complete demolition of T5.
T5 is closing on November 1st.
When asked about the current airlines at T5, LAWA said that:
1. Jetblue is going to Terminal 1
2. Spirit will check in at Terminal 2 and fly out of MSC South
3. American will "fly more out of TBIT"
A couple other interesting points:
1. In response to a question the LAWA CEO said it is "not yet decided" whether the incumbent airlines will return to T5 when it is complete.
2. In mid-2027 they will determine if the project is on schedule enough to complete in time for the olympics, if it is not on schedule they will switch to a Plan B and only open 5 gates, instead of 15, in time for the Olympics.

T5 is closing on November 1st.
When asked about the current airlines at T5, LAWA said that:
1. Jetblue is going to Terminal 1
2. Spirit will check in at Terminal 2 and fly out of MSC South
3. American will "fly more out of TBIT"
A couple other interesting points:
1. In response to a question the LAWA CEO said it is "not yet decided" whether the incumbent airlines will return to T5 when it is complete.
2. In mid-2027 they will determine if the project is on schedule enough to complete in time for the olympics, if it is not on schedule they will switch to a Plan B and only open 5 gates, instead of 15, in time for the Olympics.

#293




Join Date: Oct 2015
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The original plans for the T4 concourse included a big expansion of existing Admirals Club/Flagship lounge space, but latest plans/renders indicate that space has either been completely eliminated or scale back dramatically (perhaps because they decided to build out the T5 headhouse space instead).
#294



Join Date: Mar 2010
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T5 was one of my favorite lounges.
Never crowded, good flow/design with lots of distinct seating areas, decent views, very well-located in the terminal (and even for T4.)
Sure the design and food was standard AA, but something about the T5 lounge, to me, made it EXACTLY what a standard domestic airport lounge should be. Functional in every way.
Sad to see it go away.
Never crowded, good flow/design with lots of distinct seating areas, decent views, very well-located in the terminal (and even for T4.)
Sure the design and food was standard AA, but something about the T5 lounge, to me, made it EXACTLY what a standard domestic airport lounge should be. Functional in every way.
Sad to see it go away.
#295


Join Date: Jan 2011
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Maybe have the dining section still exclusive to Flagship people so they can get their spirits and better food. But the seating will help ease AC T4 overcrowding.
#296




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#297




Join Date: Nov 2011
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T4 AC is already largely unusable with overcrowding. I think they should really consider doing away with the Flagship lounge and combing it in the meantime. That side is often empty. I get that will come as a mild rub to those who are in the Flagship side. But if memory serves they did the same during COVID for "social distancing"
Maybe have the dining section still exclusive to Flagship people so they can get their spirits and better food. But the seating will help ease AC T4 overcrowding.
Maybe have the dining section still exclusive to Flagship people so they can get their spirits and better food. But the seating will help ease AC T4 overcrowding.
#298




Join Date: Apr 2008
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I've heard they are building a temp Admirals Club space at TBIT? Anyone see that yet?
Should there be a FT Meetup for the T5 closure and send-off?
Should there be a FT Meetup for the T5 closure and send-off?
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,874
Still surprised that this entire project will take some 10 years total time finish.
#300


Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
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Posts: 7,376
correct, there will be a temporary AC in TBIT as AA will be substantially increasing TBIT ops during T5 construction. I’m a little surprised because just feels cheaper to allow members to access the OW lounge which they’ve done in the past.

