What to expect at San Diego Airport's new Terminal 1
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You can try to figure out what the public art installation overhead is while waiting in TSA security lanes. Photo: Kate Murphy/Axios
San Diego Airport's Terminal 1 makeover is almost complete.
Why it matters: The $3.8 billion project that's kept the airport under construction for the past four years is a major expansion that will transform the traveler experience.
Driving the news: Travelers will start flying in and out of the new, bright and spacious terminal on Sept. 23.
- The five-story parking plaza is complete, and a roadway to ease traffic congestion opened earlier this summer.
- The short roadway connecting Terminals 1 and 2 closed indefinitely Monday so crews can set up to demolish the old building and start construction of Phase 2.
- People can get a sneak peek of the new space at an open house on Sept. 14.
By the numbers: The new Terminal 1 will have more gates, food options, parking and modern amenities to accommodate the roughly 25 million passengers coming through the airport annually.
- The building covers more than 1 million square feet, compared to about 336,000 square feet at the old one built in 1967.
- 19 gates, plus 11 more coming over the next few years.
- 69 check-in kiosks, up from 24, can be used for any airline, and there are 25 more ticket counter positions.
- 3 new security screening lanes were added.
- A 4-mile-long baggage belt in the basement will take suitcases to seven baggage claim carousels, up from three at the old terminal, with better efficiency.
- 50% of seats, ranging from lounge chairs and couches to high-top desks, have access to outlets.
Zoom in: Southwest, SAN's largest carrier, will operate out of the new terminal, along with Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, and Sun Country airlines.
- Air Canada and WestJet will come in spring 2026, while Delta will move over in 2028.
What they're saying: "What have we done differently in this building is we've finally come up to modern standards for airports," Angela Shafer-Payne, the airport's vice president and chief development officer, said on a guided media tour of the new facility.
- "The facade is one that's unique," said Andy Huang, design director for architect firm Gensler. "Of all the airports I've been to, of all the airports I've designed, it's just the intersection of art, architecture, building performance, how it contributes to passenger and employee comfort, as well as making a design statement."
Case in point: The building's coastal-inspired waves, fins and large curved glass windows allow sunlight into the ticket lobby while mitigating glare, Huang said.
What's next: The existing Terminal 1 will be permanently closed and the demolition process will begin about a week after the final flights take off on Sept. 22. The building should be down by the end of the year.
- Three additional gates are scheduled open there this spring, and eight more in early 2028.
- Throughout the terminal, airport planners left space for additional baggage claim gates, security lanes, retail and a transit hub.
