McCarthy Bldg. Cos., Inc.

Architect:

Corgan Associates, Inc.

Client:

Delta Airlines

Scope Of Work

The Delta Air Lines Enabling project included preconstruction services and relocation of Delta Air Lines, and 28 other airlines, at Los Angeles International Airport. Referred to as the “LAX Terminal Shuffle” and “Airmageddon,” the relocation was the largest of its kind in U.S. aviation history. 

The project included migrating Delta Air Lines’ operations from LAX Terminals 5 and 6 to Terminals 2 and 3. The relocation was part of a long-term plan to connect Terminals 2 and 3 with the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which will increase Delta’s flight capacity and international operations at LAX. 

Scheduling, testing and budgeting preconstruction services helped determine the most efficient way to move 28 airlines while keeping travelers safe and flight operations on schedule. Months of logistical planning, scheduling and construction culminated in a carefully orchestrated series of tear downs, builds and moves over the course of three nights without disrupting normally scheduled flights.

In order to manage the logistical complexity of the historic relocation, the team brought all stakeholders together to collaboratively plan for success. During the final nights of the shuffle, the team coordinated changes with airport staff, every airline and their individual stakeholders, including employees and passengers, trade partners and owners. 

McCarthy committed to a 24/7 schedule in order to ensure successful delivery in a scenario where extra time was not an option. Work was completed on-time, throughout five terminals equaling 28-square-miles, in 125 unique work areas including baggage handling systems, airline clubs, gate counters, ticketing offices, IT rooms, ramp operations areas and flight display monitors.