Star Alliance carriers will move to a new home at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from early 2014.

Asia Pacific-based Star members including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Air New Zealand and ANA will move to revamped Tom Bradley International Terminal, which is currently undergoing a US$1.7 billion makeover.

The terminal upgrade will add 18 new gates and a new dining and retail precinct. Passengers transiting through LAX will also be able to make use of a new 16,700m² area of dining, shopping, retail and other passenger amenities.

A new Star Alliance lounge will also be created, the design and management of which is being coordinated by Air New Zealand.

The Auckland-based airline’s General Manager for the Americas, Roger Poulton, said the move would boost the passenger experience at LAX.

“The new terminal facilities have been designed to accommodate 30% more passengers an hour, so our customers can look forward to faster boarding and disembarking, more efficient customs and immigration processing and a much better food and retail experience,” Poulton said.

“Our customers will enjoy the new lounge which will be three times the size of the existing facility with different spaces to suit customer needs from a bar area for socialising through to a library space for some quiet time. A special feature will be the outdoor terrace with views over the northern runway towards the Hollywood hills.

“The design of the Star Alliance lounge is being led by Air New Zealand’s in-house design team and we will manage its day to day operation – so our customers are going to feel right at home,” Poulton added.

The terminal upgrade project will be completed in stages over the next two years.

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