Major airport upgrades to debut at three Delta hubs

This year, Delta will unveil several major airport infrastructure milestones as part of its $12 billion, decade-long effort to modernize the customer experience on the ground. Here’s a look at improvements coming to our Seattle, Los Angeles and New York-LGA hubs, just in time for the summer travel season.

Delta’s been busy building the airports of the future — designed for efficiency, speed and comfort, with the flexibility to support evolving technology needs. Over the next few months, customers in three Delta coastal hubs — Seattle, Los Angeles and New York — will see some exciting upgrades come to life. These investments will ensure Delta customers enjoy an elevated experience both on the ground and in the air.

Here’s what customers can look forward to in the coming weeks and months:

Newly centralized headhouse to streamline operations at Los Angeles International Airport

Delta, LAX’s largest global and fastest-growing carrier, has long been committed to modernizing and upgrading the airport experience for customers at its west coast hub.

Rendering of consolidated baggage claim at new LAX headhouse

The first phase of the new Delta Sky Way at LAX, a multi-year terminal transformation project in partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), will open in mid-April when customers departing LAX will enter through a new headhouse in Terminal 3—a state-of-the-art space that will, for the first time, consolidate locations for check in, security and baggage claim. Thanks to Delta’s partnership with TSA, new facial recognition technology will allow qualifying customers departing LAX to check bags, pass through security and board their flight completely hands-free through use of their digital identity. With an enlarged security checkpoint, all customers will enjoy a speedier journey from curb to gate, and qualifying Delta One customers will be able to enjoy an exclusive check-in experience with premium amenities.

A new premier Delta Sky Club at LAX will open its doors at the same time. This Club measures over 30,000 square feet and features premium design elements, including a bar that extends from inside to the year-round, outdoor Sky Deck where guests can enjoy panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles and the iconic Hollywood sign. With a top selection of seasonally inspired menu items, spacious shower facilities and ample seating for all types of travelers, the Delta Sky Club at LAX is the ideal oasis for travelers to work, dine, play, relax or recharge.

Rendering of the year-round, outdoor Sky Deck at Delta’s new LAX Sky Club

Upon completion in 2023, the $2.3 billion modernization project will upgrade and combine Terminals 2 and 3 into a 27-gate complex and include a secure connection to the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B), allowing for a seamless, easy-to-navigate passenger journey.

Soaring new headhouse, simplified check-in, improved roadways coming to LaGuardia Airport

Exterior rendering of centralized terminal at New York – LGA

Customers at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport will begin to enjoy the results of Delta’s $4 billion investment there this spring.

Customers will be welcomed to a centralized Delta terminal that, like LAX, will come equipped with hands-free bag drop and security check-in. This opt-in technology, already in use at Delta’s Detroit and Atlanta hubs, is available to all customers with both the Fly Delta app and a TSA PreCheck membership. Centralized operations will streamline the check-in process for customers, as they will no longer need to confirm which terminal they are departing from or arriving to. Local arrivals to LaGuardia will also enjoy additional parking and more efficient roadways to and from the airport. All customer drop-off locations will include baggage drop positions for easy bag check, and a direct-to-security drop-off option for customers not checking bags will allow them to fully bypass the lobby and speed right to security.
Rendering of centralized check-in lobby at LaGuardia


Rendering of centralized check-in lobby at New York – LGA

Features throughout the transformed LaGuardia will make the airport experience more beautiful, calming and comfortable—including a world-class art program, made possible by Delta’s partnership with the Queens Museum and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), showcasing custom pieces from local New York artists. Additional features include dynamic digital art installations at baggage claim and security checkpoint, larger gate areas, chef-driven dining options, service animal relief areas and more.

Delta Sky Club members will soon be able to kick back at the largest Club in Delta’s system, opening on LaGuardia’s Terminal C. With a planned 34,000 square feet and seating for nearly 600 guests, the Club will provide ample opportunity for customers to experience the best of what Clubs have to offer: premium food and beverage options, locally curated artwork, upscale design and more. A future addition to the Club will see the completion of a year-round Sky Deck featuring city views.


Construction on the south façade of Concourse E – LGA

Construction began in 2017 and builds on Delta’s extensive investment in New York’s airport infrastructure. Once complete, the project will consolidate Terminals C and D into a single state-of-the-art facility, featuring 37 gates across four concourses and a centralized departures and arrivals hall that will simplify the check-in, security check and baggage claim touchpoints.

New facility at Sea-Tac to double capacity and reduce wait times for international arrivals

Exterior view of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s International Arrivals Facility – Grand Hall

Delta has been closely engaged with the Port of Seattle on the construction of a new 450,000-square-foot International Arrivals Facility at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to meet the growing regional demand for international service and enhance the customer experience.

As Seattle’s largest global airline, Delta will be the biggest user of this space, and Delta customers are sure to enjoy the benefits. The modern facility, slated to open this spring, will nearly double the airport’s number of international gates from 12 to 20 and be able to serve up to 2,600 passengers per hour (up from 1,200 today). Located east of the current Concourse A, the new space will feature baggage claim and customs processing areas, an 85-foot-high aerial walkway with views of the Seattle skyline and nearby mountains that will create a connection to the South Satellite, and a new security corridor that will allow dual use of gates on Concourse A for international and domestic arriving flights.

Baggage claim at International Arrivals Facility, featuring work by local Seattle artist Marela Zacarías

International customers arriving in Seattle will see new amenities such as nursing rooms and pet relief areas as they process through customs, ensuring a faster, more comfortable experience with enhanced technologies for faster passport check clearance that will reduce the average customer connection time by about 15 minutes.