Sacramento's Dual Airport System: Why Two Airports?

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located about 10-12 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento, California. It is the primary airport serving the Sacramento Metropolitan Area and is run by the Sacramento County Airport System. The airport has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, with a total of 32 gates. Terminal A has 13 gates, while Terminal B has 19. Sacramento International Airport is currently undergoing a $1.3 billion expansion, called SMForward, which will add new gates, a pedestrian walkway, a new parking garage, and a consolidated transportation ground transportation center, among other improvements.

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

The airport initially opened as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport and was the first purpose-built public-use airport west of the Mississippi. It has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, with 32 gates in total. Terminal A has 13 gates, while Terminal B has 19. The airport is primarily domestic, with nonstop flights to just three international destinations in Mexico. However, it is in the middle of a 20-year expansion plan that may see it add destinations such as Tokyo, London, and Frankfurt.

SMF is accessible via Airport Boulevard directly from Interstate 5 at exit 528. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout its terminals and has various dining and shopping options for passengers. The airport also features TSA PreCheck lanes, Global Entry kiosks, and Mobile Passport Control lines for added convenience.

Ground transportation options include public buses, shared and private shuttles, taxis, and ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Additionally, there are parking facilities available, including hourly, daily, and economy lots, with shuttle services provided for lots further away from the terminals.

Terminal A

Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, and United operate from Terminal A's 13 gates, numbered A1 to A5 and A10 to A17. An Escape Lounge is located near gate A10, and there is a pet relief area near the entrance to gates A1 to A5.

The Sacramento International Airport terminals are not directly connected, but passengers can walk between them via pedestrian bridges that link both buildings to the terminal garage. A free shuttle also runs between the terminals every 10 minutes.

Terminal B

The terminal was built to meet the rising demand for passenger services and to improve the airport's ability to attract new carriers and routes. It is three times the size of the original Terminal B and has a capacity of 16 million passengers per year, which is not expected to be reached until the late 2020s. Approximately half of the $1 billion cost of the new terminal comes from a new ticket surcharge and parking fees.

Airport transport options

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located about 10-12 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento. The airport is accessible via Airport Boulevard directly from Interstate 5 at exit 528.

By car

Arriving from downtown Sacramento, take I-5 N and keep right at the fork, following signs for Airport/Garden Highway. Merge onto Airport Boulevard to access the airport terminals.

By bus

Yolobus bus No. 42A connects the airport to Sacramento, Woodland, and Davis. Sacramento Regional Transit bus Express No. 142 and Yolobus bus No. 42B connect directly from downtown Sacramento to SMF.

By train

The Sacramento Regional Transit District plans to provide a future light rail link, an extension of the Green Line, to the airport.

By taxi

On-demand taxis are available outside both terminals. A round trip between SMF and downtown Sacramento costs around $66, with a 20% discounted rate for seniors and military personnel.

By rideshare

Rideshare operators Uber, Lyft, and Wingz are authorised to operate from SMF.

By shuttle

Shared and private-ride shuttles can be booked through SuperShuttle Express. Shuttles depart from designated zones in the Terminal A and B ground transportation areas.

By bike

There are no bike paths leading directly to the airport.

Airport history

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has a rich history that dates back to the 1950s. Here is a detailed account of its evolution over the years:

The Early Years:

• In 1957, plans were proposed for the construction of an airport in Sacramento, California. The project involved purchasing nearly 6,000 acres of land north of downtown Sacramento, which was considered a risky and extravagant endeavour at the time.
• On October 21, 1967, Sacramento International Airport opened as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. It was the first public-use airport west of the Mississippi that was built entirely from scratch. The airport was initially served by five airlines: Pacific, PSA, United, Western, and West Coast.

Growth and Expansion:

• In the 1980s, the airport underwent significant growth with the addition of new facilities, including an in-flight catering facility, an FAA Flight Inspection Field Office, a second air cargo facility, and the east runway. The landing of a Concorde marked the opening of the east runway.
• During this decade, several new airlines joined the original carriers, including America West, Continental, Morris Air, and American Eagle.
• In the 1990s, the airport continued to evolve with the opening of the consolidated rental car terminal and Terminal A in 1998. The rental car terminal was the first of its kind in the nation, streamlining rental car operations and improving customer service.
• With the addition of Terminal A, the airport was renamed Sacramento International Airport, though it only began receiving international flights in 2002 with the arrival of Mexicana Airlines.

New Millennium, New Changes:

• The tragic events of September 11, 2001, brought about permanent changes to airport security procedures worldwide. Despite this, Sacramento International Airport continued to grow, with four new airlines added by 2003: Continental, Frontier, Mexicana, and Aloha Airlines.
• In 2004, a new parking garage was opened, offering covered parking and public art installations.
• In 2006, Sacramento International Airport became one of the first airports in the nation to offer free wireless internet (WiFi) to its customers.
• In 2008, the Sacramento County Airport System embarked on the largest capital improvement project in the county's history: "The Big Build." This $1.03 billion project replaced the aging Terminal B with a new, modern facility three times its size.
• Despite economic challenges and airline mergers in the late 2000s, the airport continued to thrive. Alaska Airlines added nonstop flights to Mexico and Hawaii, and Aeromexico reintroduced foreign-flag service to Mexico in 2011.
• In 2011, the new Terminal B opened, featuring an airside concourse and a landside terminal connected by an automated people mover.
• In 2012, the old Terminal B was demolished, and the new pavement for overnight aircraft parking was completed.
• Over the years, Sacramento International Airport has received accolades for its design and concessions program, and it continues to be a primary gateway for travellers to and from Northern California destinations.

Frequently asked questions