“A destination in its own right”: Los Angeles International’s redeveloped T1 is unveiled UPDATED STORY

USA. Los Angeles World Airports, Southwest Airlines and URW Airports have completed the redevelopment of Los Angeles International Airport Terminal 1.

A range of retail and dining options have been added as part of the US$516.7 million renovation, including a food & beverage marketplace operated by SSP America.

The redeveloped terminal “raises the bar for what guests can expect when they come to Los Angeles International”, according to Los Angeles World Airports .

Southwest worked with terminal commercial manager URW Airports, Unibail‐Rodamco‐Westfield’s airports group, to create the expanded commercial offer. There are now 22 dining and retail destinations embracing 23,543sq ft, with 13 brands new to Los Angeles International and eight that are making their airport debut.

The partners also unveiled a new retail space at the front of the terminal that will rotate regularly to introduce travellers to trending brands and new products.

The first-year occupant of the space will be LA Original, operated by Marshall Retail Group. LA Original is a pilot programme of the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. It aims to provides a platform to showcase diverse makers and promote locally designed, assembled, or manufactured goods through a line of LA‐branded products from across the city. Proceeds support creative entrepreneur programmes.

[The above video looks at the story of the terminal redevelopment, and profiles some of the people involved.]

SSP’s marketplace features a mix of local celebrity and chef-led favourites as well as national brands.

Cassell’s Hamburgers is described by the partners as a “local crown jewel of Los Angeles’ culinary realm with a reputation for quality ingredients and pitch perfect plates”.

US actor Danny Trejo is behind Mexican restaurant Trejo’s Tacos, which serves chef-driven, fresh forward scratch made Mexican dishes and tacos.

National brand Chick‐fil‐A serves chicken with no added fillers, steroids or hormones.

Pei Wei Asian Diner is a US restaurant chain with a focus on fresh ingredients and fast delivery. Dishes are cooked to order and in the tradition of ancient Asian cooking methods.

Einstein Bros. Bagels serves bagels, speciality sandwiches, gourmet salads and handcrafted drinks, while Beaming is described as an organic superfood café offering plant‐based food and cleansing programmes.

SSP America Vice President of Business Development Scott Welding commented: “SSP America is delighted to be part of the growth and investment at Los Angeles International. Our mix of high-performing national brands and popular local brands backed with star-studded, chef-driven prominence will bring variety, choice and a true LA taste of place to Southwest passengers.”

The rest of the dining and retail line-up in Terminal 1 comprises a range of local, national and international brands.

Be Relax features at Los Angeles International for the first time, offering on‐demand massage, nail and facial services.

Brookstone offers gifts for men, women and children.

California Pizza Kitchen serves California‐style cuisine made from quality ingredients, including hearth‐baked pizzas, pastas, and fresh salads.

Kiehl’s presents the brand’s range of natural skincare solutions.

The New Stand store and kiosk carries a rotating mix of travel essentials, gifts and accessories while its free mobile app presents articles, music, deals and a digital wallet.

Reilly’s Irish Pub, a West Hollywood original, offers the largest selection of whiskey in Los Angeles.

Rock & Brews, created in partnership with KISS band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, offers craft beers and quality American comfort food in a vibrant environment.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which was founded in Southern California, presents a range of coffees and teas from around the world.

Urth Caffé offers organic coffee and fine teas as well as a fresh, healthy and sustainable menu.

Deli & Co is a delicatessen that focuses on using fresh, quality ingredients, while I Love L.A. offers travel essentials, souvenirs and news and gift items.

LA Original showcases locally designed, assembled, or manufactured goods through a line of LA‐branded products from across Los Angeles. MAC Cosmetics presents a range of cosmetics, from lipsticks and blush to mascara and eye shadow.

Southern California brand Sol Surf Shop makes its airport debut, and offers surf wear and lifestyle items. Treat Me Sweet features a range of confections and candies.

A major goal of the project was to eliminate the queues that crowded the approaches to ticketing, security and at shops and restaurants in previously cramped gate areas, the partners said. The new 13-gate terminal introduces larger seating areas in gates, a larger and more efficient centralised customer screening checkpoint, a new area for baggage claim, and self‐service check‐in stations.

The project forms part of Los Angeles World Airports’ multibillion‐dollar Capital Improvement Program, considered the largest public works programme in the City of Los Angeles’ history. The Terminal 1 renovation is also part of an overall modernisation programme at the airport.

“Los Angeles is a city of dreamers and doers, and the reimagined Terminal 1 reflects the creativity at the heart of our city,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti, who officially opened the new-look terminal. “Working together with Southwest Airlines and our partners, what we have created is more than a terminal that connects passengers to flights – it’s a destination in its own right.”

Los Angeles World Airports CEO Deborah Flint commented: “The new Terminal 1 reflects Los Angeles World Airports’ commitment to creating exceptional facilities and experiences for our guests. The modernisation has been a phenomenal effort by all partners, and the results raise the bar for what guests can expect when they come to Los Angeles International.”

Above and below: Some of the options on offer at the various food & beverage locations.

Board of Airport Commissioners Vice President Val Velasco said: “Today’s reveal of Terminal 1 marks a significant milestone in our continued improvement and modernisation of Los Angeles International. Not only are we transforming Los Angeles International into the airport for the future, but we’re doing so with a local workforce and businesses to ensure that our community is involved in and benefits from all that we do.”

Southwest CEO Gary Kelly added: “Southwest carries more California travellers to, from and within the Golden State every day than any other airline and is scheduled to offer a record 800 departures a day from California next summer. This redeveloped Terminal 1 facility will host many of those customers and is the perfect venue for our award‐winning people to showcase their world‐famous hospitality.”

URW Airports Executive Vice President and Group Director Dominic Lowe commented: “The Southwest brand is all about customer service and little surprise‐and‐delight moments, and today you can feel that energy pulsing in the new terminal. Terminal 1 is true testament to the results we can achieve in airports when we all come together with a shared vision.”

Construction by the same project team is underway on Terminal 1.5, a connecting structure between Terminals 1 and 2 that will further expand baggage claim areas and offer Southwest customers connectivity to the upcoming automated people mover at the airport.

Above and below: Some more views of the impressive new-look terminal.

NOTE: The Moodie Davitt Report also publishes The Foodie Report, the world’s only media focused on airport (and other travel-related) food & beverage. The Foodie Report e-Newsletter is published every two weeks and The Foodie Report e-Zine every month.

Please send all news of food & beverage outlet openings, together with images, menus, video etc to Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com to ensure unrivalled global exposure.

The company also organises the annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards. This year’s FAB took place on 20-21 June in Helsinki. FAB 2019 will be held in Dallas, Texas, on 26-27 June.

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