On your next flight out of the Asheville Regional Airport, you'll check your bags at the sleek new ticketing lobby. Consider this the appetizer to the full grand opening of the new North Concourse on Wednesday, June 25.

The new ticket lobby entrance has been under construction for some time, but in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 11, doors will open to travelers. The new lobby is larger than its original counterpart, but it doesn't stop there — it'll double in size by the time the airport's expansion project is finished. The outdoors-inspired design isn't the only update to the ticketing lobby — technological advancements were also made behind the scenes to improve the baggage system.

For a few weeks until the North Concourse fully opens, after travelers visit the ticket lobby, they'll return to the "legacy" terminal to go through the existing TSA screening area, passing by the original ticketing lobby, which will temporarily be used for rental car bookings.

But, beginning Wednesday, June 25, all passengers will go through the new TSA checkpoint — the gateway to the brand new seven-gate North Concourse, complete with new retail shops, restaurant options, and amenities. While several of the new boarding gates will begin operation on June 25, the North Concourse won't be fully operational until the end of July.

"We're building for the extraordinary growth we've experienced over the last five years, but also for the growth we anticipate in the future," AVL's Chief Administration Officer, Tina Kinsey, said.

During this transition, AVL staff will be waiting in the wings to walk you through the changes — just look for someone in a purple vest to answer your questions. Don't have travel plans, but curious to see how the new concourse will look? We'll be back with a virtual tour on opening day.