One year ago, American Airlines and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officially broke ground on a $1.6 billion project to reimagine the carrier’s hub at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminals 4 and 5 — the largest individual investment at an airport in American’s 93-year history.

The project aims to fully modernize and update the infrastructure of LAX’s two busiest domestic terminals. When completed, the new facility will create a world-class customer experience from end to end, with open and efficient check-in and security areas, more inviting gate areas with increased seating and access to modern amenities, and greater ability for airline operations to incorporate rapidly evolving new technologies.

In just a year, the project has accomplished significant milestones:

• Completion of Phase 1 of the Terminal 5 ticket lobby renovation
• Relocation and renovation of the Terminal 5 customer service agent breakroom
• Completion of two new carousels for baggage claim in Terminal 5
• Renovation of Terminal 4 administration offices

With its immense size and scale, the project has also generated eye-popping statistics during year one:

Construction at Terminals 4 and 5 continues to occur in a carefully planned and phased approach to ensure a world-class experience for American’s nearly 16 million annual customers and more than 7,300 team members at LAX. The majority of the public-facing components of the project are expected to be complete in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

American is the largest carrier at LAX with more than 200 daily flights to 70 destinations and is the only airline at LAX with nonstop service to five continents. Since 2013, American has grown to become the largest airline employer at LAX, having increased its employee presence by more than 60%. Today, more than 7,300 team members are based at the hub, producing a $14.5 billion total economic output in the region last year — a figure which grew by 10% in just one year.

Earlier this year, American became the first Founding Partner of LA Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park (LASED) and the official airline of the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams. The carrier continues to grow and strengthen its nearly 75-year presence in Los Angeles by investing in infrastructure and the community.

In addition to strengthening the local economy, American has strong partnerships with community organizations focused on disaster relief, health and human services and military/veterans initiatives. Most recently, initiatives include:

• Partnering with the Rams and Carter’s Kids to construct a 1,500-plus-square-foot playground at Bennett-Kew Elementary School in Inglewood, CA, designed for children ages 5–12. The new facility, which opened in April, features climbing walls, ladders, slides and more.
• Strengthening a multimillion dollar partnership with Stand Up To Cancer. Anyone who made a donation of $25 or more to Stand Up during July could add the name of a person they stand up for to an Airbus A321. The plane, American’s official Stand Up To Cancer plane that began flying this fall, is wrapped with a special design that displays those names for the world to see.
• Supporting the Gary Sinise Foundation’s military and veterans programs, including Snowball Express, which sends 12 charter flights transporting children and spouses of those who have died in service from 35 locations to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for a five-day vacation.