Los Angeles is preparing to welcome millions of visitors for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a newly opened airport terminal could make getting to the action a little easier.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) officially opened its new $1.3 billion passenger terminal on October 13, marking the first new commercial airport terminal in the Los Angeles area in decades. The opening comes at a crucial time as Southern California prepares for one of the world’s largest sporting events and the transportation challenges that come with it.
While Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) remains the region’s primary international gateway, Hollywood Burbank Airport offers an alternative for travelers looking to avoid the area’s busiest aviation hub.
That could become particularly valuable during the Olympics, when visitors will be arriving from across the United States and around the world.
According to LA Metro, the Games are expected to generate approximately one million additional trips per day across the region, placing significant pressure on an already busy transportation network.
Rather than funneling every visitor through LAX, travelers can consider several airports throughout Southern California, including Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario, and John Wayne Airport.
For spectators attending events in Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, or areas around Universal City, flying into Burbank could be a particularly convenient option.
The airport is located near several Olympic competition zones, including Pasadena, where the Rose Bowl Stadium and Rose Bowl Aquatics Center are among the planned venues. Its location north of Downtown Los Angeles could also help some travelers avoid crossing the city from LAX, depending on their accommodations and event schedules.
Hollywood Burbank Airport has long been popular with travelers seeking a smaller alternative to LAX. The new terminal aims to preserve that experience while providing more space and modern facilities.
Unlike an airport expansion, the project replaces the existing terminal with an entirely new building while maintaining the same 14 gates. That means it won’t automatically increase the number of flights or dramatically expand passenger capacity, but the larger facility is designed to improve how travelers move through the airport.
“The new terminal delivers the convenient, traveler-friendly experience that has long set Hollywood Burbank Airport apart, while providing modern infrastructure designed to serve the region for decades to come,” Executive Director John Hatanaka said in a statement.
The new building features expanded passenger areas, updated security screening facilities, improved ground transportation access, and a more streamlined arrival experience.
For Olympic visitors, those improvements could make navigating a busy travel period less stressful, particularly when combined with the airport’s smaller footprint.
The airport also connects to regional rail services through nearby Metrolink stations, giving travelers additional options beyond rental cars and rideshares.
Those connections could become especially important during the Games, as Los Angeles officials work to encourage public transportation and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
LA Metro is developing expanded transit services, including additional buses and shuttles connecting major transportation hubs with Olympic venues. The broader effort is intended to help spectators travel between events without adding unnecessary pressure to the region’s roads.
Of course, Hollywood Burbank Airport alone won’t solve Los Angeles’ Olympic transportation challenges. Its smaller size and limited flight network mean LAX will continue handling much of the region’s international traffic.
But the new terminal gives travelers another modern option, particularly those flying domestically or connecting through other U.S. cities.
With the Olympics approaching, the opening also highlights the importance of planning beyond the main airport. Choosing where to fly could make a meaningful difference in how much time visitors spend traveling between their hotel, competition venues, and other attractions.
For travelers considering Hollywood Burbank Airport, the terminal’s main entrance has also moved to the intersection of Winona Avenue and Hollywood Way.
As Los Angeles prepares for the global spotlight in 2028, the new terminal represents one more piece of the region’s evolving transportation infrastructure.
And for Olympic spectators hoping to spend more time enjoying the Games and less time navigating airport congestion, having another gateway into Southern California could make all the difference.
