International travelers will have a new luxurious experience when they travel in and out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was on hand to kick off preview activities for the New Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). The new terminal includes a 150,000-square-foot Great Hall, with more than 60 premier dining and luxury retail shops – including 22 local L.A. brands – and world-class amenities. Westfield’s dining collection features 31 exciting new options.
Global restaurateur HMSHost will introduce seven of Los Angeles’ most celebrated local dining venues into the New TBIT with L.A. favorites and global flavors by Border Grill, ink.sack, Larder at Tavern, Umami Burger, Chaya, 800 Degrees and Vanilla Bake Shop – part of a dining collection by Westfield that features 17 homegrown L.A. concepts. Top local restaurateurs featured include ink’s Michael Voltaggio, Border Grill duo Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, and Suzanne Goin of Lucques, A.O.C., Tavern & the Larder. Each has adapted their signature style to suit the needs of airport travelers and the terminal will offer both take-away and dine-in options.
HMSHost will also open one of the first Starbucks Evenings in the country in the New Tom Bradley International Terminal. Now travelers will be able to grab a cup of their favorite coffee during the day and a glass of wine or beer in the evening. This Starbucks will feature a wider selection of Starbucks’ popular culinary offerings, including savory snacks and small plates such as bacon-wrapped dates, flatbreads with artichoke and goat cheese, and truffle mac and cheese. HMSHost will also be opening a second, traditional Starbucks location in this terminal.
On Saturday’s LAX Appreciation Day, some 10,000 members of the general public will join construction workers, airport employees and their families to get a first look at the facility they helped to build. The day’s activities will include special entertainment; architecture, aviation and USO displays; multi-sensory media experience; art tours; raffle prizes; and the canine teams of the popular PUP (Pets Unstressing Passengers) Program. Also on Saturday morning, officials will be joined by the family of former Mayor Tom Bradley for a ceremonial rededication of the newly refurbished 10-foot-tall bronze bust that welcomes departing passengers as part of a remodeled terminal entry.
