Burbank Airport's Gates: How Many Are There?

Hollywood Burbank Airport, which was first opened in 1930, is currently undergoing a $1.25 billion upgrade to its terminal facilities. The new terminal, which is expected to be completed in October 2026, will retain the same number of 14 gates as the current terminal but will be significantly larger at 355,000 square feet. This will allow for more passenger amenities, including additional shopping and dining options, as well as improved security and baggage screening areas. The new terminal will also be more accessible, with enhanced earthquake protection and improved ADA accessibility.

The airport's history and previous names

Hollywood Burbank Airport has had a long and varied history, with several name changes over the years. The airport is located three miles (4.8 km) northwest of downtown Burbank, in Los Angeles County, California, and serves Burbank, Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area.

The airport was originally known as United Airport from 1930 to 1934. It was a project of the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (UA&T), a holding company that included Boeing Aircraft and United Air Lines. UA&T acquired Pacific Air Transport (PAT) in January 1928 due to its west coast mail contract and sought a site for a new airport for PAT, eventually settling on Burbank. The 234-acre site was filled with vines and trees, and construction took just seven months. United Airport was dedicated amid much festivity, including an air show, on Memorial Day weekend in 1930 and was the largest commercial airport in the Los Angeles area until 1946.

In 1934, the airport was renamed Union Air Terminal after Federal anti-trust actions caused United Aircraft and Transport to dissolve. This name stuck until 1940 when Lockheed bought the airport and renamed it Lockheed Air Terminal. The facility continued to be known as Lockheed Air Terminal until 1967, during which time it served as an important site for Lockheed's aircraft manufacturing and military efforts during World War II.

In 1967, Lockheed renamed the facility Hollywood–Burbank Airport, reflecting its proximity to the famous neighbourhood. This name remained until 1978 when the airport was sold to the Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena Airport Authority and became known as Burbank–Glendale–Pasadena Airport.

In 2003, the airport's name was changed to Bob Hope Airport in honour of the comedian Bob Hope, a longtime resident of nearby Toluca Lake who had passed away that year. This name change was short-lived, however, as in 2017, it was rebranded as Hollywood Burbank Airport once more due to a lack of recognition of the geographic region associated with Bob Hope Airport.

Today, the airport is undergoing further development, with a new terminal building set to open in October 2026, offering enhanced amenities and conveniences for passengers.

The terminal's design and construction

The Hollywood Burbank Airport is set to undergo a major upgrade with the construction of a new replacement terminal, addressing safety and accessibility concerns while enhancing the overall passenger experience. The project, known as "Elevate BUR", was approved by Burbank residents in 2016 with 69%-70% of the vote. The new terminal will be located in the northeast quadrant of the airport, replacing the existing facilities that date back to the late 1920s.

The design-build team for the project includes Corgan, Holder, Pankow, TEC, CannonDesign, and Burns & McDonnell. The new terminal will cost an estimated $1.1-$1.3 billion and is expected to be completed by October 2026. The facility will cover 355,000 square feet, featuring 14 gates, a ticketing lobby with automated kiosks, a new TSA checkpoint, a baggage claim area, and various shops and restaurants. It will also provide a safer experience by increasing the distance between the terminal and the runways, while still retaining stair access to planes.

The design of the new terminal evokes a silver screen in a public plaza, incorporating elements of Mid-Century Modern architecture. The swooping roof canopy gradually morphs into the facade of the airport's parking structure. The project aims to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification by implementing sustainable features such as electrical vehicle charging stations, electric ground service equipment, and water use reduction connections to the regional transit network.

The construction of the new terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport is a significant undertaking, addressing safety, accessibility, and passenger experience concerns. The project team is committed to minimising construction impacts and keeping the community informed throughout the process. With a projected opening in October 2026, the new terminal promises to elevate the travel experience for passengers at Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Funding for the new terminal

The new terminal at Burbank Airport, also known as Elevate BUR, is expected to be completed in October 2026. The project is estimated to cost around $1.2 billion and will be funded through a combination of various sources.

The primary source of funding for the new terminal is the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA), which closed on $724.78 million of its 2024 Series A, B, and C Airport Senior Revenue Bonds. The bonds were issued through an underwriting syndicate led by BofA Securities, with strong investor demand allowing for lower interest rates. The proceeds from these bonds will finance the majority of the project's cost.

In addition to the bond issue, the BGPAA has approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $1.11 billion for the design and construction of the new terminal. This price is in line with projections and is the result of years of collaboration and hard work. The BGPAA's municipal advisor, Public Resources Advisory Group, played a key role in the financing process.

The new terminal project will also receive funding from applicable federal airport improvement grants, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grants, and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) revenue. These grants and revenues will contribute significantly to the overall funding of the project.

The funding sources for the new terminal at Burbank Airport demonstrate a combination of bond issues, grants, and revenue streams. With strong support from investors and the BGPAA, the project is on track to be completed within the expected timeframe, providing a modern and improved travel experience for passengers.

The terminal's amenities and features

The terminals at Hollywood Burbank Airport are set for a major upgrade, with a new replacement terminal building set to open in October 2026. The new terminal will be larger, more modern, and compliant with current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards. Here is an overview of the amenities and features that the new terminal will offer:

Enhanced Passenger Experience

The new terminal will offer a variety of options for shopping and dining, with more space for passenger movement and upgraded restrooms. The additional space will also allow for improved security screening areas and a new baggage claim area, making the travel experience more convenient and efficient.

Increased Safety and Accessibility

The design of the new terminal includes greater distance between the terminal and the airport runways, addressing safety concerns. It will also be built to modern seismic standards and will be fully ADA accessible, ensuring that it meets current earthquake design guidelines.

Sustainable Features

The new terminal has been designed with a focus on sustainability and reducing the airport's overall emissions. It will feature electrical vehicle charging stations, electric ground service equipment, and water use reduction connections to the regional transit network. The terminal is also expected to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification.

Efficient Passenger Processing

The new terminal will have the same number of gates as the current one (14 gates) but will be significantly larger at 355,000 square feet. This additional space will provide more room for passenger processing facilities, seating areas, and baggage claims, reducing congestion and improving the overall flow of passengers.

Improved Access and Convenience

The new terminal will include a dedicated 45,900-square-foot aircraft parking area for boarding and deplaning, making the process more efficient and comfortable for passengers. Additionally, a new parking structure will be built, offering parking spaces for up to 6,637 cars, including EV charging spaces, enhancing convenience for travellers.

The airport's location and transport links

Hollywood Burbank Airport is a public airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of downtown Burbank, in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The airport serves Burbank, Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley. It is conveniently situated closer to popular attractions such as Griffith Park, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Downtown Los Angeles, than Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The airport is easily accessible by car via several nearby highways, including Interstate 5, State Route 134, State Route 170, and U.S. Route 101. Car and pedestrian access to the airport terminal is available through Hollywood Way and Thornton Avenue or Empire Avenue, just west of Hollywood Way. On-site parking options include valet, short-term, and long-term parking lots, with additional remote parking lots located nearby.

For those using public transportation, Hollywood Burbank Airport is well connected to the region's bus and train networks. Four Metro Bus lines (165, 169, 222, and 294) and one Burbank Bus Line (Orange Route) provide connections to the rest of Burbank and the surrounding areas. The bus stop locations are conveniently placed on Hollywood Way and Empire Avenue, with two primary bus stop areas: Hollywood Way-Thornton Avenue and Empire Avenue/Intermodal (RITC).

Additionally, the airport boasts the distinction of being the only airport in the area with a direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles. The airport is served by two train stations: Burbank Airport-North and Burbank Airport-South. Both stations offer a complimentary on-demand shuttle service, operating between 5 am and 10 pm, for convenient travel to and from the airport terminal.

The Burbank Airport-South station is served by Amtrak's Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner, connecting travellers to destinations such as San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles Union Station, Anaheim, and San Diego. Additionally, Amtrak Thruway bus services provide twice-daily connections to Santa Monica, UCLA, Van Nuys, Newhall, and Bakersfield.

The Burbank Airport-North station is part of the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line, providing connections to Burbank, Ventura, Lancaster, and Union Station. The Ventura County Line, another Metrolink service, can be accessed from the Burbank Airport-South station. These lines offer efficient travel to and from various destinations in Southern California.

With its convenient location and diverse transportation options, Hollywood Burbank Airport offers easy accessibility for travellers to and from the region.

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