San Diego International Airports opens first phase of new Terminal 1 with modern facilities

Credit: San Diego International Airport

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority celebrated the official opening of Phase 1A of the new Terminal 1 (New T1) at San Diego International Airport (SAN) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event brought together executives from the Airport Authority, partner airlines, and the Turner-Flatiron joint-venture construction team, marking a major milestone in the airport’s history.

The New T1 replaces the 58-year-old Terminal 1 with a modern facility designed to enhance the passenger experience and meet the growing travel demands of the San Diego region. With its thoughtful design and expanded amenities, the terminal reflects the Airport Authority’s commitment to efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. Turner-Flatiron served as the delivery team, with Gensler as lead architect.

“On behalf of our partnering agencies, stakeholders and all the employees and tenants at San Diego International Airport, we are truly proud to open the new Terminal 1 and share all that it offers with San Diego and the world,” said Kimberly Becker, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “The existing Terminal 1 has served our community for more than five decades and today we are ushering in a new era. The New T1 provides the comfort, convenience, and efficiency travellers expect while reflecting the spirit of San Diego.”

“We are thrilled to commemorate this historic day and celebrate the tremendous effort and planning that went into making this day possible,” said Gil Cabrera, Airport Authority Board Chair. “I am proud of the Airport Authority team and their unwavering commitment to bring San Diego a new Terminal 1. The airport is often the first and last impression we get to make as a city, and the New T1 is something San Diegans will be proud of now and for generations to come.”

Phase 1A features 19 new gates, an expansive ticketing hall with 69 check-in kiosks and 66 ticket counters, a security checkpoint with 13 lanes, seven baggage carrousels capable of handling 4,000 bags per hour, and 17 restaurants and retail stores. An outdoor dining area offers views of San Diego Bay and downtown.

Travellers will have access to more than 90,000 square feet of concession space, including 12 food and beverage options and five specialty retail stores. Restaurants range from local to national brands offering quick grab-and-go or sit-down experiences, including Ambrogio 15, Better Buzz, Cutwater Restaurant and Bar, JT Bros Handcrafted Sandwiches, Lofty Coffee, Luna Grill, Market Hall, McDonald’s, Novocientos Grados, Parfait Paris, SIP Wine and Beer, and The Taco Stand. Retail stores include Liberty Station Gifts, No Boundaries, The Arts District Market, SAN Supply Co., and Univision Travel Store.

The terminal’s glass façade, designed by James Carpenter, is called “Luminous Wave.” It comprises 537 curved, fritted glass panels that allow natural light to illuminate the ticketing and baggage claim halls while reducing heat and glare on screens.

San Diego’s artistic and cultural identity is highlighted through five major commissioned public art pieces integrated into the terminal design, including A Day in the Sun by Amy Ellington, RISE (pink jellyfish) by Matthew Mazzotta, Vessel of Light by Erwin Redl, Migrations by Walter Hood, and Torrey Pines by Nova Jiang. These works celebrate the region’s lifestyle, history, and natural beauty.

The project also includes more than four miles of new roadways, a three-lane entrance route, and a dual-level roadway separating arrivals and departures. Close-in parking is available at the five-storey Terminal 1 Parking Plaza with 5,200 spaces.

Sustainability is central to the New T1 programme. The terminal will operate on 100 percent carbon-free electricity. The adjacent Parking Plaza provides over 250 EV charging stations with an additional 250 EV-ready spaces, as well as more than 300 bicycle parking spaces. Airfield improvements reduce emissions through an underground fuel-delivery system, and a 900,000-gallon cistern captures and reuses stormwater. The facility is designed to withstand future climate impacts and is pursuing LEED-Gold certification.

Construction on Phase 1B will begin in early 2026. Three additional gates will open in spring 2026, with the remaining eight gates opening in early 2028, bringing the total number of gates to 30.

Beyond passenger amenities, the $3.8 billion New T1 project is estimated to generate over $4.5 billion for San Diego’s economy. Upon completion, the programme will have created 25,300 jobs paying $2 billion in wages. Local governments are expected to receive $127 million in tax revenues, supporting public services and infrastructure.

For more information on the New T1, please visit newT1.com.

SIGN ME UP