American Airlines has kicked off its $1.6-billion overhaul at Los Angeles International Airport, one of a series of pricey LAX upgrades that will add gates, bigger bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows at the carrier’s terminals.

A groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday attended by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker initiated a 10-year construction project that represents the single largest airport investment in the history of the Fort Worth carrier.



For the record: A previous version of this story said that Southwest Airlines launched a $508-million project in 2014 to build a new facility between Terminals 1 and 2. The project was designed to overhaul and modernize Terminal 1 only.

American Airlines — the world’s biggest carrier — chose LAX for the investment, Parker said, because Los Angeles is an important gateway for international travelers, especially visitors from Asia. Air travel from China has been setting records over the last few years.