LAX Will Demolish Terminal 5 Next Week, and Airlines Start Moving Out Today

Updated: October 21, 2025, 7:37am CDT

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Airlines Will Be Assigned New Terminals Before LAX’s Terminal 5 Closes
Final Thoughts

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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is undergoing a major transformation.

As part of the airport’s upgrade, Terminal 5, which is used by American Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, will cease all operations on October 28, 2025, before it gets demolished and rebuilt. This is part of the airport’s ongoing renovations, and part of the vision for this is preparing for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

“Our goal is to minimize disruption during this transition, and we are working closely with our airline partners to ensure continued operations and smooth travel for our passengers,” said Doug Webster, chief airport operations and maintenance officer at LAX.

Let’s take a look at how Terminal 5’s closure could affect your next flight from LAX.

Airlines Will Be Assigned New Terminals Before LAX’s Terminal 5 Closes

The new Terminal 5 is just a small part of LAX‘s $30 billion Capital Improvement Program, which is scheduled to be completed before the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.

The main airlines that use Terminal 5, American, JetBlue, and Spirit, will move their operations to other terminals starting today, October 21. This was confirmed by the airport’s X account (formerly Twitter).

Flying JetBlue From LAX

As of today, October 21, JetBlue will join Southwest in Terminal 1. It will be the new home for check-in and departure for all of the New York-based carrier’s flights.

Flying Spirit From LAX

The next airline to leave Terminal 5 is Spirit on October 22. Passengers will now need to head to Terminal 2 to complete check-in. Spirit’s arrivals and departures, on the other hand, will now be located at Midfield Satelite Concourse South, which is opening just for Spirit.

Flying American From LAX

Passengers flying American will be the least affected by the move. The airline operates flights from terminals 4, 5, and Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

American’s check-in counters in Terminal 5 will close, meaning all check-ins will now be done at the existing counters in Terminal 4. As for passengers flying American on international flights from TBIT, check-in will still take place in its current location between terminals 4 and 5.

However, American’s Terminal 5 Admirals Club will also close, which could result in crowding issues at the Admirals Club in Terminal 4.

Bottom Line:

There’s a lot happening down at LAX. As well as terminal closures and airline moves, the airport recently opened the new LAX/Metro Transit Center Station.

Final Thoughts

LAX’s $30 billion overhaul was much-needed. The slight disruption passengers might face with the closure of Terminal 5 is necessary for the works to be complete before Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympic and Paralympic games in 2028.