Terminal 4.5 Core Opens as First Phase of $1.62 Billion Terminal 4/5 Modernization Project Completes

The ongoing modernization of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) continues with the opening of the Terminal 4.5 Core, the first major component to complete as part of a $1.62 billion project at the 60-year-old terminals 4 and 5.

The Terminal 4.5 Core, which opened to the public on Nov. 2, provides direct connectivity to the Terminal 5 baggage claim and check-in lobby. Additionally, it provides a centralized location between terminals 4 and 5 where passengers can access all four levels of the terminal building on the pre-security side using elevators, escalators and stairs.

When the future Automated People Mover (APM) train project is complete, the Terminal 4.5 Core will provide access to APM’s West Central Area station by way of a pedestrian walkway.

"The opening of the Terminal 4.5 Core is an exciting step toward the complete reimagination of Terminals 4 and 5, and will allow guests to efficiently move through our facilities to help streamline their travel journey," said Justin Erbacci, chief executive officer, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). "We would like to thank American Airlines for their partnership and investment in the modernization of our airport."

The Terminal 4.5 Core project broke ground in July 2019 and was completed ahead of schedule with more than 3,100 workers on the project putting in about 1.16 million work hours under the general contractor and construction firm, Hensel Phelps.

The project, designed by architecture firm Gensler, is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for optimizing energy usage, reducing indoor water use and providing access to quality transportation.

The next phase of the Terminal 4/5 Modernization project is anticipated to complete in 2024 with the opening of the new Terminal 4 Headhouse, which will feature new ticketing counters and baggage claim carousels for American Airlines and a consolidated security screening checkpoint.

“We are excited about the completion of the Terminal 4.5 Core, where our customers are now able to more easily pass between American’s baggage claim and ticketing levels,” said Kirk Hotelling, vice president of Corporate Real Estate and Planning, American Airlines. “The team is already making great progress on the next phase of our construction journey — the Terminal 4 headhouse project — which will provide our customers with seamless connectivity and increased efficiencies between American’s ticketing and baggage claim operations in both terminals 4 and 5.”