Hollywood Burbank Airport is entering one of the biggest changes in its history. A new replacement passenger terminal is scheduled to open in October 2026, giving travelers a larger, more accessible and more modern gateway to Burbank, Hollywood and the northern Los Angeles area. For visitors who prefer a smaller airport experience over the scale of LAX, the project is especially important.
This guide explains what is changing, when the terminal is expected to open, what construction may mean for current passengers and how to plan a smoother airport day. Because schedules and access conditions can change, travelers should always confirm details through the official airport and project websites before leaving home.
What Is Changing at Hollywood Burbank Airport?
The existing passenger facilities have served generations of travelers, but the airport has outgrown many parts of the current layout. The replacement project creates a single passenger terminal with more room for check-in, security, baggage handling, waiting areas, restrooms and passenger services. The official project calls for a 355,000-square-foot building with 14 gates.
The number of gates is important. BUR is getting a much larger terminal, but it is not adding more gates than the airport currently operates. The project is primarily about improving the quality, safety and functionality of the passenger experience rather than dramatically increasing the airport’s physical flight capacity.
A Larger Terminal Without a Larger Gate Count
Travelers should expect the new building to feel significantly more spacious even though the gate count remains at 14. The existing airport is split between Terminals A and B, with separate checkpoints and a compact circulation pattern. The replacement will bring passenger functions into one modern facility, which should make the airport easier to understand for first-time visitors.
A single-terminal layout should create clearer connections among check-in, security, concessions, gates and baggage claim. Final passenger flow and airline assignments will become clearer closer to opening.
Why the terminal is being replaced
The project is not simply a cosmetic renovation. According to the City of Burbank, the replacement is needed to address current Federal Aviation Administration safety standards involving the distance between airport buildings and runways. The city also identifies seismic safety, accessibility and improved passenger facilities as central reasons for the project.
Burbank voters approved Measure B in 2016, allowing the airport authority to proceed with a replacement terminal. Construction began in 2024 after years of planning, design review and environmental work. The result is intended to replace aging infrastructure without changing the airport’s established 14-gate limit.
For passengers, the most visible benefits should be more room, clearer circulation and updated amenities without a major increase in gate count.
What passengers can expect inside
Final tenant and concession details may continue to develop, but the larger footprint allows for improved check-in space, security screening, baggage facilities, restrooms, seating and food-and-retail areas. Accessibility improvements are also a core part of the project, which should make the airport easier to navigate for travelers with disabilities, older passengers and families managing luggage or strollers.
The experience will still be shaped by BUR’s practical location. The airport sits close to Burbank’s studio district, Downtown Burbank and several northern Los Angeles neighborhoods. Visitors can use it as a starting point for a focused city break rather than treating the airport as a place to pass through as quickly as possible.
Before or after a flight, explore our Burbank food and drink guides for nearby breakfast, coffee and dinner ideas. Travelers with extra time can also browse our things to do in Burbank page for studio experiences, parks and local attractions.
Opening Timeline and Construction Access
The official Elevate BUR project site states that the new passenger terminal is scheduled to open in October 2026. Until the transition is complete, the existing terminals remain the active passenger facilities. Travelers should not assume that a future-looking construction image or map represents the entrance they need on the day of their flight.
Construction near an operating airport can affect road access, sidewalks, bike routes and traffic patterns. The City of Burbank has already issued temporary traffic advisories connected to terminal construction. Conditions may shift as crews complete roadways, parking connections and the final transition from the old facilities to the new building.
What to expect before opening day
Passengers flying before the new terminal opens should continue following current airline instructions and existing airport signs. Check the airline app for the latest terminal information, then review the official Hollywood Burbank Airport website for parking, rideshare, public transportation and access updates.
Allow extra time when construction advisories are active. BUR is known for convenience, but a temporary lane closure or changed entrance can erase that time advantage if a traveler arrives with no buffer. During busy weekends and holiday periods, parking availability and security lines can also vary.
People picking up passengers should confirm the approved waiting and pickup areas rather than circling or stopping where curbside waiting is prohibited. Drivers should also watch for updated signs on Hollywood Way, Thornton Avenue and Empire Avenue. Navigation apps help, but temporary airport instructions should take priority when signs and app routing disagree.
The most reliable project updates come from the official Elevate BUR website. That site provides construction information, project background and updates about the replacement terminal. Check it again shortly before travel, especially as the scheduled opening approaches.
How to Plan a Smoother Trip Through BUR
A new terminal can improve the airport experience, but good planning will still matter. The best strategy is to separate confirmed information from assumptions. Verify the flight, airline instructions, parking choice, pickup location and transportation plan individually rather than relying on an old routine.
During the transition, treat the opening as a reset. Review the new map and passenger instructions even if you know the old terminals well.
Arrival, Parking, Transportation, and Nearby Stops
Hollywood Burbank Airport is served by private vehicles, rideshare services, taxis, rental cars, buses and rail connections. The best option depends on departure time, trip length, luggage and where the traveler is coming from. Someone staying in Downtown Burbank may have a very different plan from a passenger arriving from the Westside or the San Gabriel Valley.
Drivers should compare short-term, long-term and valet options on the airport website rather than relying on a remembered price or lot name. Parking rates, entrances and capacity can change. For drop-off and pickup, save the traveler’s airline and flight number so you can check delays before entering the airport area.
Public transportation can be useful, but it requires attention to station names, schedules and the final connection to the terminal. Build in time for transfers and verify whether service changes are in effect. A rideshare can be simpler for a group, while rail may be attractive for a solo traveler who is not carrying much luggage.
Turn an airport day into a Burbank day
One advantage of flying through BUR is that the surrounding city offers worthwhile stops close to the airport. Instead of spending a long layover or pre-hotel window in a generic chain restaurant, travelers can plan coffee, lunch or a short neighborhood walk in Burbank.
The Airport District is convenient for hotels and transportation, while nearby Magnolia Park is known for independent shops, cafés and a neighborhood atmosphere. Downtown Burbank provides a denser mix of restaurants, entertainment and shopping. The Media District places visitors close to the city’s studio identity and several recognizable local dining spots.
Start with our Airport District guide, then compare it with our broader Burbank neighborhood guides. When timing a stop, stay conservative. Los Angeles-area traffic can change quickly, and no meal or photo opportunity is worth risking a flight.
For departing passengers, choose a nearby stop that keeps you on the airport side of the city and finish well before your recommended arrival time. For arriving passengers, a Burbank meal can be a relaxed way to let traffic ease before continuing elsewhere in Los Angeles. Families may prefer a park or casual restaurant, while film and television fans may want to begin with a studio-area drive or a planned tour on the following day.
The replacement terminal represents a major new chapter for Hollywood Burbank Airport, but the airport’s strongest advantage remains its relationship with the city around it. The goal is not simply to build a larger room for travelers. It is to create a safer, more accessible and more comfortable gateway that still feels connected to Burbank.
As October 2026 approaches, details about access, concessions, airline operations and opening-day procedures may be updated. Bookmark this guide, confirm official information before every trip and explore more practical local coverage throughout Burbank Insider.