WEEKLY WHINE

Assessment of major terminals

There now follows a ranking of all terminals currently in operation at Los Angeles International Airport. Criteria include layout and ease of navigation, design, quality, services, and airlines serviced.

1. Terminal 7: Services United and United Express. This terminal includes eleven gates, including four that have two jetways each. More services are present here than at most other terminals: a food court plus two other restaurants are available. It is part of the interior connections amongst Terminals 5-8.
2. Tom Bradley International Terminal: Services Aeroflot, Air Berlin, Air France, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska arrivals from Mexico, All Nippon, Asiana, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China, China Eastern, China Southern, Copa arrivals, El Al, Emirates, Eva, Iberia, Japan, Korean Air, LAN, LAN Perú, Lufthansa, Malaysia, Philippine, Qantas, Singapore, Swissair, Thai, Transaero, and Turkish. This terminal is currently being rebuilt and will have eighteen gates when completed. An additional nine gates are in a satellite terminal reachable by bus. A large food court is available, but it is on the wrong side of the security barrier.
3. Terminal 3: Services Jetblue, Spirit, Virgin Australia departures, and Virgin America. This terminal includes twelve gates and, surprisingly, an actual garden. Services available are somewhat less than most other terminals.
4. Terminal 2: Services Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, KLM, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, Hawaiian, Sun Country, TACA, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris, and Westjet. This terminal includes eleven gates and services many foreign airlines.
5. Terminal 6: Services Alaska, Allegiant, Copa departures, Frontier, Great Lakes, and United. This terminal includes fourteen gates, including four that have two jetways each. Since it has United gates that were formerly Continental and various other minor airlines, this is clearly the miscellaneous terminal. It is part of the interior connections amongst Terminals 5-8.
6. Terminal 1: Services US Airways, Southwest, and Airtran. This terminal includes fifteen gates, though Gates 1 and 2 are hidden off to the side. The security line frequently overflows into another random area. It has no interior connection to any other terminals.
7. Terminal 5: Services Delta and Virgin Australia arrivals. This terminal includes fourteen gates. It was originally used by Western Airlines until its 1987 merger with Delta. It is currently short on food service, though it is reportedly opening a new establishment owned by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. It is part of the interior connections amongst Terminals 5-8.
8. Terminal 4: Services American, American Eagle, and one Qantas flight. This terminal includes fourteen gates, including one that is merely a shuttle bus to a satellite terminal. There are currently only four food service locations in this terminal, much less than is required.
9. Terminal 8: Services United and United Express. This terminal includes nine gates, fewer than any other. It was previously dedicated to United Shuttle and Express flights. As expected, this terminal has less services than any other. It is part of the interior connections amongst Terminals 5-8.