Los Angeles International Airport (Tom Bradley International Terminal)

Los Angeles International Airport (Tom Bradley International Terminal)
Name	Tom Bradley International Terminal
Native name	Bradley Terminal
Caption	Exterior of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport
Iata	LAX
Icao	KLAX
Type	Public
Owner	Los Angeles World Airports
City served	Los Angeles, California
Location	Westchester, Los Angeles
Opened	1984
Rebuilt	2013–2021
Terminals	Terminal B (Bradley)
Gates	20+
Passengers	16–30 million annual (varies)
Website	Los Angeles World Airports

Los Angeles International Airport (Tom Bradley International Terminal) is the primary international concourse at Los Angeles International Airport serving transpacific, transatlantic, and Latin American routes. Named for Tom Bradley, former Mayor of Los Angeles, the terminal functions as a hub for legacy carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, and as a major gateway for flag carriers including Air France, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, and Lufthansa. Located on the west side of Los Angeles, the terminal connects with domestic terminals and regional infrastructure including Interstate 405, Interstate 105, and the Los Angeles Metro network.

History

The Tom Bradley International Terminal opened in 1984 during a period of global aviation growth tied to events like the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Its naming honored Tom Bradley, who served five terms as Mayor of Los Angeles and promoted internationalization and urban development, including projects associated with Los Angeles World Airports and the Port of Los Angeles. Over subsequent decades the terminal hosted inaugural long-haul services by carriers such as British Airways, Qantas, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, and Aer Lingus, linking Los Angeles to London, Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo, and Dublin. Major incidents and policy shifts — including adjustments after September 11 attacks and security changes driven by Transportation Security Administration mandates — prompted operational and structural updates. The 2010s saw a multi-year modernization aligned with city-led initiatives like the Los Angeles International Airport Master Plan and investments by Los Angeles World Airports.

Terminal design and facilities

The terminal’s design blends contemporary passenger flow engineering with public art and civic architecture influenced by firms associated with projects like Walt Disney Concert Hall and airport terminals at San Francisco International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. Features include multiple concourses, international gates with dual boarding bridges, customs processing halls modeled on standards used at Heathrow Airport and Changi Airport, and lounges operated by carriers and alliances such as Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance. Retail and dining offerings showcase brands and concepts tied to Los Angeles cultural institutions such as LACMA and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art alongside international concessions used by Dior, TUMI, and Starbucks. The terminal integrates art installations and commissions from artists featured in institutions like the Getty Center and programs comparable to those at Tate Modern.

Airlines and destinations

Bradley Terminal hosts a wide array of scheduled international carriers including Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, El Al, Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, LATAM Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, and WestJet. Destinations served range from Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Mexico City, and São Paulo to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney, and Auckland. The terminal accommodates seasonal and charter services tied to events at Dodger Stadium, Hollywood Bowl, and conventions at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Security, customs, and passenger services

Security operations conform to Transportation Security Administration protocols implemented after September 11 attacks and collaborate with federal entities such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection for international processing. The terminal features automated passport control kiosks similar to deployments at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Miami International Airport, Global Entry enrollment centers, lost-and-found operations coordinated with Los Angeles World Airports, accessible services complying with Americans with Disabilities Act, and family support facilities like nursing rooms. Airline lounges operated by American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, and partner lounges for Oneworld and Star Alliance members provide premium services; ground handlers include companies like Swissport and LSG Sky Chefs. Emergency response coordination aligns with Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department protocols.

Ground transportation and access

Ground access connects the terminal to regional infrastructure including Interstate 405, Interstate 105, and surface streets serving the Westchester neighborhood. Public transit links involve the Los Angeles Metro Rail and bus connections via Metro Local, Big Blue Bus, and intercity services like FlyAway (bus) to Van Nuys and Union Station. On-airport people movers and shuttle services connect Bradley to domestic terminals and facilities including the LAX Automated People Mover and the centralized consolidated rental car facility used by firms such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz. Rideshare and taxi operations coordinate with municipal regulations overseen by Los Angeles World Airports, and parking structures connect to terminal curbs via pedestrian bridges.

Expansion, renovations, and future plans

A multi-phase renovation completed between 2013 and 2021 modernized concourses, expanded gate capacity, and upgraded mechanical systems in coordination with the Los Angeles International Airport Master Plan. Projects have included capacity increases inspired by hub developments at Hong Kong International Airport and Dubai International Airport, terminal reconfigurations to support ultra-long-haul aircraft like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787, and sustainability initiatives aligned with Los Angeles climate goals and standards referenced by LEED certification programs. Future planning documents from Los Angeles World Airports consider further gate expansions, connections to regional high-speed rail proposals linked to California High-Speed Rail, and technology upgrades for biometrics and contactless processing modeled after pilots at Singapore Changi and Heathrow Airport.

Category:Airports in Los Angeles Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1984 Category:International airports in California