Delta moves to LAX T2, T3 but Virgin Australia will stay at TBIT
By David Flynn, March 22 2017
Delta Air Lines will make its move into LAX Terminals 2 and 3 in the middle of May, across what's sure to be a frantic five-day period from May 12 to May 17 – but Virgin Australia has decided to stay put at the adjacent Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Delta's relocation from Terminals 5 and 6 is part of an extensive seven-year US$1.9 billion (A$2.46bn) works program at LAX which will also see two new Delta Sky Club lounges, one in each terminal.
Building the all-new lounges will take some time, however, with Delta first taking over existing lounge spaces in each of the two terminals – but when renovations are complete, the spaces will be the best in Delta's domestic lounge network and include an expansive outdoor area.
Also on the cards is a private Delta One business class check-in lounge...
... which covers you from check-in through to, well, lounging around before your flight.
Further down the track Delta will open a new connector linking T2 and T3 to the adjacent Tom Bradley International Terminal...
... and link all three terminals in a single precinct to be known as the Delta Sky Way.
Similar to the connector between Terminal 4 and TBIT, it will sit behind security and make for faster connections between flights at LAX, especially with Delta's international SkyTeam partners including Air France-KLM, Alitalia, China Eastern, China Southern and Korean Air.
Virgin Australia to remain at TBIT
However, despite previous indications, Virgin Australia won't be relocating to Delta's new digs.
The airline has opted to stay at the Tom Bradley International Terminal for now – a wise move, considering the amount of work to be done at T2/T3 given the ambitious project's multi-year scope.
While Delta was known to be keen for its Aussie partner to shift to T2/T3, improvements to TBIT over recent years – including the Westfield-managed retail experience and a slew of modern lounges – make the international terminal a better option for Virgin and its passengers.
A spokesperson for Virgin Australia confirmed the decision to Australian Business Traveller, saying "flights to and from Los Angeles will continue to operate from TBIT... once alliance partner Delta Air Lines relocates from Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3 in May 2017."
Virgin will shift its LAX check-in point for flights to Australia by May 17, moving from its current T3 desks to what's officially T2 in the combined terminal – this will be located at western-most part of T2.
Virgin this week announced that Velocity Gold frequent flyers will once again enjoy lounge access at LAX, plonking their feet alongside those of Virgin's business class travellers at the upmarket Etihad Airlines lounge, while Velocity Platinum card-holders make their way to the Emirates LAX lounge.
“We are confident this will be the best experience for our guests as LAX undergoes a period of significant development and growth" added Virgin Australia Airlines Group Executive, John Thomas.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Oct 2015
Total posts 61
Any word on if the new Delta lounge will be based like JFK or SFO or the standard lounge with minimal food?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
When opened as all-new Delta lounges they'll be in the airline's latest style like New York and San Fran, however our understanding is that the initial lounges - being more of a 'move into an old lounge' job - will offer less of that.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 170
So are non-Delta partnered airlines being kicked out of T2 and T3? What happens to their lounges (e.g. the Air Canada Lounge in T2)?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
We've heard the Air Canada lounge is one being taken over by Delta.
28 Oct 2015
Total posts 7
Here's everything that'll happen in LAX:
https://www.lawa.org/newsContentbs.aspx?ID=2311
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 170
"Virgin Australia and Volaris customers check-in at T2 and are bused to TBIT for departure and arrivals" :-S
21 Dec 2015
Total posts 5
Are they going to run a shuttle bus from 2/3 to TBIT while the connector is still under development?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 170
Ummm ... ok. Why isn't check in able to be the terminal the flight is departing from?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jul 2012
Total posts 118
Apparently there is too little space in TBIT to accomodate check in desks for all airlines (although there is no shortage of gates).
28 Oct 2015
Total posts 7
bingo. the busses will be fun. like what QF did briefly at T4
19 Feb 2016
Total posts 7
Just on the lounge, a sad thing to note is that if you are doing the morning service ex LAX to BNE you don't currently have a lounge to go to ! They are still working on this for the premium clients. I am on this flight in a few weeks and have found this out. Therefore voucher and points provided for compensation apparently.
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