Airport review: Los Angeles International (LAX) Terminal 2's $3.2 billion upgrade

LOUNGE

As a veteran of US airport lounges that are often dingy places apparently furnished as 1960s gentlemen's clubs, I was impressed by Delta's new Sky Lounge that is bright and contemporary. Perhaps the most spectacular feature in its 2800 square metres is the indoor/outdoor double bar so you can order drinks at the outside bar on a balmy LA evening and watch aircraft movements. While basic drinks are free you must pay for premium drinks – a marguerita was $US10.50. On the other hand a server asked if she could refill my wine at the lounge where I sat. There are showers, buffets and recharging outlets everywhere.

Access to the Sky Lounge is quite restricted. Passengers travelling in Delta One, holders of some Delta credit cards or American Express Platinum cards, and annual Sky Lounge members are included and Delta is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance.

HEALTH

Delta's FlyReady app takes a lot of the worry out of flying in the age of Covid19. It allows you to download all your documentation for pre-approval before heading to the airport. Out of Sydney I had to take a COVID19 test (RAT or PCR) within 24 hours of flying (I opted for Chemist Warehouse supervised test for $30, including two test kits) and then scanned it to the app and had it approved within hours. Returning to Australia I completed the Australian Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) and the FlyReady requirements days before flying. I carried hard copies of everything but only needed my passport and the boarding passes on my phone throughout.

SECURITY

Staying airside meant there was no security to pass through in either terminal. Entering the US I had to pass through security at T2 and it was crowded, confusing and slow (30+ minutes). Shoes and belt off and waiting while large hand luggage items were scanned was anything but relaxing. Fortunately, this northern summer the number of security lanes will double.

FOOD AND DRINK

There's a range of eating and drinking options including pizza, burgers and the inevitable Starbucks. I opted to wait for my in-flight dinner.

RETAIL THERAPY

There is a limited range of shopping options in T2. These include an InMotion electronics store, DFS Duty Free, and both CNBC and Univision for magazines, newspapers and snacks. There's a much wider range of shops at Tom Bradley.

PASSING TIME

There's complimentary WiFi across the terminal for those who like to browse or work. The Delta app lets you track your checked luggage in real time, too. Perhaps the most entertaining way to pass the time, especially in a busy period, is to stand near the gates and listen to the increasingly desperate messages over the PA for people to check wheeled hand luggage or to accept substantial sums of credit to transfer from an overfull flight to a later one.

TRANSFERS

The signage across LAX for transfers is not great. If you fly into T2 and are flying home out of Tom Bradley do not head for the baggage area. Rather aim for Gate 21B and walk down the ramp where you'll be directed to a shuttle to TBIT (aka Terminal B). Allow time for the transfer as you may wait 5-10 minutes for the bus and spend a further 10-15 minutes driving around the airport, a great bonus excursion for aircraft nerds.

THE VERDICT

The upgrades and the merging of T2 and T3 makes flying Delta a much more appealing option, particularly if you're flying beyond LAX. The new lounge in the skyway between the two is a delight for those who can access it. When the project is complete in 2023 you'll be able to walk airside to Tom Bradley International Terminal.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★½