American, JetBlue, And Spirit Move Out As LAX Terminal 5 Faces Demolition
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is continuing its transformation, with Terminal 5 slated for a much-needed facelift starting this week.
LAX Terminal 5 Closing For Demolition – Airlines Relocating Ahead Of 2028 Rebuild
As part of a massive airport-wide modernization, Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport will be fully vacated and demolished, with reopening of the rebuilt facility scheduled ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, perhaps as early as mid-2027. As flagged by One Mile At A Time, the terminal began its closure phase today, on October 21, 2025.
The airline re-seat shuffle is already underway: JetBlue Airways moves to Terminal 1 as of October 21, Spirit Airlines shifts to Terminal 2 as of October 22, and American Airlines transitions its operations to Terminal 4 beginning October 28. Passengers accustomed to the gates in Terminal 5 will find themselves somewhere entirely different in the coming weeks.
| Airline | Previous Terminal | New Terminal | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JetBlue Airways | Terminal 5 | Terminal 1 | October 21, 2025 |
| Spirit Airlines | Terminal 5 | Terminal 2 | October 22, 2025 |
| American Airlines | Terminal 5 | Terminal 4 | October 28, 2025 |
What’s Being Demolished (And What’s Being Built)
The redevelopment of Terminal 5 is estimated at roughly $1.7 billion. The new terminal will maintain the same number of gates, 15 in total, but feature completely modernized systems, including baggage handling, ticketing, and airside connections. It’s a full teardown and rebuild rather than a cosmetic renovation.
For frequent flyers, the immediate concern is how the closure will affect operations. The shutdown coincides with the opening of the new Midfield Satellite Concourse South in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which adds eight gates to relieve congestion. Still, turning off a terminal of this size means construction zones, detours, and longer walks to your gate for the foreseeable future. You’ll still be able to walk from Terminal 4 to Terminals 6-8 via the underground walkway; the escalators up to Terminal 5 will simply be blocked.
Interestingly, I was not aware of this imminent closure, but just flew out of Terminal 5 at LAX last week and took the pictures above and below, thinking in my mind at the time that this terminal was long overdue for renovation.
The Future Of LAX Is Bright
Modernizing airports is essential for long-term comfort and efficiency, but the timing and logistics of this move are significant. Terminal 5 has been home to several key carriers and one of American’s two Admirals Club. With that space shuttered, travelers should expect some short-term pain: crowded gates, packed lounges, and general confusion as airlines settle into new homes.
While the promise of a sleek, next-generation facility ahead of the 2028 Olympics is enticing, the next few years may feel like an obstacle course. For passengers connecting through LAX, verify terminal assignments in advance and budget extra time between flights. This is not a small shuffle; it’s a complete reboot in the middle of one of the busiest airports in the world.
But it’s worth it. The drawings of the new terminal look amazing:
I love what my home airport is doing (proving here too that Bill Maher gets it wrong).
Meanwhile, American Airlines’ flyers at LAX will notice that tremendous progress has been made in Terminal 4. It’s still not done, but the new AA gate area is sleek.
CONCLUSION
Terminal 5 at LAX has begun its long-overdue makeover. For travelers, it means your upcoming trips through Los Angeles will look different, feel different, and probably take a few minutes longer. A modern new terminal by 2028 will be a welcome sight.