History of Los Angeles International Airport in Timeline

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main international airport for Los Angeles, California, and its metropolitan area. It's situated in the Westchester neighborhood, approximately 18 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The airport's location is bordered by Westchester to the north, El Segundo to the south, and Inglewood to the east. LAX provides the closest air access for both the Westside and South Bay regions of Los Angeles.

1926: City Council recognizes need for airport

In 1926, the Los Angeles City Council and the Chamber of Commerce acknowledged the necessity for the city to establish its own airport to capitalize on the emerging aviation sector.

August 13, 1928: City leases land for airport

On August 13, 1928, the city officially leased the land for the airport, and the newly established Department of Airports commenced transforming the former wheat, barley, and lima bean fields into dirt landing strips.

October 1, 1928: Airport Opening

On October 1, 1928, the airport officially opened.

1929: Hangar No. 1 Erected

In 1929, the first structure, Hangar No. 1, was erected at the airport. The building still stands and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

June 7, 1930: Facility dedicated and renamed

On June 7, 1930, the facility was dedicated and officially renamed Los Angeles Municipal Airport.

January 1941: "Spirit of Seventy-Six" plane built

In January 1941, the DC-3 aircraft, known as "The Spirit of Seventy-Six," was constructed at the Douglas Aircraft Company plant in Santa Monica.

January 1942: Military assumes control of airport

In January 1942, the military took control of the airport, stationing fighter planes and constructing naval gun batteries in the ocean dunes to the west.

1943: Voters approve bond for airport improvements

In early 1943, airport managers successfully convinced voters to support a $12.5 million bond to fund airport improvements.

December 9, 1946: Passenger operations begin at LAX

On December 9, 1946, American Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), United Airlines, Southwest Airways, and Western Airlines commenced passenger operations at the airport.

1947: Airport identifiers expanded to three letters

In 1947, with the rapid growth in the aviation industry, airport identifiers were expanded to three letters, and "LA" was augmented to "LAX."

1949: Airport renamed Los Angeles International Airport

In 1949, the airport was officially renamed Los Angeles International Airport.

June 5, 1956: Voters approve bond for airport improvements

On June 5, 1956, airport leaders successfully persuaded voters to approve a $59 million bond for further airport improvements.

1958: Establishment of current layout

In 1958, the current layout of passenger facilities was established, featuring a series of terminals and parking facilities arranged in a U shape in the central part of the property.

June 25, 1961: Terminals 7 and 8 opened

On June 25, 1961, Terminals 7 and 8 were opened for United Airlines, marking the first of the new passenger buildings to be completed.

1961: Theme Building built

In 1961, the distinctive Theme Building was built in the Googie style, resembling a flying saucer.

1962: Continental Airlines announces headquarters move

In 1962, at a press conference held in the office of Mayor Sam Yorty, Continental Airlines revealed plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Los Angeles.

July 1963: Continental Airlines headquarters moved to LAX

In July 1963, Continental Airlines officially moved its headquarters to a new two-story building on the grounds of LAX.

1972: Preferential Runway Use Policy adopted

Since 1972, Los Angeles World Airports has implemented a "Preferential Runway Use Policy" to minimize noise levels in communities near LAX.

July 1, 1983: Continental Airlines headquarters relocated to Houston

On July 1, 1983, Continental Airlines relocated its headquarters to the America Tower in Houston.

November 1983: Second-level roadway added

In November 1983, a second-level roadway was added to LAX as part of a major expansion in preparation for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.

January 1984: Terminal 1 Opens

In January 1984, Terminal 1 opened at LAX as part of a major expansion in preparation for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.

June 1984: Tom Bradley International Terminal Opens

In June 1984, the Tom Bradley International Terminal opened at LAX as part of a major expansion in preparation for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.

1992: Theme Building designated a historic-cultural monument

In 1992, the Los Angeles City Council designated the Theme Building as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

1997: Theme Building renovation completed

In 1997, a $4 million renovation of the Theme Building was completed, featuring retro-futuristic interior and electric lighting designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, before the Encounter Restaurant opened there.

September 11, 2001: Observation Deck closed after 9/11

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the observation deck of the "Theme Building" was closed for security reasons.

2002: Film shoots produced revenue

From 2002 to 2005, film shoots at the Los Angeles airports, including LAX, generated $590 million for the Los Angeles region.

2005: Film shoots produced revenue

From 2002 to 2005, film shoots at the Los Angeles airports, including LAX, generated $590 million for the Los Angeles region.

2007: Runway relocation to accommodate taxiway

In 2007, the southernmost runway (07R/25L) was moved 55 feet (17 m) to the south to create space for a new central taxiway.

2008: Major expansion begins

In 2008, LAX began undergoing another major expansion, including terminal refurbishments and the substantial rebuilding of the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

July 2009: Continental Magazine issue highlights headquarters move

The July 2009 issue of Continental Magazine noted that the move of Continental Airline's headquarters to LAX in 1963 "underlined Continental Airlines western and Pacific orientation".

September 21, 2012: Space Shuttle Endeavour lands at LAX

On Friday, September 21, 2012, at 12:51 p.m., the Space Shuttle Endeavour, transported by a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, successfully landed at LAX on runway 25L, attracting an estimated crowd of 10,000 spectators.

2016: Plans to increase runway separation scrapped

In 2016, plans to increase the separation between runways in the North Airfield Complex were abandoned, in favor of lifting a gate cap at the airport and constructing a new park on the airport's north side.

2017: Aircraft movements at LAX

The number of aircraft movements (landings and takeoffs) at LAX was 700,362 in 2017, making it the third most of any airport in the world.

2018: Passenger and cargo traffic at LAX

In 2018, LAX served over 87 million passengers and 2 million tons of freight and mail.

2018: Bob Hope USO Relocates

In 2018, the Bob Hope USO expanded and relocated to the first floor of the Theme Building.

2019: LAX Origin and Destination Passengers

In 2019, LAWA reported that approximately 88 percent of travelers at LAX were origination and destination passengers, while 12 percent were connecting passengers.

2021: LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility Opens

In 2021, the LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility, featuring 4,300 parking spaces, opened, replacing the former Lot C.

2022: Fifth-busiest airport by passenger boardings

In 2022, LAX was the fifth-busiest airport by passenger boardings in the United States.

2023: LAX passenger count

In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, securing its position as the world's eighth-busiest airport according to the Airports Council International rankings.