Airport officials and supporters from all sides came together on October 5 to cut the ribbon on the new $1.3 billion replacement terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). It will be open to the public on October 13.
The speaking portion of the event took place in the new box office. During this segment, Burbank Mayor Tamala Takahashi emphasized that the project was on time and on budget – a rarity these days – and that the new facility reflected the community’s desire for a modern terminal with all the charm of the old. Travelers who appreciated the airport’s lack of jet bridges and its tradition of walking to and from planes will be happy to know that none of that has changed with the renovation.
Corgan and CannonDesign designed the gleaming 355,000-square-foot terminal, and its materials and architectural features are inspired by the glitz and glamor of Hollywood as well as Burbank’s role in the development of the film industry.
It replaces a terminal that is almost 100 years old, much smaller (about 232,000 square feet), woefully outdated and seriously non-compliant with current seismic, safety and Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
“I’m proud of this place,” said Jay Leno, comedian, car collector and Burbank Airport fan. He joked that BUR should be called “not LAX” and that he would prefer the convenience of Burbank Airport to remain a secret.
TPG attended the grand opening and got a first look at the new replacement terminal. Here’s what awaits you.
Airport Basics
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) serves more than 6.2 million passengers annually.
Eight airlines offer direct service to more than 30 destinations, including Honolulu, Chicago and New York.
Like the old terminal, the new terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport has 14 gates. Indeed, a development agreement (which took decades to conclude) allowed the terminal to be replaced for security reasons, but limited growth.
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Art, History and Amenities at Burbank Airport
New amenities include upgraded and expanded restrooms, a pet relief area, family restrooms, adult locker rooms and nursing rooms. There are also more than a dozen dining options and half a dozen outlets, with many local brands represented.
The old BUR ticket halls had low ceilings and were quite cramped. In contrast, the new ticketing hall features high ceilings, an open layout and numerous self-service kiosks.
After passing through the eight-lane Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, passengers walk beneath artist Glenn Kaino’s massive 30-by-40-foot steel trellis and mirrored ribbon, titled “When We Reflect.” The new terminal is on the former site of a Lockheed factory camouflaged during World War II with nets woven by incarcerated Japanese Americans, including members of the Kaino family.
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Instead of two concourses in separate buildings, the new BUR replacement terminal is a single building with 14 gates distributed along the concourse. There are nine doors on one side of the central hall and five on the other. Shops and restaurants are scattered everywhere.
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Each seat in the new terminal has a cup holder and access to electricity. The work tables are large and plentiful, and also have power ports.
The toilets in the new terminal are large, with doors that open outwards. And instead of a large mirror above the vanity sinks, there are large oval makeup mirrors. “It gives you a sense of what Hollywood was like in the old days,” said Brent Kelley, Corgan’s chief executive.
The old terminal has two bag recovery areas, one of which is outdoors. The new terminal has a single central baggage claim area with three modern carousels.
Amelia Earhart used this airport (then called United Airport) as a base in the 1930s, and she even left in 1937 for her final attempt to circumnavigate the world.
To honor Earhart, a sculpture outside the new terminal titled “The Two Electras,” by Los Angeles artist Cliff Garten, consists of a pair of 16-foot-tall ellipses inspired by his custom Lockheed Electra 10E Special — an all-metal, twin-engine monoplane that was built here.
Southwest Airlines, the carrier that operates the most flights at BUR, sent its current aircraft “California One” to BUR for the grand opening festivities. The livery of this Boeing 737-800 features the California state flag.
In the old terminal, Southwest could only use its smaller 137-seat Boeing 737-700 (new generation). But the new terminal will allow Southwest to use its larger, quieter, more fuel-efficient 175-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes. “So it’s better for the environment, better for the community and it provides more options,” said Andrew Watterson, the carrier’s chief operating officer. These new options include more southwest flights between Burbank and Honolulu.
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