United Renovates L.A. Terminals

<B> United Renovates L.A. Terminals</B>

By Judy Jacobs

United Airlines has begun work on a $200 million expansion and renovation project that will encompass its three terminals buildings at Los Angeles International Airport. Officials say the improvements, expected to be completed in under two years, are much-needed in light of the carrier's tremendous growth in the Southwest.

United, for example, increased its regional United Express service from the area by 73 percent last summer through a marketing agreement with SkyWest, making the total number of daily departures out of LAX 175. Shuttle by United offers 30 flights per day between Los Angeles and San Francisco alone, with Denver, Las Vegas and other points served as well.

The airline also offers the largest number of transpacific flights out of L.A., with major routes including Hong Kong, Narita and Osaka. A couple of years ago, United consolidated its international and domestic flights into adjacent terminals.

The carrier maintains the new expansion will make travel more convenient and efficient for the more than 40,000 arriving and departing United passengers traveling through LAX each day. The project, for instance, will expand Shuttle by United facilities by more than 40 percent, including an additional gate and new concession areas.

Work also calls for a new dual taxiing system allowing aircraft to arrive and depart simultaneously between Terminal 7 and the Shuttle terminal, a move that's expected to improve on-time performance. United also will install a new security clearance checkpoint station for all three terminals.

"When people connect through L.A., there will be only one point of security when their luggage has to be checked," said spokesperson Mary Jo Holland. "Before, they would have to go through security at each terminal--a hassle, particularly for business travelers, who have to worry about their computers."

United also will upgrade its Red Carpet Club in Terminal 7 and create a new club in Terminal 6, giving business travelers a choice of facilities. It also plans to add an international first-class lounge.

For now, the carrier will continue to operate flights without disruption, with only one gate closed at any given time. Officials also will update passengers on the progress through The Terminal Times, a monthly newsletter distributed at sites throughout the airline's terminals.

Also being distributed is an Expansion Survival Kit, with various complimentary Starbucks Coffee and newspaper coupons, and shoe-shine crews that will provide complimentary shoe shines to customers.