Gorgeous: LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse

I had the chance to check out a few of the terminals that have been on my radar. I was able to check out the new Midfield Satellite Concourse at Los Angeles International Airport. I wanted to return the compliment.

LAX TBIT is my favorite terminal in the US

Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport is my favorite airport terminal in the United States.

The security lines can be messy, but there is a lot to like about the terminal. The architecture is beautiful, it has a buzzing energy with people traveling to every part of the globe, and the terminal has huge floor toceiling windows with great plane views.

The lack of natural light in the terminal is frustrating. There is no lounge with windows directly outside.

The basics of the LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse

A new Midfield Satellite Concourse is part of the redevelopment of the airport. There is an expansion to TBIT and the opening of the North. It used to be that airlines had to use awful bus gates at TBIT to get to the ramps.

The first phase includes 12 wide body gates and three narrow body gates. The five level concourse adds 1.7 million square feet to the terminal, and the terminal is accessible from underground tunnels.

The second phase of the project is expected to open in the year 2025. Eight more narrow body gates will be added to TBIT.

Touring the LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse

What is the LAX Midfield satellite concourse like? Let's see what we can find. If you walk straight ahead, you can see the entrance to the gates of the Midfield Satellite Concourse.

You can either walk further or take an elevator.

The tunnel is over a thousand feet long. Two sets of moving sidewalks are needed to get through the terminal quicker.

There are courtesy carts that can be used for people with mobility issues. The carts are small and have wheels. They just "bump" up and down when they're full, like on "Pimp My Ride."

There are three smaller escalators on the other side of the tunnel.

There are areas after the first set of escalators where buses leave. The baggage claim facility at TBIT is mostly used for international flights. Allegiant had a bus to baggage claim at the airport.

The main part of the Midfield Satellite Concourse is where you'll find the escalators after you go up more than one set.

Below is a view of the main part of Tom Bradley International Terminal.

There is a lot of seating near the escalators.

This part of the terminal has three floors, with the top two being lounges and offices.

There are two gates in the center of the terminal, one in one direction and the other in another.

The architecture, the amount of natural light, and the variety of seating options make this a pretty terminal.

There is a maintenance facility on the other side of the terminal.

I think the details of these contracts are public since OMAAT readers know everything. I felt bad for the concessions at the far end of the satellite concourse.

They don't get a lot of foot traffic because no one comes over here unless their flight leaves the area. Is it possible that the rent is lower in the main terminal? They are in trouble if it is a small fraction.

Lounges coming to the LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse

All of the space above the terminal is visible from the central part of the terminal.

I tried to find a way to look at it. While the elevators wouldn't go to higher floors without scanning an ID, I noticed that Level 6 was marked as "premier lounges"

It sounds like there will be lounges at the satellite concourse. Is anyone aware of what the plans are? There are some rumors of a contract lounge opening in the terminal.

There are some thoughts and speculations.

• Maybe I’m just taking things too literally, but the sign says “premium lounges,” so does that mean there’s more than one lounge coming to the terminal?
• SkyTeam has by far the weakest lounge situation at LAX, so my first thought is that maybe Air France-KLM will open a lounge; this could be monetized with Priority Pass, and for that matter Air France could have a dedicated space for La Premiere customers (historically the airline has sent La Premiere passengers to the Qantas First Lounge, because the airline was too embarrassed by the Korean Air Lounge)
• I could see merit to a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse opening here, as these lounges are managed by Plaza Premium in the United States, and are therefore well monetized; that being said, I’m not sure if Virgin Atlantic eventually plans to move back to Delta’s terminal?
• Otherwise I imagine we’ll probably just see a generic contract lounge, from Plaza Premium, The Club, etc.; the terminal (or airport overall, for that matter) sure could use a Priority Pass lounge

I would love to hear what anyone has to say.

Bottom line

The new Midfield Satellite Concourse extension of Tom Bradley International Terminal was the first thing I saw. There are lots of natural light and nice seating options at this facility. Since not many people walk over to this area of the terminal, it is quiet.

I want to know what lounges open in the terminal.

What do you think about the new satellite concourse?