The front of the ONT terminal, with the steel 'trellis' that was its architectural trademark back in 1962. Airport administration offices were (and still are) located on the upper level of this part of the building. This area of the terminal was made up to be "Miami International Airport" during the 2002 film "Catch Me If You Can."
The main entrance to the old terminal, complete with the original passenger canopies from 1962 - check out some of the old photos from 1967 and 1968 and compare.
The two entrances to the former Ontario ticketing hall, looking northeast. Obviously, this terminal never offered curbside check-in.
ONT's abandoned ticketing hall. Note that all the airline logos and signage are gone. Compare these photos to Tom Moore's picture of the ticket hall in 1986.
Looking behind the former Northwest and America West ticket counter towards the curbfront.
The deserted east lobby of the old ONT terminal. The gates at center left housed the security checkpoints, while the lobby floor had seating for departing passengers. The white wall at rear left is the original 1962 departure lounge; the brick wall marks the lobby extension constructed in 1978.
Two more views of the north (left) and south (right) sides of the former east lobby.
The famed "Space Sunset" mural that was installed as part of the 1978 east lobby extension.
Looking out the east lobby windows towards the new terminals opened in 1998. The tail of a Hawaiian Airlines B767-300 is visible.
Former information monitors in the east lobby, now devoid of their screens.
The original ONT boarding concourse (Gates 1-7) opened in 1962. The steel grills were added along the airside in the 1980s. In the photo at right, note the sign for Gate 4 - ONT's closest approximation to a gate podium!
Looking across the apron towards the original concourse (Gates 1-7). In 1998, these gates were used by Continental, America West, Alaska and United. Another concourse, added in the 1970s, is to the left of this photo, but Dave was unable to get inside it - it's been completely sealed off. The white structure at center right is the former Delta terminal; it had two jetways, but both have been removed.
Looking at the "Space Sunset" mural from United's former Gate 6/7 holdroom area.
The former baggage makeup area behind the ticketing hall, again seen from the former United gates.
Baggage Claim A and B, on the north end of the old terminal site. This was the original baggage claim area, although the carousel weren't installed until the late 1970s or early 1980s. A second baggage claim area was built in the early 1980s.
ONT's former west lobby, which led to Gates 8-17 (now closed off). This extension was built in the early 1970s, along with an expansion of the ticketing hall.
The remains of a snack bar in the west lobby. Seating from the lobby and holdrooms is being stored inside.
Looking from the west lobby towards the old control tower and the roof of the west baggage claim building.
The west baggage claim area (Carousels C and D), added in the early 1980s. The photo at right shows the baggage breakdown area for Carousel D, which was used primarily by American Airlines (hence the AA sign over the belt.)
ONT's former control tower, located next to the west baggage claim building. This facility was replaced in 1991 by a modern control tower across the runways.
Looking from the former control tower towards the runway thresholds (left) and the new terminals opened in 1998 (right).
The former general aviation and car rental area (left) and the cargo ramp (right, seen across the runways) as viewed from the old tower.
Looking down at the ONT terminal area from the control tower in 1986 (left) and in 2003 (right). A sad sight, but at least the terminal is still standing, and will remain intact for the foreseeable future.
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