Burbank's new $1.3B terminal opens Oct 13 — four minutes from TSA to any gate

Hollywood-Burbank Airport (BUR) opens its brand-new terminal on Tuesday, October 13, wrapping up a $1.3 billion build that makes LA's favorite "secret" airport bigger, safer and, honestly, a lot nicer. The 355,000-square-foot space is about 53% larger than the terminal it replaces.

Dubbed Elevate BUR, the project was approved back in 2016 and broke ground in early 2024. The project's main goal was safety. The original terminal, built in 1930, sat just 250 feet from the runway, which didn't meet FAA design standards. The new building is set about 880 feet back, comfortably clearing current rules. "The old terminal is not up to FAA design standards," said executive director John T. Hatanaka. "This is a safety project."

A fast, easy layout — and bigger planes

The airport consolidated two terminals into one, and TSA screening now runs eight lanes instead of five across two old terminals. Condé Nast Traveler timed the walk: four minutes to Gate 1, two minutes to Gate 14. Gate count stays at 14 per the city agreement, but the extra room lets airlines bring in larger aircraft — Boeing 737-800s, the 737-8 and even Frontier's 240-seat A321neo.

The design pays homage to Old Hollywood: a silver roof canopy nods to the silver screen, and a spotted ceiling pattern echoes the dress Marilyn Monroe wore singing "Happy Birthday" to JFK.

Inside there are 13 local food and beverage spots — Perry's Joint, Poquito Mas, Guy Fieri's Flavortown — plus six shops including Octavia's Bookshelf. The five post-security restrooms get real tilework and free menstrual products, and there's a pet relief area with a miniature fire hydrant. One heads-up: the outlets are USB-C, so pack the right cable.

Burbank currently handles 70 to 85 flights a day. The long-term goal is growth, but Hatanaka says that won't come overnight.