Delta Skyway At LAX Completed 18 Months Ahead Of Schedule

The Atlanta, Georgia-based airline, Delta Air Lines, recently unveiled its new upgrades to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The airline has been invested in major upgrades to Terminal 3 at LAX, which it flies out of. The project has been ongoing for several years and cost the airline nearly $2.3 billion.

Delta Sky Way at LAX over the years

The final major phase of the Terminal 3 upgrades, nicknamed the Delta Sky Way at LAX project, was unveiled on August 30. The new upgrades encompass several major changes to the terminal but were still finished nearly 18 months ahead of the initial schedule. The Delta Sky Way project has been underway for several years, as it began in 2018, and would reimage the entire Delta terminal. It also included the combining of Terminals 2 and 3 and offered a centralized check-in lobby.

Photo: OLOS/Shutterstock

The entire project had modernization as a goal. Therefore, the project included brand-new technology such as touch-free checked baggage kiosks. The kiosks utilize facial recognition to offer a hands-free experience for passengers. The goal of the project was to include 32 baggage self-serve kiosks and 46 different check-in kiosks throughout the new terminal.

The first phase of Delta’s new Terminal 3 was revealed in March of last year. This included a brand-new 1.2 million square foot area with 27 different gates and associated gate seating areas. Terminal 3 also included a centralized check-in lobby, larger security checkpoint areas, and an expanded baggage claim. The new terminal also houses a state-of-the-art Delta Sky Club, which is one of the airline’s signature airport lounges. The club opened slightly later than the first phase and opened up in April 2022.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Later in 2022, Delta and LAX unveiled another major phase of the renovations. Nine new gates and the associated seating areas were opened to customers in October 2022.

Delta Sky Way completion

The final phase of the project was unveiled on August 30. The new Delta terminal now utilizes a connection between Terminal 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The connection is made up of moving airside walkways and eliminates the need for bussing between terminals. The Vice President of Global Sales at Delta Air Lines, Scott Santoro, spoke about the new project. He stated,

“This modern, state-of-the-art facility has been at the center of Delta’s efforts to become the premier airline of Los Angeles, and now, as we as we celebrate this years-long project being finished much earlier than expected, we are better equipped than ever to provide Angelenos and all of our customers traveling through LA with the truly seamless and elevated experience that they deserve.”

The final phase of upgrades also includes previous upgrades that were unveiled earlier this summer. In June, the project opened the airline’s west headhouse. This included a specific check-in area for Delta One customers that included white-glove service for the traveling passengers. Delta Air Lines employees greet Delta One customers and offer the customers a selection of drinks or light snacks. The check-in area in the west headhouse also included a set of easy self-service check-in kiosks for all customers.