If you’ve flown into a major airport recently, you’ve probably noticed how much effort is being put into modernization. Airports across the U.S.
But not all terminals are created equal. At some airports, one terminal stands out. The “other” terminal that feels like it missed the makeover. Maybe it’s stuck in the past, with dated seating, limited concessions or cramped gate areas. Maybe it’s charming in a retro way, or maybe it’s just a place you’d rather not spend a long delay.
Here are some terminals and concourses we’ve visited that felt like stepping back in time, especially compared to the newer facilities elsewhere at the same airport. Some are getting attention, and others are waiting for their next chapter, but the contrast is what stuck with us.
The new LaGuardia is legitimately impressive. Terminals B and C have gone from punchlines to headliners. But tucked away on the other side of the airfield is the Marine Air Terminal, also known as Terminal A. With its WPA-era mural and beautiful Art Deco rotunda, it reminds you of a very different era of flying.
The historic entrance is the attraction. The departure area is another story. When we used this terminal, the limited concessions and basic gate facilities offered a very different experience from the rebuilt terminals elsewhere at LGA. Appreciating aviation history and wanting somewhere comfortable to wait for a delayed flight are two different things.
Now the terminal awaits its next chapter. Spirit was its last remaining airline before it shut down in May 2026, leaving the terminal without scheduled commercial service. JetBlue, which previously used the Marine Air Terminal, has expressed interest in moving back from Terminal B. Its purchase of Spirit’s LaGuardia slots received FAA approval in October, but that approval doesn’t by itself confirm a terminal move.
For years, Terminal C was EWR’s go-to terminal, while A and B lagged behind. Now that the replacement Terminal A is open, and it’s genuinely gorgeous, Terminal B stands out in the wrong way.
Terminal B opened in 1973, and parts of it still feel their age. During our visits, the separate gate areas and uneven selection of amenities made it feel much less convenient than the newer terminal. Compared to Terminal A, it felt like a trip back to 1988.
At least this one is getting some attention. The Port Authority has announced a three-year, $200 million improvement program, including refreshed gate areas, renovated restrooms and upgrades to aging equipment. A replacement Terminal B is also planned. Those improvements are welcome, but there’s still a big difference between announcing a makeover and waiting for your flight in the finished product.
We’ve written about this one before in Going Back in Time: Flying from Washington National’s Terminal A. It’s now called Terminal 1, although many travelers will remember the old name. The historic building opened in 1941, and its main hall has a retro aesthetic that’s worth appreciating.
Once you get past the nostalgia, though, the gate area is less appealing. Compared to the bright, spacious National Hall in Terminal 2, we found fewer food options and cramped waiting areas. It’s a terminal we enjoy looking around more than we enjoy being stuck in.
It’s been a while since we’ve flown out of Concourse F at MIA, but the memory is burned into our brains. It was like going back in time, and not in a fun, vintage-air-travel kind of way.
From the payphones on the wall to the dated finishes and limited amenities, this concourse felt like it hadn’t seen a significant upgrade in decades. The photo below pretty much sums up why it made our list.
MIA has been working on improvements, including a renovated Central Terminal check-in area between Concourses F and G. That’s welcome news, although a nicer check-in lobby doesn’t necessarily tell you what you’ll find once you reach your gate. Our memories here come from an earlier visit, not a recent inspection of the concourse.
Back when Hawaiian Airlines flew nonstop between Honolulu and Orlando, we departed from Terminal 2’s C Gates. The area was practically deserted, but that didn’t make the experience better. Quite the opposite.
During our visit, only one concession stand was open, and it was selling what could charitably be described as “half-stale sandwiches.” Add in dated seating and dim lighting, and this part of HNL felt more like a bus station than the departure point for a long flight home.
We haven’t been back to those gates recently, so this is a memory of that trip, not a claim that nothing has changed. But when we think about airport areas that felt left behind, this one still comes to mind.
Airport upgrades are a welcome change, but when one terminal gets the VIP treatment, the difference can be stark. And while we appreciate a historic building, a beautiful old entrance doesn’t make up for limited food options or an uncomfortable gate area when your flight is delayed.
It’s also a good reason to check your specific terminal before planning to eat or visit a lounge at the airport. Photos of the shiny new building don’t help much if your flight leaves from somewhere with a very different selection of amenities.
These are the terminals and concourses that stood out during our travels, but we’re sure there are others. Have you flown through an airport where one terminal gets all the attention while another feels stuck decades in the past? Tell us which airport and terminal in the comments. Bonus points if the rest of the airport has already had a makeover.
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Joe H. is the co-founder and editor of Your Mileage May Vary, the travel and loyalty blog he started with his wife Sharon in 2017. He covers credit card rewards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, airport and TSA rules, and hotel reviews, drawing on more than 30 years of earning and redeeming miles.