Turner and FlatironDragados Open $2.6B Terminal 1 at San Diego

(SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA) Turner and FlatironDragados’ joint venture opened the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport on the evening of Monday, September 22, 2025, with all flights moving to the facility on Tuesday, September 23. The opening completes the first phase of a multi-year modernization that began in 2021 and replaces the original 1967 building. Airport leaders say the project is designed to meet fast-rising demand and improve the experience for travelers, including international visitors and new immigrants arriving in the United States 🇺🇸 through Southern California.

The first phase carries a price tag of $2.6 billion, part of a broader plan budgeted at $3 billion. The new Terminal 1 is nearly three times larger than the old facility and launches with 19 gates, 13 security lanes, seven baggage carousels, 23 restrooms, 17 new food and retail options, and a 5,200-space parking plaza. By early 2028, the gate count is slated to reach 30 as phase two builds out more capacity and a fully automated baggage handling system.

Airport staff marked the changeover with events for first-arriving passengers, a nod to the region’s strong ties to global travel and the cross-border community. Many longtime employees described seeing the last flights depart the former building as both a proud and bittersweet moment, closing a chapter that began when the original terminal was built to serve just 2.5 million passengers a year. Today, demand has grown to roughly 20 million, underscoring why the airport leaned into this large, long-term build.

What opens now and what’s next

From day one, Terminal 1 offers wider concourses, more natural light, and expanded seating. The design adds drought-tolerant landscaping and systems that capture and reuse water, reflecting regional priorities during a time of climate strain. Public art and an outdoor dining area with skyline views aim to make waits more pleasant, which matters for families and first-time visitors who can feel anxious after long flights.

Key features available now:
– 19 gates (increasing to 30 by 2028)
– 13 security lanes for faster screening
– Seven baggage carousels to reduce crowding
– 17 food and retail locations, featuring local and national brands
– 23 restrooms designed for higher traffic
– 5,200-space parking plaza linked to the terminal

Phase two work begins in October 2025. It focuses on:
1. Adding 11 more gates
2. Installing a state-of-the-art automated baggage handling system
3. Building additional passenger amenities

Construction for phase two is targeted for completion in early 2028. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the staged approach lets the airport keep serving travelers while bringing online the parts that deliver the most immediate relief—gates, security lanes, and baggage capacity.

Impact on travelers, immigrants, and cross-border families

San Diego International Airport is a key entry point for the region, with many travelers connecting from international flights through West Coast hubs. The new Terminal 1’s added gates and security lanes aim to ease missed connections and shorten the time it takes to get from plane to curb.

Who benefits:
– New immigrants with tight windows to meet landlords, schools, or employers after arrival
– International students arriving close to the start of a term
– Families traveling with elders or small children who need extra time
– Workers crossing the border for business who rely on dependable flight schedules

While Terminal 1 primarily serves domestic flights today, the increased gate capacity can strengthen connectivity with international routes and improve overall on-time performance across the airport. For those coming from abroad, a smoother domestic connection often decides whether the first days in the country feel calm or overwhelming.

The terminal’s sustainability features also matter for the people who live and work around the airport. Drought-tolerant landscaping and water reuse help the city manage scarce resources, while modern building systems can reduce energy use. Projects of this scale often face criticism over cost and disruption; supporters argue the spending creates a facility sized for demand through the next decade, with design choices that respect regional limits.

Important: For people who need to show proof of lawful entry after traveling, most noncitizens receive an electronic entry record, the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). You can access, print, or save it from the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at Get I-94 record (CBP). Having your I-94 handy helps with steps like completing work forms, school enrollment, or certain immigration filings.

Keep your I-94 with your passport and travel history, especially if you plan to apply for:
– A driver’s license
– A Social Security number
– A work authorization card

Travel tips for the new Terminal 1

• Arrive early while routines settle. For morning flights, plan for extra time at security as staff fine-tune lane operations.
• Check your airline’s baggage policies. With a new system coming in phase two, baggage cut-off times may change over the next two years.
• Build in a wider layover if connecting to or from an international flight this fall as airlines adjust gates and schedules.
• Keep your Form I-94 copy and admission stamp (if given) together; both can be useful when starting a new job or enrolling in school.
• Choose a well-marked meeting spot near the baggage claim boards if you’re meeting relatives who are new to the United States 🇺🇸 to avoid confusion in the larger space.

Design, accessibility, and economic effects

Airport leaders describe the Terminal 1 opening as a “new benchmark” for design that balances capacity and comfort. The open layout, intuitive wayfinding, and local concessions aim to reduce stress, especially for those who may not be fluent in English. Clear signs and more restrooms can make a real difference to older travelers and parents juggling strollers, bags, and paperwork.

Economic and community impacts:
– Construction jobs and new retail roles add to local employment
– Improved reliability can boost tourism and business travel
– Employers recruiting talent from overseas may find it easier to plan start dates
– Fewer last-minute cancellations may reduce disruptions to life events (weddings, graduations, medical visits)

Short-term challenges and long-term outlook

Still, adjustments take time. Moving every flight to Terminal 1 in one step can create hiccups as airlines fine-tune crew schedules and ground operations. Parking patterns often change during the first months of a big opening. Passengers should watch airline alerts closely and allow flexibility.

The airport’s decision to concentrate early improvements where travelers feel them most—security, seating, and baggage—suggests wait times should ease steadily after the initial rush. The original Terminal 1 stood for nearly six decades, and replacing it with a $2.6 billion phase-one facility signals that the region plans for the next wave of growth while keeping a close eye on water and energy use.

If phase two delivers on schedule by early 2028, San Diego International Airport will have a 30-gate Terminal 1 built around more space, cleaner systems, and smoother connections—practical gains that matter to every traveler stepping off a plane, whether returning home, visiting family, or starting a new life in a new country.