For decades, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been one of the most dreaded points of entry into the United States. No one I’ve spoken to enjoys flying into LA, and at best, the hectically busy airport is a functional failure. At worst, it’s a nightmare.
But in 2024, the first full year of operation of the $2.3 billion Delta Sky Way at LAX, first announced in 2018 and unveiled in 2023, things have finally changed. It will effectively consolidate Terminals 2 and 3 into one large terminal, modernize the design down to the smallest detail, and give LAX something Los Angeles residents can be proud of.
When it was announced that Delta Air Lines would be moving from Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3, frequent flyers around the world took notice. The unprecedented investment promised to completely transform the airport experience for LA locals and visitors, following one of the largest terminal moves in commercial aviation history.
Obviously it was necessary.
Delta Air Lines promised to make LAX a world-class airport, with seamless connections, a consolidated check-in process, and a simple design that makes getting through security to the gate a breeze. Having flown through LAX several times in the past year, including in all three categories – Delta One (i.e. business), Delta Premium Selection, economy – I can safely say they’ve delivered. Maybe even exceeded that.
LAX has gone from being one of the worst ports to being one of the best. You never thought that would happen, did you?
That’s what you would hope. Aside from the massive investments, the world’s busiest airports are thinking about how to modernize and transform the travel experience by removing the minor frustrations and streamlining the entire process. This brings numerous benefits – not just functional ones.
First of all, the airport is considered to be the most stressful part of traveling. And stress before a flight is never good, especially not for your health.
But it also affects the service you receive. The more relaxed people are, the better the service. This is especially valuable at security, where you’ll usually encounter the rudest and most confrontational staff in the country.
The thin air of an airport like this means better service, less stress and more relaxation. At least as long as you arrive at a reasonable time.
Why was this change necessary?
There are about 69 airlines flying to and from LAX every day, and Delta Air Lines has about 140 flights a day. That’s the most of any airline at LAX to date, so having an entire terminal to yourself makes sense. It also frees up space in the other terminals, sharing the benefits and making the airport work better overall.
However, I have flown in the other terminals over the past year. And while it’s nowhere near as bad as it used to be, I much prefer the relative peace and quiet of Delta Sky Way. Any day.
Features of Terminal 2 and 3
T3 is now the Changi of LAX. While it doesn’t have the overly futuristic design of Singapore, its simplicity and modern facilities make it one of the most beautiful airports in North America.
Yes, “nice” and “LAX” now fit in one sentence.
None of these areas are as hectic and crowded as you would expect. There are 32 self-service check-in kiosks, 46 check-in counters, 6 baggage claim carousels, and 14 security checkpoints. This includes the pre-clearance lines, so there is a good spread of people in each line. The lines move quickly. Something I’m not used to at all in the US.
In addition, connections between terminals have been made much smoother, so anyone with a connecting flight can significantly reduce their transfer time by using Delta Sky Way’s airside walkways between the new terminal and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
It’s even better for Delta One passengers
I flew to the US on Delta One last year and experienced for the first time the new terminal and Delta’s world-class airport offerings, including a completely separate Delta One check-in area and a private TSA screening lane accessible from street level on the lower arrivals level of Delta Sky Way.
You walk past the door staff, grab a glass of champagne and maybe a few appetizers, go through your own security checkpoint and walk straight into the massive Delta Sky Club.
And given that this is one of the most impressive airport lounges I’ve seen, it offers really good value for money – that makes a huge difference.
The redesigned Delta Sky Club is now a whopping 2,787 square feet and offers a wide variety of lounges, booths, work booths, alcoves, ottomans and virtually any type of seating you can imagine. Best of all, the lounges are located on the open-air Sky Deck, which has a retractable roof and offers a full view of the runway, with a large and well-stocked bar behind it.
My favorite feature is the eight oversized shower suites, connected by a convenient virtual queuing system. Each suite has two large areas, so you won’t feel cramped when you want to freshen up. You’ll also get a nifty amenity kit.
The only thing I don’t like
There’s only one thing I don’t like about Delta Sky Way. And that’s the oddly placed stairs that lead down from the exit to the baggage carousels. They also lead up, so after you’ve picked up your luggage, the quickest way to the exit is to lug your luggage up the stairs. There is a ramp, but the entrance is a bit far from much of the baggage carousel.
This is petty, of course, but if you’re in a hurry like me, quick access to a ramp can save precious seconds. And they count, because when you arrive at LAX, you have to take a shuttle to the rideshare pickup area.
I’m actually looking forward to flying to LAX now. Well, at least with Delta. The simple, smart design is straightforward and easy to navigate, which is a complete contrast to the LAX I’ve known for years.
The author flew as a guest of Delta Air Lines from LA to New York.
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