Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) has a particular place in my coronary heart. I grew up in Tampa, so it used to by residence airport again after I’d do mileage runs. My dad and mom nonetheless dwell in Tampa, so it’s an airport I return to on a regular basis. On prime of that, it’s simply typically an superior mid-size airport — it’s really easy to make use of because of the central concourse, with a number of smaller terminals.
Tampa Airport just lately previewed its first new terminal in 20 years, and I’m actually enthusiastic about it! I first wrote about this a number of weeks in the past, however wished to supply an replace, as some renderings of the brand new terminal have simply been launched for the primary time.
The fundamentals of the brand new Tampa Airport Airside D
Tampa Airport’s new Airside D is predicted to open to the general public in 2028, so the unhealthy information is that we’ll have to attend a number of extra years earlier than this turns into a actuality. Groundbreaking and early phases of building will begin in late 2024, as an up to date design has been authorized.
Airside D is meant to assist the airport develop from 25 million to 35 million passengers per 12 months by 2037, so it’s a significant a part of the airport’s total imaginative and prescient for enlargement.
The brand new Tampa Airport Airside D is predicted to price round $1.5 billion to construct, and can function:
- A complete of 16 gates, together with a world passenger arrival processing space, that means this would be the new terminal for worldwide flights
- An orthogonal form with 600,000 sq. ft, for higher house and operational effectivity; it’ll be linked from the primary terminal by a shuttle system, as is the case with the present setup
- A mezzanine degree for 2 airline lounges with views of the airfield and the bay
- Purchasing and eating areas on the heart of the airside, providing 360-degree views of the gates
- A big open house that includes intuitive wayfinding and pure gentle
The airport has simply launched its first full-color artist renderings of the design idea for Airside D, so I wished to share these. The renderings present hovering ceilings, shiny interiors, and a world arrivals hall that wraps across the constructing, and extra. The one factor to notice is that the design course of is presently at 15%, so these pictures are topic to vary because the design evolves.
Tampa Airport is getting two new lounges!
I’m excited to see that Tampa Airport is getting two further lounges, since that has been a critical problem with the airport. At the moment Tampa has solely three lounges — an American Admirals Membership in Airside F, a Delta Sky Membership in Airside E, and the Worldwide Membership Lounge in Airside F (utilized by Virgin Atlantic). These are the one choices, and there are not any different lounges.
Whereas I really like Tampa Airport’s small concourses for the needs of simply getting from the curb to the gate, the varied concourses aren’t linked airside, so this isn’t perfect when it comes to lounge entry.
For instance, airways like Uncover and Edelweiss depart from Airside F, however can’t supply their premium passengers any lounge entry.
So actually, I can’t even start to take a position as to what lounges there will likely be within the new Airside D. We all know that a wide range of worldwide airways will relocate to the terminal, although we don’t know what different airways will:
- It’s attainable that American or Delta transfer to Airside D, through which case they may open an Admirals Membership or Sky Membership there, vacating their lounge house in different terminals
- I’ve to think about that not less than one of many lounges will likely be a non-airport contract lounge that’s accessible with Precedence Go, since that’s good for passengers generally, and it’s additionally invaluable when it comes to all worldwide airways having someplace to ship premium passengers
- Whereas I’d like to see it, I believe that Tampa Airport gained’t be getting a bank card lounge, like an Amex Centurion Lounge, Capital One Lounge, or Chase Sapphire Lounge; nevertheless, you by no means know…
It doesn’t matter what lounges find yourself coming to the airport, the excellent news is that Tampa Airport’s variety of lounges is rising, from three to 5.
Backside line
In 2028, Tampa Airport will likely be getting its first new concourse in 20 years, with the opening of Airside D. This would be the airport’s new worldwide terminal, and it’ll be over 600,000 sq. ft, will function 16 gates, and could have two lounges.
I’m excited to see Tampa Airport proceed to develop, and specifically, am trying ahead to seeing what two new lounges the airport will get.
What do you make of the plans for Tampa Airport Airside D?
