As construction progresses for Monterey Regional Airport’s (MRY) replacement terminal, a significant project in the MRY Metamorphosis Safety Enhancement Program, it’s a good time to share what travelers and the Monterey Region community will experience when the passenger facility opens in summer 2027. 

Replacement Passenger Terminal

From design to construction to opening, MRY’s new passenger terminal will deliver a world-class experience with a hometown airport feel. The MRY team and HOK architects listened to what residents and airport tenants envisioned for their airport and designed a welcoming, comfortable, innovative, and timeless terminal to showcase the beautiful Monterey Region to residents and visitors.

Exterior

A newly built roadway leading to the terminal—including a roundabout at the intersection of Garden and Olmsted roads—will deliver enhanced circulation. Signage will guide motorists to new premium and long-term parking lots; the rental car drop off; and traffic lanes for passenger drop-off and pick-up, and buses, shuttles, taxis, and ride-sharing services.

Rental car counters and vehicles will be located at a separate building adjacent to the terminal, with no shuttle ride required. Plants and trees native to the local area and suitable to grow well in the Monterey Region’s climate will line the terminal roadway and parking lots, and make a dramatic statement within the terminal curbside and courtyard areas. Landscaping will be irrigated with recycled water.

Interior

While the new, single-level terminal will be similar in size as MRY’s existing (legacy) terminal, the 62,754 square-foot space is designed to efficiently transition travelers from the curbside to aircraft cabin via five airline gates equipped with boarding bridges.

Key features of the terminal include common-use airline ticketing and boarding gate counters to enhance operational flexibility; ample space for security screening; a central gate lounge with The Cockpit restaurant (operated by Chef Tim Wood, owner and operator of Woody’s at the Airport) and a retail shop; hold rooms with plenty of seating and room for boarding; an open-air, windowed observation deck; and baggage claim.

To achieve LEED* Platinum certification and net-zero energy ready sustainability goals for the terminal, innovative features include an all-electric, onsite renewable energy design; floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize natural daylight; high performance window glazing; overhangs with passive solar lighting and temperature control; an auto-shade system to minimize glare and enhance user comfort; and acoustic panels to mitigate noise.

Legacy Terminal

The airport campus is being completely transformed through local skilled contractors while MRY continues its sizable economic and tourism contributions to the Monterey Region through operations in the legacy terminal. The most common questions asked are: will the existing terminal remain, and what will happen to Woody’s?

The good news is that the legacy terminal will stay and Woody’s publicly accessible restaurant will continue to deliver its award-winning food, beverages, and service to locals and visitors. Also remaining in the current terminal are the Airport Administration Offices and the MRY Board Room, where public meetings will continue to be held.

Stay Informed During Construction

As the MRY Metamorphosis continues, the airport team remains committed to providing customers with a convenient, hassle-free travel experience. Please visit montereyairport.com or follow @montereyairport on Facebook, Instagram, and X for travel advisories. Learn more about MRY and the MRY Metamorphosis at montereyairport.com/transform.