I toured Delta Air Lines' swanky new $2.3 billion terminal at LAX. Get ready for a better pre-flight experience — it's easily one of the best in the US.

Taylor RainsJan 12, 2024, 17:30 IST

Delta has spent $2.3 billion on a brand new terminal at its LAX hub.Taylor Rains/Insider

Delta Air Lines has built a brand new $2.3 billion terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.
Among the upgrades: a Delta One check-in lobby and a Sky Club overlooking the Hollywood Hills.

After six years and millions of hours of labor, Delta Air Lines has officially completed the last phase of its $2.3 billion overhaul effort at Los Angeles International Airport.

The changes started in May 2017 when the carrier moved its huge operation from Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3 — a massive process that only took about 10 days. One year later, the "Delta Sky Way at LAX" project led by Delta and the Los Angeles World Airports formally began.

The following five years saw the creation of a centralized check-in lobby, security checkpoint, and baggage claim area by combining Terminals 2 and 3. The airside gates, seating areas, and concessions were also modernized, with Delta even building a swanky new Sky Club and an exclusive Delta One check-in lounge with its own private TSA lane.

But, the most significant effort made — and probably the one most welcomed by travelers — is the new walkway that directly connects Terminal 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B).

The connector negates the need for domestic travelers to bus to their international flights, which had been a major pain point among Delta customers.

The complete transformation was unveiled on August 30 and Delta passengers can now access every part of the revamped Terminal 3, minus one gate still under construction.

To get a sense of the final look, Insider spent a day touring nearly every corner of the 1.2-million-square-foot space — take a look.

Delta passengers will start their journey at the consolidated check-in area in Terminal 3, which is a significant improvement compared to the airline's bland old Terminal 2 lobby.

The old T2 (top) and the new T3 (bottom) check-in areas.Taylor Rains/Insider

Delta passengers will start their journey at the consolidated check-in area in Terminal 3, which is a significant improvement compared to the airline's bland old Terminal 2 lobby.

Unlike the basic counters still lining the old lobby, the new check-in area features dozens of kiosks, colorful Delta-branded signage, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Delta and its partner airlines will offer customers a brighter, upgraded experience at the LAX check-in.Taylor Rains/Insider

The most impressive innovation, though, is the giant 250-foot-long display stretching the entire length of the lobby.

The display also indicates the various lines for things like bag drop.Taylor Rains/Insider

For those that don't need check-in service and only need to drop bags, this can be done in that main lobby via an agent or at a dedicated self-service queue. But, I suggest going one floor up to save time.

Taylor Rains/Insider

For those that don't need check-in service and only need to drop bags, this can be done in that main lobby via an agent or at a dedicated self-service queue. But, I suggest going one floor up to save time.

While most Delta passengers will use the main check-in lobby, there is a "secret" Delta One check-in building hidden below the main lobby.

A spokesperson told Insider that Delta One customers can't yet pull straight up to the entrance, but it it something that will be available soon.Taylor Rains/Insider

Located on the lower arrivals level at Terminal 3, the exclusive space is like walking into an upscale hotel, far from the chaos of a major international airport.

An attendant will serve snacks and drinks to customers.Taylor Rains/Insider

Playing music at the entrance was a harpist, while a counter filled with snacks and drinks lined the back wall.

The lobby was big, and the windows were fogged so no one curbside could see in.Taylor Rains/Insider

Every aspect of check-in can be done in the Delta One lobby, including luggage drop and security — the latter being a completely private experience.

Beside this hallway is where the baggage belt connects to the Delta One lobby, meaning customer luggage goes straight into the security system.Taylor Rains/Insider

After clearing security, the VIP customers will take an elevator directly up to the brand new Sky Club lounge located inside the terminal, which officially opened in April 2022.

The Sky Club's VIP entrance is separate from the one that connects to the terminal.Taylor Rains/Insider

After clearing security, the VIP customers will take an elevator directly up to the brand new Sky Club lounge located inside the terminal, which officially opened in April 2022.

Having visited several of the Sky Club lounges across Delta's network, the new one at LAX is easily my favorite thanks to its myriad food options, various bars, and ample seating.

The regular Sky Club entrance is the top left photo.Taylor Rains/Insider

Having visited several of the Sky Club lounges across Delta's network, the new one at LAX is easily my favorite thanks to its myriad food options, various bars, and ample seating.

Also available were showers, which were huge and included towels, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

All of the bathrooms had a different backsplash in the shower.Taylor Rains/Insider

But, what sets this Sky Club apart from others — including its sister one also at LAX — is the outdoor deck that overlooks the tarmac and the Hollywood Hills.

The deck is a perfect place for planespotting, and I was lucky to see Korean Air's 747 landing during my visit.Taylor Rains/Insider

But, what sets this Sky Club apart from others — including its sister one also at LAX — is the outdoor deck that overlooks the tarmac and the Hollywood Hills.

This club was very busy during my visit, but I suspect it may start seeing fewer numbers as Delta further plans to restrict Sky Club access.

This is the regular entrance to the Sky Club after heading up the escalator.Taylor Rains/Insider

Considering access to Sky Clubs will become more limited come 2025, more passengers will be spending time in and around the LAX gates — and, fortunately, they're pretty nice.

The gates are all numbered to start with the number "3" for T3 so people know which terminal they should be in, but that's also why customers may have a gate that is "30B," for example.Taylor Rains/Insider

Considering access to Sky Clubs will become more limited come 2025, more passengers will be spending time in and around the LAX gates — and, fortunately, they're pretty nice.

Every seat had power ports — including USB-C — and there was plenty of space for people to queue for boarding. Though, I did notice a lack of cupholders.

The seats are the same ones that customers will find in Delta's other new terminals across its network, like at LaGuardia.Taylor Rains/Insider

Various food, drink, and retail vendors line the terminal, including a Hudson Nonstop, a gaming center, and sit-down restaurants. An open-concept customer service center is also available.

The Gameway was probably my favorite concession — imagine just playing Minecraft or League of Legends to kill time before your flight.Taylor Rains/Insider

Various food, drink, and retail vendors line the terminal, including a Hudson Nonstop, a gaming center, and sit-down restaurants. An open-concept customer service center is also available.

The best part about the new gates is that they are just a short walk to the six new baggage claim carousels that live on the lower floor of the headhouse.

There are now six baggage claim belts available.Taylor Rains/Insider

During the tour, Santoro pointed to the walkway to baggage claim and said the now-giant tunnel had been closed off for years.

This space is key to efficiently connecting bag claim to the gates.Taylor Rains/Insider

Also in the bag claim area, customers will find a counter dedicated to baggage handling, which makes it easier to report and find lost luggage.

Santoro said the employees will rotate working between the various customer service positions at the airport.Taylor Rains/Insider

For those not exiting and instead catching an international flight, Delta successfully connected Terminal B to the new Terminal 3 facility to eliminate the need for buses.

Photo showing the walkway over the busy Terminal B check-in lobby, meaning instead of going through the mess, people can now just walk over it.Taylor Rains/Insider

For those not exiting and instead catching an international flight, Delta successfully connected Terminal B to the new Terminal 3 facility to eliminate the need for buses.

The complete transformation comes as Delta continues to expand out of its giant LAX hub, with the competition heating up from others that also call the airport one of their homes, including American, Southwest, United, and Alaska.

The view from the new Sky Club deck.Taylor Rains/Insider

The complete transformation comes as Delta continues to expand out of its giant LAX hub, with the competition heating up from others that also call the airport one of their homes, including American, Southwest, United, and Alaska.

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I toured Delta Air Lines' swanky new $2.3 billion terminal at LAX. Get ready for a better pre-flight experience &mdash; it's easily one of the best in the US.

Delta passengers will start their journey at the consolidated check-in area in Terminal 3, which is a significant improvement compared to the airline's bland old Terminal 2 lobby.

Unlike the basic counters still lining the old lobby, the new check-in area features dozens of kiosks, colorful Delta-branded signage, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The most impressive innovation, though, is the giant 250-foot-long display stretching the entire length of the lobby.

For those that don't need check-in service and only need to drop bags, this can be done in that main lobby via an agent or at a dedicated self-service queue. But, I suggest going one floor up to save time.

While most Delta passengers will use the main check-in lobby, there is a "secret" Delta One check-in building hidden below the main lobby.

Located on the lower arrivals level at Terminal 3, the exclusive space is like walking into an upscale hotel, far from the chaos of a major international airport.

Playing music at the entrance was a harpist, while a counter filled with snacks and drinks lined the back wall.

Every aspect of check-in can be done in the Delta One lobby, including luggage drop and security — the latter being a completely private experience.

After clearing security, the VIP customers will take an elevator directly up to the brand new Sky Club lounge located inside the terminal, which officially opened in April 2022.

Having visited several of the Sky Club lounges across Delta's network, the new one at LAX is easily my favorite thanks to its myriad food options, various bars, and ample seating.

Also available were showers, which were huge and included towels, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

But, what sets this Sky Club apart from others — including its sister one also at LAX — is the outdoor deck that overlooks the tarmac and the Hollywood Hills.

This club was very busy during my visit, but I suspect it may start seeing fewer numbers as Delta further plans to restrict Sky Club access.

Considering access to Sky Clubs will become more limited come 2025, more passengers will be spending time in and around the LAX gates — and, fortunately, they're pretty nice.

Every seat had power ports — including USB-C — and there was plenty of space for people to queue for boarding. Though, I did notice a lack of cupholders.

Various food, drink, and retail vendors line the terminal, including a Hudson Nonstop, a gaming center, and sit-down restaurants. An open-concept customer service center is also available.

The best part about the new gates is that they are just a short walk to the six new baggage claim carousels that live on the lower floor of the headhouse.

During the tour, Santoro pointed to the walkway to baggage claim and said the now-giant tunnel had been closed off for years.

Also in the bag claim area, customers will find a counter dedicated to baggage handling, which makes it easier to report and find lost luggage.

For those not exiting and instead catching an international flight, Delta successfully connected Terminal B to the new Terminal 3 facility to eliminate the need for buses.

The complete transformation comes as Delta continues to expand out of its giant LAX hub, with the competition heating up from others that also call the airport one of their homes, including American, Southwest, United, and Alaska.

I toured Delta Air Lines' swanky new $2.3 billion terminal at LAX. Get ready for a better pre-flight experience — it's easily one of the best in the US.