America’s airports are getting a facelift.
From San Diego and Austin, Texas, to Pittsburgh and Charlotte, North Carolina, many airports are in the midst of billion-dollar renovation projects that will transform the look and feel of how we travel.
A handful of airports already have completed their renovations or are well on the way to doing so. Following are some of the more interesting overhauls at airports nationwide.
LaGuardia Airport, New York
More than $8 billion has been spent to overhaul LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
In June 2022, a renovated Terminal C opened, unveiling a space nearly twice as big as the pair of terminals it replaced. A departures hall features floor-to-ceiling windows.
A few months earlier, the new Terminal B opened with expansive concourses, a pair of acclaimed skybridges and the Aqua Graphic water curtain pictured above.
Orlando International Airport, Florida
After almost five years of construction, the new Terminal C at Orlando International Airport opened for business last September. The $2.8 billion venture created 15 new gates at the airport, increasing passenger capacity by 10 millon to 12 million passengers.
The terminal features 33 retail and food and beverage concepts, including both local and national brands.
Kansas City International Airport, Missouri
A new $1.5 billion terminal at the Kansas City International Airport opened in March. The terminal is just over 1 million square feet and features 40 gates.
In the new terminal, you will find glass passenger boarding bridges at all gates, meaning you can take in views of the surrounding airfield as you board. The airport is now the biggest all-glass facility in the U.S.
Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey
Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A cost $2.7 billion and opened in December. At more than 1 million square feet, the facility features a centralized check-in hall, 33 gates and a lot of natural light.
You will even find a children’s play area and some trees and gardens.
Denver International Airport, Colorado
The Great Hall Project at Denver International Airport is underway and will stretch through three phases until 2028.
The first phase was completed in 2021 and included an addition of 31,000 square feet to the Jeppesen Terminal.
The second phase is taking place now and focuses on improved security checkpoints.
The final phase begins later this year and include more spacious ticketing spaces and renovation of restrooms. It will also feature new flooring, lighting and more.
The first two phases will be completed within the original $770 million budget. The last phase is expected to cost $1.3 billion.
Los Angeles International Airport, California
Los Angeles International Airport has been in the midst of a long-term modernization program since 2017, and the project is now halfway complete.
The latest phase of the $15 billion project is an overhaul of Terminal 6 that will be completed this year.
A $2 billion Automated People Mover — slated to begin operation in 2024 — is expected to revolutionize how people get to the airport. Stations will be available as far as a block away from the airport, making it easier to pick up and drop off travelers.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Michigan
The renovation project at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is truly a step into the future.
The airport now features a departure board that employs facial recognition technology to show travelers customized information about their flight.
You have to opt in to the program, but what it does is pretty remarkable. According to an MLive report, it “allows dozens of people to simultaneously see unique content on the same digital screen.”
The result of a partnership between Delta Air Lines and Misapplied Sciences, here is how it works, according to MLive.
“Delta passengers can scan their boarding pass, select a language and test out the system. Using ‘multi-view pixels and proprietary technology’ the board then shows personal flight information, boarding time or even standby status.”
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