San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 opens

San Diego International Airport, SAN, opened the first phase of its new Terminal 1 on September 23, 2025, replacing the 58-year-old facility and closing the previous Terminal 1. The multiyear program delivers 19 gates now, 17 new concessions, a 13-lane security checkpoint, seven baggage carousels, and extensive roadway and parking upgrades. A technology suite from SITA powers self-service check-in, dynamic wayfinding, and security wait-time displays to streamline the curb-to-gate experience.
Key Points
- Why it matters: SAN gains modern capacity and efficiency at the nation's busiest single-runway commercial airport.
- Travel impact: Confirm your terminal and follow new electronic signage, especially during the first weeks of operations.
- What's next: Three more gates arrive in spring 2026, with the remaining eight in early 2028, for 30 total.
- $3.8 billion program includes new entrance roads, a dual-level curb, and the five-story Terminal 1 Parking Plaza.
- SITA provides common-use platforms, U.S. Exit biometrics at select gates, and Airport Vision flight displays.
Snapshot
Phase 1 opens with 19 gates, a spacious ticketing hall, 13 security lanes, and seven baggage carousels sized for peak demand. Concessions debut with 12 restaurants and five specialty shops, with additional venues staged to open as the program advances. A new on-airport entrance road and dual-level terminal curb aim to pull traffic off North Harbor Drive and separate arrivals from departures. The nearby Terminal 1 Parking Plaza offers close-in access and ample EV charging. Inside, coastal-inspired architecture emphasizes light, views, and intuitive wayfinding, while public art installations anchor key touchpoints from ticketing to baggage claim.
Background
Construction on the New T1 began in 2021 as part of a broader campus overhaul tied to access, sustainability, and passenger experience. Delivered by the Turner-Flatiron joint venture with Gensler as lead architect, the program replaces the original 1967 terminal and reconfigures surface access with a three-lane, signal-free roadway feeding Terminals 1 and 2. Sustainability elements include 100 percent carbon-free electricity, stormwater capture, and an underground fuel system to reduce emissions on the airfield. The art program features large-scale commissions that double as landmarks to aid wayfinding. For earlier milestones and airline move-in context, see our preview coverage, San Diego Terminal 1 Opens September 22.
Latest Developments
SITA tech anchors a seamless curb-to-gate flow
SAN's Terminal 1 launches with SITA's common-use platforms across counters and gates, enabling airlines to flex operations as demand shifts. Self-service options are paired with U.S. Exit biometric face pods at select gates to speed boarding and compliance. Airport Vision displays unify flight data and dynamic wayfinding, while integrations with third-party sensors publish real-time security wait times before travelers enter screening. The mix targets faster dwell-time decisions, fewer line surprises, and improved on-time performance without expanding the single runway.
Design details, concessions, and amenities
Gensler's design emphasizes daylight, views, and intuitive circulation, including a calming, centralized 13-lane checkpoint. The opening set includes 17 concessions, with an outdoor dining terrace overlooking the bay and skyline. Facilities expand core capacity with 23 modern restrooms and seven baggage carousels designed for higher throughput. Public art, including the glass "Luminous Wave" façade, doubles as a visual anchor to simplify navigation from curb to claim. Additional food, retail, and lounge spaces will roll out as construction phases complete.
Phasing through 2028
Opening night arrivals began on September 22 to position aircraft and teams for the September 23 full opening, when the previous Terminal 1 permanently closed. Phase 1B starts construction in early 2026. Three more gates are slated for spring 2026, with the final eight in early 2028, bringing Terminal 1 to 30 gates. Future airline moves, additional concessions, and lounge openings will follow the phased gate deliveries. For related developments at SAN, see Alaska Airlines plans a 13,000-square-foot San Diego lounge.
Analysis
For travelers, the upgrade is immediate at the curb and checkpoint. The new entrance road reduces friction before you reach the terminal, then electronic signage and unified displays convert uncertainty into clear routing, especially during irregular operations. The centralized 13-lane checkpoint and real-time wait-time feeds should smooth morning peaks, historically the tightest window for SAN. Self-service and common-use systems give airlines a larger toolset to recover from delays, turn aircraft faster, and rebalance counters without construction. The added carousels, restrooms, and seating address comfort and throughput, while the art program and open sightlines assist wayfinding for infrequent travelers.
SAN's single-runway constraint remains the fixed variable, so reliability still depends on airfield flow and regional weather. However, the combination of smarter access roads, expanded gate count, and technology-led processing narrows the gap between demand and infrastructure. The phased plan keeps pressure on concurrent improvements, including additional gates, lounges, and concessions. Expect a short learning curve as signage, staffing, and concessions settle, then a steady rise in operational stability as spring 2026 gates come online.
Final Thoughts
The opening of San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 is a tangible reset of the traveler journey at SAN, from roadway to baggage claim. The design, technology, and phased growth align to add capacity without sacrificing clarity or comfort. As further gates and amenities arrive through 2028, the airport's newest front door should become a faster, more intuitive gateway for Southern California. For route planning and timing, build in a few extra minutes on your first visit, then let the signage guide you through the new San Diego International Airport Terminal 1.
Sources
- It's Official! New Terminal 1 Opens at San Diego International Airport, SAN Airport
- Airport Projects, SAN Airport
- San Diego International Airport opens new Terminal 1 with seamless curb-to-gate experience, SITA
- Gensler and San Diego International Airport set a global benchmark with the New Terminal 1, Gensler
- San Diego Airport Opens New Terminal 1, Business Travel News
- Out with the old and in with the new at San Diego International Airport, KPBS
- Multi-billion-dollar Terminal 1 featuring 19 new concessions unveiled at SAN, The Moodie Davitt Report
- San Diego International Airport opens first phase of new Terminal 1, CAPA