Reviving Los Angeles International - LAX


Like so many Hollywood stars this west coast gateway has also had a bit of a face lift and is starting to look a bit more attractive

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It’s a competitive market on the North American west coast where airports such as San Francisco, Vancouver and even Seattle battle to be the entry points for the huge Asian market across the Pacific. Los Angeles International (LAX) still holds the crown for highest passenger numbers on this coast • it is in the top five globally • but has been criticised many times for its services.

But things have improved. One sign of change is the major rejuvenation of the airport’s iconic Theme Building built in the 1960s which still retains a somewhat futuristic flying saucer on legs appearance. At its heart is the ever so slightly psychedelic Encounter restaurant which should really be seen by anyone with and a fascination for sixties style.

The revamp has continued in the airport’s terminals. One of the key buildings for long-haul flights is the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) completed for the Olympics in LA in 1984, is now in reconstruction as part of a $500m project to bring it up to the standard of its international rivals. More lounges have been created by knocking out wasteful corridors to magic up extra space for the passenger facilities that were lacking.

On the shopping front LAX has its main duty-free shops • the ones that sell the key categories of liquor, tobacco and fragrances • in six of its nine terminals. DFS Group runs all 10 stores: five at TBIT, and one each in terminal 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Depending on the terminal these tend to be department store style units whose offer is very dependent on the passenger profile passing through.

In addition, there are individual boutiques and bookstores in all departures areas such as See’s Candies, a famous west coast confectioner (in T3); The Body Shop (T7)); Crews of California (in T1 and TBIT); Destination LA which is full of LA-related products from local beauty products to California wines and LA Edge which caters to the surf and street cultures of LA with its sports brands and fashion (both T4); and gadget retailer Brookstone (T1).

However, it won’t be until the midfield and west side concourses of TBIT are completed that LAX will really come into its own in shopping terms. This project is yet to get underway but should dramatically enhance the passenger experience and give the airport more retail appeal.

Los Angeles LAX Factfile

Passengers 59.8 million in 2008
Terminals 9
Main retail areas 10 duty-free stores in 6 terminals the most important being TBIT
Key airlines:
Terminal 1: Southwest Airlines, US Airways.
Terminal 2: Northwest Airlines.
Terminal 3: Alaska Airlines
Terminal 4: American Airlines.
Terminal 5: Delta Airlines.
Terminal 6: Allegiant Air.
Terminal 7: United Airlines.
Terminal 8: United Express.
Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT): Mexicana, Korean Air.

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