Hollywood Burbank Airport opened its replacement passenger terminal on October 13, 2026. Travelers returning this November will find a new passenger building, but one familiar part of a BUR departure remains: outdoor boarding.
The Airport Authority’s opening announcement confirms the October opening, while the airport’s current website provides maps and information for the operating terminal. For trip planning, those current resources are more useful than construction-era forecasts.
A replacement building, with outdoor boarding retained
Project architect Corgan describes a 14-gate, 355,000-square-foot terminal, with redesigned check-in, security, baggage and curbside facilities. Its October 12 announcement explains that the project preserves ground-level boarding rather than replacing it with a wholly different departure experience.
The Airport Authority says the replacement creates greater separation between the terminal and runways and addresses current earthquake-resilience and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements. The old passenger operation continued while the new facility was built.
Corgan also describes an all-electric terminal design, including heating, cooling and concession kitchens. That describes the building’s systems, not a measured claim that the airport’s overall emissions have reached zero.
The useful distinction is between replacing passenger infrastructure and adding airline service. A larger or newer building, by itself, does not tell travelers which routes airlines will operate or how busy security will be on their departure day.
Check the map before the drive
Before a November trip, check the official airport map, airline instructions and the parking or pickup arrangement you intend to use. Returning travelers should not assume a remembered meeting point or old curbside route still applies.
The airport’s ground transportation page provides a transportation map and identifies rental cars at the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center. It also describes bus and rail options and designated pickup arrangements for taxis, shuttles and app-based rides.
For someone collecting an arriving passenger, the practical step is to agree on the current designated pickup location before setting off. If your plan involves parking or a shuttle, follow the relevant airport guidance rather than assuming every service uses the same entrance. These checks are trip-planning suggestions, not a promise of shorter queues or transfers.
Burbank’s completed terminal opening also differs from LAX’s Terminal 5 reconstruction, another Southern California project with a separate timeline. Each airport’s own current information remains the starting point for a specific journey.
