“Don’t worry,” said our Terminal 1 assistant. Those departing from T1 atSan Diego International AirportBefore September 23, and returning on that day or later will not result in a time-space distortion. It’s just a visit to the new concourse.
We have individuals here who will remind them that they’re fine, that they’re not in another city,” said Angela Shafer-Payne. “They’re in San Diego. They’ve returned to San Diego.
Shafer-Payne, the chief development officer for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, conducted a media tour on Tuesday to showcase the first phase of the New Terminal 1 Project, which will initially feature 19 gates, with an additional 11 planned.
On the day the new T1 opens, all remaining equipment is removed from the old T1. A week later, asbestos removal starts, followed by demolition — paving the way for the second phase of T1.
“Now’s your final opportunity if you want one more photo of the facility,” she said to the group of reporters.
But don’t expect her to meet the old T1’s standards, as it will be demolished by the end of the year.
We can’t locate someone who was present in 1967 to inform us that there’s no hidden structure beneath the surface,” Shafer-Payne stated. “Of course, we aren’t aware of what we’re unaware of, are we?
There is no ambiguity regarding the art-filled, naturally lit new terminal — stretching between 1,800 and 1,900 feet in length and covering approximately 1.16 million square feet (which includes 90,000 square feet of food and beverage areas).
Andy Huang,The design director for T1 architect Gensler praised the use of wood veneer, highlighting its acoustic benefits that “effectively reduce” ambient noise.
Doesn’t have that loud echo, right?” he said. “It’s soothing.
Kris McCann,The director of interior design at Gensler explained how the air-conditioning would come from 9-foot-tall columns. “What’s truly clever about this design is that it conserves energy and is environmentally friendly. It cools the area at the level where passengers are,” he stated.
In reality, authorities are aiming for LEED-Gold certification — an esteemed form of eco-friendly building recognition given by the U.S. Green Building Council, which demands that projects adhere to rigorous environmental construction guidelines. (Platinum is the only higher designation.)
Curved glass, brought in from abroad, will minimize glare at the $3.8 billion terminal constructed by Turner-Flatiron.
The lower level will contain four miles of luggage conveyors.
So if you’re asking… where does your bag go? It takes quite a journey, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride,” said Disneyland referencing Shafer-Payne, “but the positive part is that the system tracks it with a tag… as you’ve checked in your luggage. We’ve been experimenting with this system for a while, and likely caused [an official] some gray hairs while we worked through the testing.
They completed an 8,000-point checklist and achieved an accuracy rate exceeding 99%.
I really appreciate the team working on it,” she said. “They kept sending videos. The system is intelligent enough to recognize [destinations]. So it’s similar to that automatic merge onto the highway, right? Our luggage is treated better than we are.
TSA is also “very excited” about the potential for improved efficiency — with additional stations located under a shelter and close to Amy Ellington’s “A Day in the Sun” artwork (one of five works commissioned for the new terminal).
However, the baggage claim area will begin with a carousel marked 2, not 1. (That one will arrive later.)
For individuals with full physical ability, the journey from one end of T1 to the other will not be assisted by a moving walkway, however.
“It was a serious thought,” Shafer-Payne stated. “We simply didn’t have the room” for walkways on both sides. Installing a moving walkway would also have necessitated elevating the concourse or excavating further to make space for the equipment.
But, she said, “We will provide golf carts in this building” for those who require assistance.
In addition to standard seating options, there are also swivel chairs (high-backed bucket seats designed for viewing aircraft) and sectional couches. An outdoor patio that can accommodate 296 people is open to the public and features various types of chairs, including some that have a rocking motion.
In 2024, over 25 million individuals passed through SAN, whereas Terminal 1 had only 2.5 million passengers when it first opened in 1967. The airport predicts that by 2035, the total number of yearly travelers using both terminals will reach 39 million.
Approximately 30 restaurants and shops are set to open, featuring public art initiatives such as a prominent jellyfish sculpture byMatthew Mazzotta.The shelves started being filled on Tuesday.
Food and drink options in Terminal 1
- Better Buzz
- Parfait Paris
- The Taco Stand
- Ambrosio 15
- Luna Grill
- McDonald’s
- Lofty Coffee
- Market Hall
- SIP Wine & Beer
- 900 Degrees by Tony Hawk
- JT Bros. Handcrafted Sandwiches
- Cutwater Restaurant & Bar
Specialty shops
- Univision Travel Store
- The Arts District Market
- SAN Supply Co.
- No Boundaries
- Liberty Station Gifts
A public open house will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, September 14, offering self-guided tours. There is no need for registration, and parking is available in the T1 parking plaza — free for the first three hours with validation.
A 10-year lease and operational agreement with airlines is funding the T1 project, along with federal grants — $75 million to date — through the Airport Terminals Program under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Construction on T1 started on November 1, 2021, and a new administrative facility for San Diego County Regional Airport Authority staff became operational in 2023. A five-level parking structure with 5,200 spaces, referred to as a plaza, was opened in June.
Phase 1B is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.
