LAX Terminal 5 rebuild kicks off, airlines shift gates
Key points
- Terminal 5 closes in phases for total rebuild
- JetBlue now operates from Terminal 1
- Spirit moves to Terminal 2 on October 22
- American shifts on October 28
- Unified T4 T5 will span 300,000 square feet
- APM slated to open in early 2026
Impact
- Who Is Affected
- Travelers flying JetBlue, Spirit, and American at LAX in late October.
- What To Know
- Check terminal assignments and allow extra time for wayfinding and busing.
- Timeline
- Moves on October 21, 22, and 28; Terminal 5 reopens in 2027.
- Workarounds
- Use airline apps, follow airport signage, and verify baggage claim locations.
Los Angeles International Airport is accelerating upgrades ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games with a complete rebuild of Terminal 5. The work begins with phased closures and airline moves through the last week of October. JetBlue has already shifted, Spirit follows next, and American moves at month's end. The LAX Terminal 5 rebuild is part of a broader modernization that adds space, improves screening and baggage, and ties terminals together to ease connections.
LAX Terminal 5 rebuild and Olympic prep
Airport owner Los Angeles World Airports is consolidating Terminals 4 and 5 into a unified, modern complex featuring a new headhouse for ticketing, security, and baggage, plus a post-security connection between the terminals. When complete, the combined facility will measure more than 300,000 square feet and offer a total of 30 gates. The project complements recent additions like the West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal and will connect seamlessly to the Automated People Mover when that system opens.
As moves occur, travelers should expect temporary wayfinding changes, construction barricades, and some concession closures in the Terminal 5 footprint.
Latest developments
JetBlue moved from Terminal 5 to Terminal 1 on October 21, joining Southwest in that concourse.
Spirit Airlines is scheduled to relocate to Terminal 2 on October 22, with operations also utilizing the Midfield Satellite Concourse South.
American Airlines will complete its relocation on October 28, operating from Terminal 4 and Terminal B while Terminal 5 closes for reconstruction.
Analysis
For the next two years, the biggest traveler pain points will be navigation and baggage routing. Confirm your terminal in your airline app before you leave for the airport, since check-in, departures, and baggage claim may not be in the same places you are used to. If you have tight connections that previously used Terminal 5, budget extra time; some flights will use bus gates at Midfield Satellite Concourse South during the transition.
Looking ahead, the upgrades should pay off. The unified headhouse will centralize check-in and security for faster throughput, and the post-security connector will reduce re-screening. Once the Automated People Mover begins passenger service in early 2026, access from the LAX/Metro Transit Center should reduce curb traffic and improve predictability getting to your gate. To monitor near-term disruptions while construction ramps up, see our ongoing coverage in Flight delays and airport impacts.
Final thoughts
The LAX Terminal 5 rebuild marks a major milestone in the airport's Olympic-era transformation. Short-term inconvenience is inevitable as airlines shuffle gates and barricades go up, but the end state promises a brighter, more connected experience with 30 gates, a centralized headhouse, and direct links to the people mover. If you are flying JetBlue, Spirit, or American in late October, verify your terminal before you go, and plan a little extra time to navigate the changes driven by the LAX Terminal 5 rebuild.