The new TBIT and the Star Alliance lounge.

So here I was standing in the busy departure hall of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles airport as the clock was ticking to just over 2200. I made my way towards the dedicated EVA airlines check in counter and asked an attendant who was standing there with a Eva Air sign to direct me towards the priority lane. I waited around a few minutes before a free agent was free and smiled as she gestured me over. 

I wanted the best economy seats for my thirteen hour flight and they happened to be the bulkhead seats of row 45C which was an aisle seat. I tried many times over the past few days to select the bulkhead online and even call up the airline directly but the bulkhead was notoriously protected and assigned at check in to which the agent asked for 45C from her supervisor who released it as she assigned the seat for me. 

I had a though run through my mind and a shiver went down my spine thinking about flying for another thirteen hours in economy which promoted me to ask the agent how much would a upgrade be to premium economy which is also known as elite class under Eva terms. After a few seconds Melissa said the upgrade from LAX - TPE from economy to elite would be $480USD which I thought for a split second as my hand reached to grab my credit card to hand over. Melissa directed me to head into another queue so I could process the fee as she attached an elite and priority bag tag and even found a Hello Kitty bag tag as a souvenir, I watched as my old boarding pass was torn up as I got handed a new one with an aisle seat of 26D.

I was observing the terminal and could see a few Asian carriers would be departing so I quickly made my way towards the security checkpoint witch began to pile up with heaps of passengers. I waited in line for around twenty minutes before I reached the X- ray machine and quickly cleared security. I walked through a corridor and was welcomed by a bright new duty free shop as I entered the new TBIT. I wouldn't have though that TBIT, Amaze balls, Wow, Well played, OMG, What is this place would ever align into the same sentence.

I was literally blown away with the terminal and was like a kid in a candy store as I walked around from the north and south concourse snapping pictures, the terminal of five years ago was completely different from what I saw today, who would of though Los Angeles International Airport could be so new and efficient.

The clock tower facing the restaurants and lounges upstairs.

Amazing led panels which displays flight information.

Looking towards the south concourse.

There was a variety of duty free stores, souvenir shops as well as various restaurants that offered a range of variety for the traveller who was passing through or connecting onto another destination via LAX. Throughout the airport were chairs and resting areas which featured a lot of power points and usb charging outlets for the modern day traveller as well as free fast wifi. I forgot to mention theres a Starbucks too which was very busy from what I saw walking past it a few times.

Led beams with unique patterns of destinations that you can fly to from LAX.

Virgin to Sydney.

In the north concourse.

Busy gate waiting to board.

Waiting. 

Fiji Airbus 330.

Shot of the led clock tower.

Korean air's Boeing 777.

As I was walking down the north concourse I saw a Pinkberry yoghurt stand which got me jumping for joy. It was one of the best yoghurt I've tasted and even though I didn't have time while in LA to eat it I was perfectly happy for there to be a stand in the airport. Did I mention I love the new TBIT?

 Pinkberry at the airport.

Air Tahini Nui.

Empty terminal. 

The end of the pier. 

It was time to check out the flagship Star Alliance lounge so I made my way up towards the fourth floor via elevator located inside the clock tower. I handed my boarding pass to the agent who scanned it and welcomed me in.  

Entrance to the Star Alliance lounge operated by Air New Zealand.

Service desk towards the left and baggage area on right.

Where to go?

As I ventured deeper into the lounge I found that there was plenty of seating in the lounge which was cosy and rather quiet in the busy lounge. There was a pile of newspapers and magazines available in cantonese as the majority of lounge guest's were on Eva air's two flights to Taipei. 

I've heard of my friends mention of the outside terrace so I walked further into the lounge and made my way outside. It was a lovely summer's night and the terrace was empty so I enjoyed the beautiful terrace by myself. There was a glass panel which offered views of a few gates which was a nice setting amongst the lounge. 

Fire pit and bar. 

Heading back inside I decided to check out and have a shower in the suites, for access I needed to press a button which alerted an attendant as he opened up a shower suite for me. The suites were very well maintained, clean and was spacious enough to change and shower.

Shower suites. 

It was a bit of a game trying to get the water temperature just right in the first few minutes but once I conquered it the water pressure was moderate, not too weak but not powerful enough.

Never heard of Soaptopia. 

I was hungry after my shower so I headed straight towards the buffet where there was a variety of fruits, wraps, soup, d.i.y salad and hot Vietnamese soup. 

D.i.y salad and Vietnamese Pho soup base.

Selection of hot food. 

Cold wraps and baguettes.

It was nearly time for my flight so I headed outside to the balcony to snap a few pictures of the terminal below before heading downstairs towards the southern terminal to my departing gate.