The project was the airline’s largest airport investment ever and required a stacked construction management team that led thousands of workers, including record-setting minority/women-owned business enterprise participation. Despite innumerable challenges and changes during the eight-year project—including the COVID-19 pandemic—the team delivered the project at budget and ahead of schedule.

A massive digital art installation made of 34 lenticular panels is displayed over the centralized security checkpoint area on the third level of the headhouse.
Photo by Vu Quang Tran, courtesy Turner Construction and STV/Satterfield & Pontikes Construction (JV)

“Everyone left their egos back at the company headquarters’ door, and we came in with very open minds that we were here to work for Delta Airlines,” says Curt Zegler, deputy project executive for field operations with Turner Construction. “The level of collaboration needed for the project was definitely driven by our client and that resonated through all of our staff.”

Composed of 21 sub-projects completed between 2019 and 2024, the project replaced two existing terminals with an updated 1.3-million-sq-ft facility. Scope included a new 590,000-sq-ft headhouse, 319,000-sq-ft Concourse E, 209,000-sq-ft Concourse F and 201,000-sq-ft Concourse D. Crews also built dual taxi lanes, 2,900 linear ft of bridgework and a 200,000-sq-ft roadway deck.

Matthew Johnson, principal at Gensler, says the detailed phasing of the project was critical to the project’s success. He notes that Delta’s team worked collaboratively with contractors and designers to determine the most efficient ways to move the project forward while continuing operations in existing terminals. “Delta really was a driving force,” he says. “They had a seat at the table and they understood how to constrain themselves when needed to move the project ahead.”

The team logged nearly 10 million work hours during the project with a peak construction workforce of over 1,400. Nearly $1.5 billion in contracts were awarded to M/WBE firms—setting a state record. Approximately $500 million was awarded to Queens-based businesses. Throughout the project, workforce training and educational programs were instituted to support long-term job creation.

“As a firm, we pride ourselves on making sure we are very diverse in our contract awards,” Zegler says. “But Delta Airlines is really rooted in the community. They believe in the community and they're going to give back to the community. That was always a focus.”

Advanced digital program management tools proved critical in coordinating and synchronizing the work of multiple design and construction teams. A proprietary 4D BIM platform integrated scheduling and cost data with the construction model, enabling real-time tracking and visualization. Matterport 3D scanning was used to create a “digital twin” to verify as-built conditions and streamline closeout. At the end of the project, the digital twin transferred to Delta Airlines for future use by its operations staff.

OpenSpace technology further enhanced documentation by capturing 360° site imagery tied to the BIM model, allowing for remote walkthroughs. The technology proved valuable during pandemic restrictions. BIM technology also proved helpful in visualizing and coordinating the placement of suspended illuminated sculptures in the three-story atrium. Installation required seismic analysis, rigging at heights of up to 80 ft and integrating lighting systems—all while surrounding construction remained active. For a 480-lb mosaic tile piece, the team partnered with a specialized tile contractor and used precision rigging techniques to safely install each panel.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented disruptions. The construction management team adapted to evolving CDC and government protocols, reconfiguring construction sequencing to maintain safety and progress. With a sharp drop in air travel, the team capitalized on the reduced terminal activity by accelerating key phases. This proactive shift allowed Terminal C’s headhouse to open in summer 2022, ahead of peak travel demand. Ultimately, the team’s COVID strategy helped shave nearly a year off the schedule.

Maintaining public access and continuous deliveries required the team to manage complex traffic phasing, including constructing two temporary bridge structures. The team also oversaw installation of sidewalks, K12 rated bollards, flood-prevention systems, ITS infrastructure, utilities and customer wayfinding. The completed terminal’s flexible layout, advanced security and smart technologies, such as digital ID screening and hands-free bag drop, fulfill both functional and aesthetic goals for Delta and its passengers. The new terminal houses 30% more concession space, a multisensory room for neurodiverse travelers and the largest Delta

Sky Club in the Airline’s Network

Beyond achieving LEED Silver certification, the project incorporates a variety of measures that set new aviation industry benchmarks for energy efficiency, resource conservation and long-term climate resilience. The design allows for a 6.5% annual energy cost savings compared with national airport benchmarks. An ice-making plant was installed to shift cooling loads to off-peak hours. Smart electrochromic glass, LED lighting and high-albedo roofing mitigate the urban heat island effect. Throughout the project, more than 85% of construction waste was diverted and low-emitting materials were installed.

The completed terminal features a centralized check-in lobby, intuitive circulation, expedited screening and light-filled concourses. Enhanced amenities include 30% more concession space, a multisensory room for neurodiverse travelers and the largest Delta Sky Club in the airline’s network. Smart technologies, such as digital ID screening and hands-free bag drop, fulfill both functional and aesthetic goals for Delta and its passengers. Port Authority’s Executive Director Rick Cotton called it “an architectural gem that dwarfs the facilities it replaces in size, style and functionality.”

With completion of Terminal C—coupled with other major improvements at LaGuardia in recent year—the airport once considered the worst in the United States was named in October the best U.S. airport by Forbes Travel Guide for the second consecutive year.