Hollywood Burbank Airport Opens New Terminal
The $1.3 billion facility replaces outdated infrastructure to meet modern seismic and design standards.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Air Travel
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Hollywood Burbank Airport officially transitioned operations to its new 355,000-square-foot terminal on Tuesday morning. The expansive facility replaces the aging structure to comply with federal aviation and state seismic mandates.
Why it matters
The upgrade was necessary because the former 1930s-era facility failed to meet modern seismic codes and Federal Aviation Administration design requirements. The new layout also improves safety by increasing the distance between the terminal and the nearest runway.
The new terminal spans 355,000 square feet and features 14 gates, 8 TSA security lines, and 2,000 parking spots equipped with 310 electric vehicle charging ports. Passengers will face a walk of up to 1,285 feet from the entrance to the farthest gate.
The players
Federal Aviation Administration
This is the national authority responsible for regulating all aspects of civil aviation and establishing safety standards for airport design.
Transportation Security Administration
This is the federal agency tasked with ensuring the security of the traveling public through checkpoints and screening protocols at U.S. airports.
The details
Airport management guided travelers through the transition to the new building, which was stress-tested by 1,500 volunteers in a simulation trial last month. The project successfully concludes a development effort that began in 2024 following voter approval in 2016.
Timeline
1930 marks the build date of the original facility.
2016 is when voters approved the terminal replacement project.
2024 was the year construction began on the new project.
September 19, 2026, was when the passenger simulation trial took place.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, was the opening day for the new terminal.
Travel Outlook
This project follows a wave of terminal modernizations across U.S. airports aimed at addressing aging infrastructure that no longer meets current safety or passenger capacity demands. It reflects a shift toward prioritizing compliance with Federal Aviation Administration design standards for runway proximity.
Travelers should allow for extra time to navigate the larger facility, as the walk from the entrance to the most distant gate is 1,285 feet. Those driving to the airport can utilize 2,000 new parking spots, which include dedicated charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The takeaway
The transition represents a massive modernization effort to improve both seismic safety and passenger flow in the San Fernando Valley. Travelers arriving at the airport should prepare for the increased footprint of the new terminal compared to the previous facilities.
Further reading
For more updates on regional infrastructure, visit the Burbank Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aviation Pros.
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