Major LAX airline terminal shift underway

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A relocation project at Los Angeles International Airport is bringing big changes to airline terminals.

One-third of all airlines that fly out of LAX will be impacted by the terminal move, which has been planned for nearly a year.

The shuffle comes as Delta relocates from terminals five and six to terminals two and three. Because of the shift, 21 airlines are changing terminals.

Twenty-eight airlines will be impacted by the changes in some way.

Much of the moving will begin around May 12. Airport officials said thousands of pieces of equipment have already been moved.

Among the major airlines affected are Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines and Jet Blue.

Airport officials, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, provided an update on the project Friday. Garcetti said he believes the terminal shuffle will lead to more efficient airline operations at LAX.

In light of the shift, LAX officials are urging passengers to arrive for their scheduled flights between May 12 and May 31 earlier than normal.

See the list below for new terminal locations.

• Terminal 2 - Delta, Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volaris and WestJet. Virgin Australia and Volaris customers check-in at T2 and are bused to TBIT for departure and arrivals. Aeromexico remains in Terminal 2 and relocates its ticketing counters; however, passengers will be bused to/from TBIT.

• Terminal 3 - Delta. Avianca, Copa and InterJet check-in only.

• Terminal 5 - Hawaiian, JetBlue, Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier and Sun Country. American has four gates, and its American Eagle busing operation is also based here.

• Terminal 6 - Virgin America joins its corporate partner Alaska Airlines. Air Canada and XL Airways France relocate from Terminal 2. Great Lakes and Mokulele remain in Terminal 6. Boutique Air relocates from Terminal 3.

• TBIT - Southwest Airlines' (SWA) international flights arrive at TBIT, while SWA's international departures and check-in remain in Terminal 1. Avianca, Copa and Interjet departure and arrivals at TBIT. Thomas Cook Airlines resumes seasonal service in May with departures and arrivals temporarily from TBIT.

Delta plans to deploy hundreds of people on site, wearing bright green vests, to help guide passengers the week of the move. LAX Guest Experience Members, dressed in blue, and Volunteer Information Professionals, in red, will also be available to provide guidance to passengers needing assistance.

A dedicated bright green shuttle bus will be available for passengers needing transportation between Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminals 5 and 6.

A webpage with move information and a map showing the location of each airline at the conclusion of the terminal realignment can be found at www.LAXisHappening.com/LAXontheMOVE.