Hollywood Burbank Airport’s long promised overhaul is finally on the calendar, with a brand-new replacement terminal slated to open October 13, 2026. The 355,000-square-foot, 14-gate building, priced at roughly $1.3 billion, will take over for the compact terminal that has been in service since 1930. Airport officials say travelers can look forward to a centralized ticket lobby, more TSA lanes, larger baggage claim areas and an expanded lineup of concessions, while still holding on to BUR’s trademark quick, close-in boarding experience.
The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority has pegged October 13, 2026 as the anticipated opening date and lists the project budget at just under $1.3 billion, with a guaranteed maximum construction price of about $1.11 billion, according to Hollywood Burbank Airport. The official Elevate BUR site details the amenities and construction schedule wrapped into the terminal replacement program.
What the new building will include
Federal environmental documents describe a 355,000-square-foot passenger terminal with 14 gates, supported by a 45,900-square-foot aircraft apron and a new on-airport parking structure in the northeast quadrant of the airfield, replacing the existing terminal’s footprint in the southeast, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plan also extends parallel taxiways and adds an aircraft rescue and firefighting station along with a central utilities plant to bring the airfield in line with modern safety and operational standards.
How the swap will work
Airport contracts call for a 60-day testing period before the terminal opens to passengers, with the new building coming online while the current terminal continues to operate, according to airport filings. Only after airlines and travelers fully shift over will the older terminal be demolished. The authority says that step-by-step phasing is designed to keep commercial flights running and to minimize headaches for both carriers and customers.
Who is building it - and where the job stands
The terminal is being delivered through a progressive design-build arrangement led by the Holder/Pankow/TEC joint venture, with Corgan and CannonDesign handling architecture and Jacobs managing the overall program. Construction has already reached a steel topping-out milestone earlier in the schedule, trade reporting shows. Financing is structured from a mix of airport revenue bonds, federal grants and Passenger Facility Charge revenue, and the airport has approved a guaranteed maximum price to lock in contract costs as the team works toward the October opening.
What it means for travelers and neighbors
For passengers, the checklist is straightforward: keep BUR’s fast curb-to-gate reputation, but add modern comforts. Plans call for a single centralized security checkpoint, roomier gate areas, more concession options and upgraded restrooms, all built around that quick-turn experience the airport is known for. The program also includes a larger parking garage with EV charging and a new on-airport access road. Airport documents and project materials state that the replacement was required to meet current FAA and California seismic standards and to bring the facility in line with modern accessibility expectations.
Local outlets surfaced the exact October 13 opening date this week, and Secret Los Angeles highlighted the schedule and renderings as the project heads into its final stretch. Airport officials say they will publish detailed activation plans and airline-switch instructions for travelers and carriers in the weeks leading up to opening day.
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