Hollywood Burbank Airport Is Getting a Game-Changing $1.3 Billion New Terminal
For decades, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) has been the go-to alternative for savvy Southern California travelers who want to skip the chaos of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Nestled just 12 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, this beloved mid-sized airport has built its reputation on charm, convenience, and a refreshingly human-scale travel experience. Now, that reputation is about to get a major upgrade. In October 2026, BUR is set to unveil a brand-new, $1.3 billion replacement terminal — and it promises to transform the way millions of passengers experience air travel in the greater Los Angeles area.
A Brief History of Hollywood Burbank Airport
Hollywood Burbank Airport has a rich history that stretches back nearly a century. First opened in 1930, the airport has gone through a handful of names over the decades before settling on its current identity. Despite its many transformations, BUR has always maintained a distinctive character that sets it apart from larger, more impersonal hubs like LAX or Los Angeles/Ontario International Airport.
Today, nine commercial airlines operate out of BUR, offering nonstop flights to approximately 30 destinations across North America. Its location makes it the closest major airport to beloved Southern California attractions such as Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Universal Studios Hollywood — a fact that gives it a notable edge for both leisure and business travelers heading to the entertainment corridor of the region.
What Makes Hollywood Burbank Airport So Popular?
Ask any frequent BUR traveler why they love the airport, and you'll likely hear the same things repeated: close-in parking, easy public transit access, a remarkably fast curb-to-gate journey, and a laid-back atmosphere that larger airports simply cannot replicate. The airport is also one of the few remaining facilities in the country where passengers walk across the tarmac and climb airstairs to board their planes — a nostalgic experience that feels more like the golden age of aviation than a modern-day commuter grind.
These qualities have made BUR something of a cult favorite among Los Angeles-area travelers. But as much as passengers love the airport's quirky, old-school personality, the existing infrastructure has been showing its age in increasingly hard-to-ignore ways.
The Problems With the Current Terminal
The existing Hollywood Burbank Airport terminal is 96 years old, and it shows. The current facility features two concourses and 14 gates, but according to Patrick Lammerding, the airport's deputy executive director of operations, security and safety management systems, the terminal is cramped and falls short of many modern-day airport necessities and conveniences.
Among the most pressing concerns is the terminal's struggle to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements — a significant issue for a public-facing facility that serves millions of travelers annually. Beyond accessibility, the aging infrastructure simply lacks the space, technology, and amenities that today's passengers have come to expect from even mid-sized airports. Long lines, limited dining and retail options, and inadequate facilities have increasingly frustrated travelers who otherwise love everything else about flying into and out of Burbank.
The decision to build an entirely new replacement terminal, rather than attempt a patchwork renovation of the existing structure, reflects a clear-eyed recognition that the current building has reached the end of its serviceable life. A fresh start was not just desirable — it was necessary.
What to Expect From the New $1.3 Billion Terminal
The new Hollywood Burbank Airport terminal is being constructed just north of the current facility and is scheduled to open in October 2026. At $1.3 billion, it represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the region's aviation history. While the full details of the terminal's design and amenities continue to emerge, the project is built around a core promise: preserve everything travelers love about BUR while dramatically improving the experience.
- Modern accessibility: The new terminal will be fully compliant with ADA requirements, ensuring that passengers of all abilities can navigate the airport with ease and dignity.
- Updated facilities: Travelers can expect expanded dining and retail options, more comfortable gate areas, and contemporary restrooms and passenger services throughout the building.
- Improved capacity: With more gates and greater overall square footage, the new terminal will be better equipped to handle current and future passenger volumes without the uncomfortable crowding that plagues the existing facility.
- Preserved charm: Airport officials have emphasized that the distinctive character and convenience that define BUR will carry over into the new terminal. The goal is an upgrade, not a reinvention.
Why This Matters for LA-Area Travelers
The new terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport arrives at a critical moment for Southern California aviation. With LAX undergoing its own massive, multi-year renovation and expansion program in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics, travelers across the region are increasingly looking for reliable alternatives. BUR is uniquely positioned to absorb some of that demand — but only if its infrastructure can keep pace.
A modernized terminal with improved capacity and amenities makes BUR a far more compelling option for a wider range of travelers. Whether you're a business traveler seeking a quick connection, a family heading to a Universal Studios vacation, or a frequent flyer who simply values getting in and out of an airport without the ordeal that LAX so often entails, the new BUR terminal is designed with your needs in mind.
The airport's proximity to Hollywood, Burbank's entertainment industry, and key northern Los Angeles neighborhoods also means that the new terminal could attract additional airline service over time, potentially expanding the number of nonstop destinations available from BUR.
The Bottom Line
Hollywood Burbank Airport has always punched above its weight as one of Southern California's most passenger-friendly travel hubs. The $1.3 billion new terminal set to open in October 2026 is a long-overdue investment that will bring the airport's physical infrastructure in line with the outstanding reputation it has built over nearly a century of operation. For LA-area travelers, this is genuinely exciting news: the convenience and charm of BUR are here to stay, and they're about to get a whole lot better. Mark your calendars, and start planning your next trip through Burbank.