New express lanes double curbside capacity and streamline travel for passengers without checked bags
TAMPA, Fla. (August 11, 2025) – HNTB joins Tampa International Airport (TPA) in celebrating the opening of its Red Express Curbsides, the last milestone in the airport’s award-winning Express Curbsides program — the first of its kind in the United States. Designed for passengers traveling without checked baggage, the Red Express Curbsides offers direct access to gates, bypassing ticketing and baggage claim areas to streamline the travel experience in the airport’s Main Terminal.
The Red Express Curbsides builds on the success of the Blue Express Curbsides, which opened in November 2021, and reflects the continued strength of the long-standing partnership between TPA and HNTB — rooted in the airport’s visionary 2012 Master Plan. HNTB has served as architect and engineer-of-record across multiple phases, including work on the Airside D terminal, which is the third and final phase of the airport’s master plan to accommodate projected passenger growth.
“This project is a continuation of our shared vision with TPA to redefine the curbside experience and elevate the passenger journey,” said Andrés Chacón, HNTB’s aviation group director. “One of the most striking features is a multilevel opening that connects all floors and offers dynamic views of the terminal, creating a vibrant, intuitive experience for travelers. Every detail — from architectural finishes to integrated art installations — was crafted to enhance the journey and reflect the airport’s vision for seamless, future-ready mobility.
Delivered through a progressive design-build approach alongside Hensel Phelps, the Red Express Curbsides project exemplifies how strategic collaboration and innovative design can elevate the passenger experience. The team developed seamless vertical circulation and intuitive wayfinding, all while maintaining uninterrupted airport operations. Reinforced structural elements and integrated design solutions ensured both safety and efficiency, resulting in a space that is fluid, accessible and future ready.
“Less than four years after the Blue Express curbs opened, we see that about half of our guests flying on Blue Side airlines use them,” said TPA CEO Michael Stephens. “Now we will be offering the same innovation and efficiency to our travelers on the Red Side, with this bright, clean and thoroughly modern building.”
“From day one, our focus was on helping Tampa International Airport deliver a world-class first impression,” said Doug Allen, HNTB’s southeast division president. “The Red Express Curbsides is more than an infrastructure upgrade — it’s a gateway experience. By combining thoughtful design with seamless functionality, we’ve created a space that reflects the airport’s commitment to exceptional service and sets a new standard for curbside innovation.”
The Express Curbsides program provides scalable infrastructure that improves traffic flow, reduces congestion and enables future mobility technologies, supporting TPA’s long-term growth and laying the groundwork for the next phase of airport expansion, including the Airside D terminal.