“Understanding the Southwest Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)”
Introduction
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the sixth busiest airport in the world and the third busiest airport in the United States. Serving over 87.5 million passengers annually, LAX transports passengers to, from and through Southern California using 24 passenger and cargo carriers. Southwest Airlines is one of the many commercial airlines at LAX, operating exclusively out of its own dedicated terminal – Terminal 1. In this blog article, we explore the Southwest Terminal at LAX, discussing its history, layout, amenities and more.
History of Terminal 1
Terminal 1 was the first modern terminal building built at the Los Angeles International Airport following its 1931 grand opening. Construction began on the terminal in 1937 and it was first opened to the public in December 1939. It was designed by Pereira & Luckman and was the largest terminal building in the world at the time of its completion. The building was also the first example of the Streamline Moderne style of architecture which focused on curved geometry, glass walls and block-like planes combined in simple, elegant design.
Terminal 1 is now the home of Southwest Airlines and it remains mostly untouched in terms of its original design, except for a few renovations that have taken place over the years. This makes Terminal 1 one of the oldest and most recognisable buildings at LAX.
Layout and Amenities
Terminal 1 covers 1.3 million square feet of space and is divided up into five areas. There is a check-in/ticketing section on the ground level, along with a USO Lounge for military members and their families, pre-security shops and restaurants, and a temporary checkpoint for special circumstances. The upper level is where Southwest Airlines operates their flight gates, with 18 gates available in the terminal. There is a full concourse with food and beverage outlets, retail stores, a play area for children, and a JetBlue information desk.
Terminal 1 also offers a range of amenities to help make the traveling experience smoother and more convenient. Post-security shops, an automated passport control, pet relief areas and wheelchair services are available, as well as a signature art program featuring works from Californian artists.
Summary
Terminal 1 at Los Angeles International Airport is the dedicated terminal of Southwest Airlines, comprising 1.3 million square feet of space divided into five areas – ground level and upper level. Terminal 1 has been operating largely untouched since its construction in 1937, making it one of the oldest and most recognisable buildings at LAX. It offers a range of convenient amenities to make the traveling experience smoother, as well as a notable art program.