Monday 24 June 2013

New Tom Bradley International Terminal Previewed at Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has previewed the new Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for community and business leaders as one of his last official acts before he leaves public office on June 30. The event was designed to showcase the architecture, dining and retail, gates, passenger facilities, public art and other features of the TBIT in advance of its completion, expected in late 2013.

"The Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX is the first and last impression nine million travelers have of Los Angeles every year," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "This new terminal enhances passenger safety and security, while giving travelers the first-class airport experience they expect from a world-class city like Los Angeles. Customer service improvements at LAX contribute to travelers having positive experiences in our great city, making them want to return."

"This new terminal is a game-changer for international travelers arriving at LAX," said Ernest Wooden, Jr., President & CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism). "It provides the most advanced arrival experience in the U.S. and sets a new bar for every other airport in the country to follow. We can't wait to welcome international travelers into the new Tom Bradley International Terminal when it opens later this year."

Dining & Shopping: The preview event provided a sneak peek of the TBIT's South Concourse aircraft gate areas and the 150,000 sq. ft. Great Hall, which will offer international passengers more than 60 premier dining and luxury shops including 22 local Los Angeles brands, many of them never before seen in an airport, as well as world-class luxury amenities. The shopping options include such iconic names as Bvlgari, Emporio Armani and Coach, and LA-based brands like Fred Segal and Kitson. The dining options include LA-based restaurants from local celebrity chefs, such as Border Grill, Umami Burger, Ink Sack, and Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar.

Terminal concessions manager Westfield and its partners are investing $80 million to deliver a world-class traveler experience at the new TBIT. Featuring 360-degree views, inviting storefronts and sustainable elements, the dining and retail design criteria by Westfield provides travelers with unique areas to explore as they journey to their destinations. Westfields dining collection features 31 exciting new options ranging from luxury white-tablecloth dining to healthy and fresh sit-down, to grab 'n go. It will feature sophisticated architecture, cooking demonstrations, and will highlight the local restaurants of LA-based celebrity chefs, including "Top Chef" Michael Voltaggio, Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken, Suzanne Goin and others, whose cuisine reflect the diversity and trends in LA's exploding culinary scene.

Architecture: Fentress Architects' distinctive design of the new TBIT is inspired by the waves of the Pacific Ocean along LA's coastline. The Great Hall with soaring 110 ft. tall ceilings is flooded with natural sunlight in a nod to California's famous climate, while its aluminum roof arches over the open, spacious, column-free structure. This creates a single, cohesive, architectural theme that unifies the entire terminal, inside and out. The new terminal has already won architectural design awards and is expected to become a new iconic structure for Los Angeles, joining LAX's historical-cultural monument Theme Building with its parabolic arches.

Passenger Amenities: Passengers will experience a first-class level of comfort and convenience with 18 new aircraft boarding gates, half of which can accommodate the larger, new-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A-380 and Boeing 747-8. The fully modernized facility will be able to accommodate 4,500 passengers per hour, nearly double the current level.

Roomier boarding gates and waiting areas will have half of the seats integrated with electrical outlets for charging personal electronic devices. There will be dual and triple passenger loading bridges faster boarding and de-planing. In addition to the dining and retail, there will also be airline lounges, a children's play area, luxury spa services, and other luxury amenities. The new terminal also features an Integrated Environmental Media System, a series of seven stunning public art installations that will help create an environment of beauty and relaxation.

No comments:

Post a Comment