Fresno Yosemite Airport: A Gateway To California's Natural Wonders

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is located in Fresno, California. The airport is about eight miles from the city centre and is easily accessible by road. It offers nonstop flights to major cities across the United States and international flights to Mexico. With its convenient location and services, Fresno Yosemite International Airport makes travelling to and from Fresno a convenient and enjoyable experience.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport

The airport offers scheduled passenger flights to several major airline hubs across the United States, as well as international services to Mexico. Fresno Yosemite International Airport provides nonstop flights to major cities, making travel to and from Fresno convenient for passengers. The airport has seen impressive growth in passenger traffic, with 2.1 million passengers recorded in 2022, an 11% increase from the previous year.

The airport has a rich history, opening as Hammer Field, a military airfield, in June 1942, just six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. After World War II, the city of Fresno converted the site into a commercial airport, and in 1948, the Fresno Air Terminal (FAT) opened. The airport has since undergone several expansions and renovations, including the addition of new runways, a passenger terminal, and an international arrivals facility.

The airport provides convenient ground transportation options, including car rentals, public transit bus routes, and access to nearby freeways. It also offers various amenities for travellers, such as local craft beer, wine, and coffee at several establishments.

Airport facilities and services

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) in California offers a range of facilities and services for passengers, visitors, and employees. The airport has a small, partially renovated terminal with several eateries and shops on both sides of security.

Food and Beverage

Fresno Airport has a variety of food and beverage options, including the John Muir Tavern, Home Team Sports Bar & Grill, and Starbucks, with some outlets located before and after security.

Shopping

The airport has three Hudson News shops located in the lobby, corridor, and concourse, offering reading materials, snacks, drinks, and last-minute travel goods.

Lounges

Fresno Airport does not have any private lounges or pay-per-use lounges.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones within the airport. However, there are some hotels near the airport that provide airport shuttles, such as the Wyndham Garden Fresno Yosemite Airport, Quality Inn Fresno Yosemite Airport, and Best Western Plus Fresno Airport Hotel.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage and lockers are not currently available at Fresno Airport.

Mobile Charging and WiFi

Mobile device charging outlets are available throughout the airport terminal, and free WiFi is accessible to all passengers and visitors.

Ground Transportation

The airport provides convenient ground transportation options, including on-site car rental agencies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. Additionally, several area hotels provide airport shuttle services, and metered taxis and Lyft shared rides are also available.

Public Transportation

The airport is well-connected to the city's public transportation network. Fresno Area Express (FAX) operates two public transit bus routes to the airport, Route 26 and Route 39, both offering half-hourly services to different parts of Fresno. The City of Visalia also operates the V-LINE bus service, connecting the airport to the Visalia Transit Center and Visalia Municipal Airport.

Other Amenities

The airport also features a barber, a mother's room located airside between Gates 1 and 3, and an information desk with airport ambassadors wearing blue vests to assist travellers.

Airport history

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the primary commercial airport for California's San Joaquin Valley and three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. The airport is located in Fresno, California, and offers nonstop flights to major cities across the United States and international service to Mexico. With its convenient location and range of amenities, Fresno Yosemite International Airport makes travelling to and from Fresno a convenient and enjoyable experience.

The history of Fresno's airport can be traced back to World War II when it served as a military airfield known as Hammer Field. It opened in June 1942, just six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, which marked the United States' entry into World War II. The airfield was named Hammer Field in honour of Lt. Earl M. Hammer, California's first World War I hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting behind German lines in 1918. The site for Hammer Field was chosen due to the inadequacy of the Bakersfield Airport, also known as Chandler Field, for military purposes. The Fresno City Council proposed a site east of Fresno, which was then leased to the Army Air Corps in March 1941. Construction began promptly, and Hammer Field officially opened on April 3, 1941, as the Fresno Army Air Base, becoming Hammer Field in 1942.

During its time as a military base, Hammer Field played a significant role in training new pilots for the Fourth Air Force and night fighter training. It also served as a highly important installation for the Fourth Air Force replacement depot, preparing fillers and technicians for their overseas assignments. One notable feature of Hammer Field was its extensive hospital, which offered medical services not only to the base but also to surrounding army bases.

Following World War II, Hammer Field was inactivated by the Army Air Forces, and the City of Fresno saw the potential to transform it into a commercial airport. In 1946, the War Assets Administration transferred the property to the city, and construction of a passenger terminal began. In 1948, the newly renamed Fresno Air Terminal (FAT) opened its doors, welcoming flights from major airlines such as Trans World Airlines (TWA) and United Airlines. The original terminal building, which featured a unique design with walls of glass and a venetian glass mosaic, is still in use today, having undergone renovations over the years.

Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and remodelling projects to accommodate the growing demand for air travel. In the late 1950s, a new, larger passenger terminal was constructed, and the airport's name was changed to Fresno Yosemite International Airport in 1996 to attract out-of-state and international visitors. The airport has consistently seen double-digit growth in passenger traffic since 2018, excluding the pandemic year of 2020. As of 2024, the airport is undergoing a significant expansion project to enhance security, increase gate capacity, and improve international arrivals facilities.

Airlines that operate out of the airport

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is a joint military-public airport in Fresno, California. It offers scheduled passenger flights to several major airline hubs in the United States and international service to Mexico.

• Alaska Airlines operates out of Fresno, offering non-stop flights to destinations such as Guadalajara, León, and Morelia in Mexico, as well as Seattle/Tacoma, Portland, and Burbank within the United States.
• United Airlines is the carrier with the longest continuous operation out of Fresno Yosemite International Airport. They offer flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago.
• Volaris is a Mexican airline that operates international service between Fresno and Guadalajara, Mexico. They also fly to Morelia and León in Mexico.
• Southwest Airlines began serving Fresno in April 2021 and offers daily flights to Las Vegas and Denver, as well as seasonal service to Dallas.
• American Airlines operates flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and Phoenix.
• Delta Air Lines offers flights to Salt Lake City and Atlanta, with the route to Atlanta being the longest flight from Fresno, taking approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes.
• Allegiant Air serves destinations such as Las Vegas, Burbank, and Santa Maria.
• Aeroméxico operates international service between Fresno and Guadalajara, Mexico.
• SkyWest Airlines is the nation's largest regional airline and has a large operations base in Fresno. They carry about 34% of the passenger traffic at Fresno and operate under contract with mainline partners as American Eagle, Alaska Airlines, Delta Connection, and United Express.

In total, there are 8 airlines operating from and to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, connecting the region with 16 destinations across Mexico and the United States.

Transport to and from the airport

Transport to and from Fresno Yosemite International Airport

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is located about one mile from California State Route 180, with Peach Avenue connecting the airport to the highway. The airport is around six and a half miles from Fresno, CA.

Car

If you're driving, you can reach Fresno from the airport via California State Route 180, which connects to other highways in the area: California State Route 41, California State Route 99, and California State Route 168.

Taxi

Taxi cabs are available at the airport terminal on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rideshare

Lyft and Uber drivers are authorised to provide ride services to and from the airport.

Bus

There are public bus services to Fresno from the airport. The Fresno Area Express (FAX) operates two bus routes to the airport, each with half-hourly services. Route 26 runs between the airport and North Fresno via Southeast and Downtown Fresno. Route 39 runs between the airport and West Fresno. The bus from the airport to the Amtrak/Greyhound Station in Fresno takes around 15 minutes and costs $1-2.

Shuttle

There are also shuttle services available from the airport, including a shuttle that takes visitors on a tour of Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Kings Canyon National Park.

Rental Car

Rental car companies operate from the airport, with pick-ups available from in-terminal Car Rental Centres.

Frequently asked questions