Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport's new Terminal B clearly exceeded the expectations of a giggling Luca Loftus at Saturday's open house to showcase the near-completion of the $1.3 billion undertaking.

"He doesn't want to leave," said Jen Loftus, the mother of the 2-year-old, who laughed as he repeatedly climbed in and out of a London-style red phone booth in front of The Brit restaurant near Gate 20.

From the very young to the very retired, reviews of the public's first glimpse of the airport makeover were glowing. They liked the art displays, the airy, open feeling, the countless electrical outlets embedded in seats and eating places with a distinct South Bay flavor.

About 5,250 people signed up to attend the free event, with an additional 4,750 expected to attend today. Terminal B opens for business on Wednesday.

"It's beautiful," said Loftus, who with her husband, Josh, patiently waited while their curly-blond-haired son played. "The art is nice, lots of light, and it works well with the other terminal.

"We haven't traveled out of it yet, and that will be the true test."

There was one consistent gripe: the lack of a moving walkway also known as a people-mover to ease the long walk from Terminal B to Terminal A. Others moaned because there was no pedestrian overpass from the new Terminal B to the rental parking garage across the street.