Monterey, California: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Yes, Monterey, California, has an airport. Known as the Monterey Regional Airport, it is located three miles southeast of Monterey, in Monterey County. The airport offers a convenient and hassle-free experience with quick and efficient boarding times and security checks. It provides a range of dining and shopping options, including a restaurant and a Starbucks nearby. The airport has a long history, dating back to flights operating from the polo field of the Hotel Del Monte in 1910. It was later known as the Monterey Peninsula Airport until it was renamed in 2011. Several airlines serve the airport, including Mesa Airlines, SkyWest, and Horizon Air, offering regional jet services and convenient travel options for passengers.

Monterey Regional Airport's history

The Monterey Regional Airport, located in Monterey County, California, was created in 1936. However, its history can be traced back to 1910, when flights first took off from the polo field of the Hotel Del Monte. During this early period, aviation in the region was still in its infancy, with the polo field serving as a makeshift airfield.

In 1936, the airport was established and took on the name Monterey Peninsula Airport. This name would stick until 2011 when the board of directors voted to change it to Monterey Regional Airport, reflecting the airport's role in serving the wider Monterey region. The airport is owned by the municipalities that constitute the Monterey Peninsula Airport District, which was formed in 1941 when local communities banded together to acquire land for an airport.

However, with the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. Navy leased the land, opening the Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey on May 23, 1943. The Navy's presence at the airport continued until 1972. During this period, the airport played a strategic role in military operations.

Over the years, the airport has witnessed several accidents and incidents. One notable incident occurred in 1968 when a Cessna 210 stalled during landing due to the pilot suffering a heart attack. Sadly, the plane was destroyed upon impact, despite the pilot's extensive experience. In the following decades, several other crashes occurred, some involving Cessna aircraft and others impacting different aircraft types, such as Piper and Grumman American planes.

Today, the airport covers 496 acres and has two runways. It offers convenient services, easy navigation, and a variety of dining and shopping options. The airport is currently undergoing a transformation, with a new passenger terminal expected to be completed by 2027. The airport continues to be a vital gateway to the Monterey region, providing both regional and seasonal routes to various destinations.

Airlines and aircraft

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is located just three miles southeast of Monterey, California. The airport offers a convenient, hassle-free experience with quick and efficient boarding times and security checks. It has a simple layout, making it easy to navigate. The airport is currently undergoing a transformation, with a new passenger terminal and an adjacent aircraft parking apron in the works, expected to be completed by May 2027.

Airlines

Monterey Regional Airport offers a range of commercial airlines that provide regional and direct flight services. These include major carriers and their regional partners, such as JSX, which operates out of Del Monte Aviation. The airport has a history of being served by several airlines, with some operating daily nonstop jet services to and from other cities in California.

Aircraft

The airport accommodates a mixture of aircraft, from regional jets to larger mainline jets. Mesa Airlines, operating as American Eagle, utilizes Canadair CRJ-900s, while SkyWest, operating as both American Eagle and United Express, uses Canadair CRJ-200s and CRJ-700s. Horizon Air, representing Alaska Airlines, employs Bombardier Q400s, the largest and fastest in the de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 family.

In the past, Golden Gate Airlines was based at Monterey Regional Airport, serving over 20 cities across multiple states with a fleet of turboprop aircraft. They operated various aircraft types, including Convair 580s, Fairchild Swearingen Metroliners, Fokker F27s, and de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7s.

The airport has also witnessed several incidents involving smaller aircraft, such as Cessnas and Pipers, with some accidents resulting in fatalities.

Terminal facilities

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is located in Monterey County, California, just 10 minutes from downtown Monterey. The airport offers daily flights to and from several major cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, and Phoenix, providing connections to over 95 domestic and international destinations.

The terminal at Monterey Regional Airport boasts a range of facilities and amenities designed to enhance the travel experience for both leisure and business travellers. The terminal is known for its ease of navigation, with a straightforward layout that makes finding your way around a breeze. A directory map is also provided to assist travellers in locating their desired destinations within the terminal building.

When it comes to dining, the terminal has a variety of options to choose from. There is a restaurant that is a favourite among locals, as well as a Starbucks located down the road. The terminal's post-security central plaza features a centre bar for dining and offers various seating options for travellers to rest and relax before their flights. Additionally, an outdoor terrace provides scenic views of the region's natural beauty.

For travellers who need to stay connected, the airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal. Those arriving by car will find ample parking options, including a new five-story parking garage surrounded by native landscaping. The airport also provides rental car services, making it convenient for travellers who wish to explore the scenic Monterey region at their own pace.

Monterey Regional Airport is currently undergoing a transformation, with a new passenger terminal anticipated to be completed by May 2027. This modern terminal will feature a single-level layout for improved accessibility and wayfinding, as well as the airport's first passenger boarding bridges, making it easier for travellers to access planes in any weather condition. The design of the new terminal showcases the beauty of Monterey, with a nature-inspired theme that includes a pre-security garden plaza and a glass wall offering views into the post-security central plaza.

Transport to/from the airport

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is located three miles southeast of Monterey, California, and offers a convenient, hassle-free experience with quick and efficient boarding times and security checks. The airport is easy to navigate, and there are several dining and shopping options in and around the terminal.

Monterey Regional Airport offers a range of transportation options to and from the airport, including:

• Bus services: The Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) provides bus services to and from the airport. MST also offers an ADA Paratransit Program for those who require wheelchair-accessible transportation.
• Taxi services: Taxis are readily available at the airport and are regulated by the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority. A $3 airport surcharge will be added to the meter rate for rides to and from the airport.
• Ridesharing: Ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber are permitted to operate at the airport, providing another convenient option for passengers.
• Rental cars: Several rental car companies operate out of the MRY terminal during the airport's operating hours.
• Private car services: Private car services, such as limousines and luxury sedans, are available for transport to and from the airport and throughout the Monterey region.
• Airport shuttle: The Monterey Shuttle, formerly known as the Monterey Airbus, offers transportation to and from San Francisco and San Jose Airports.

Whether you're arriving or departing, Monterey Regional Airport strives to provide hassle-free transportation options to get you to your final destination quickly and easily.

Accidents and incidents

Monterey, California, is served by the Monterey Regional Airport, which is located about three miles southeast of the city in Monterey County. The airport has two runways and covers 496 acres. It was created in 1936 and was known as the Monterey Peninsula Airport until 2011.

Monterey Regional Airport has been the site of several aviation accidents and incidents over the years. Here is a detailed description of some of these events:

June 14, 1964: A Piper PA-28 aircraft (tail number N5384W) crashed in Monterey, killing a 34-year-old student pilot. The investigation revealed that the pilot misjudged his altitude, flying too low, and was also under the influence of alcohol.

August 17, 1968: A Cessna 210 (tail number N9676T) stalled while landing at the Monterey Peninsula Airport. The 48-year-old pilot suffered a heart attack, causing the plane to stall and resulting in its destruction upon impact. Fortunately, the pilot had extensive flight experience, with about 5,743 flight hours.

July 26, 1979: A Cessna 320A (tail number N3005R) crashed during its final approach to Monterey. The accident was attributed to the 62-year-old pilot's improper use of Instrument Flight Rules operations. The pilot had approximately 3,621 flight hours.

August 23, 1984: A Cessna 320C (tail number N7AE) departed from Monterey under Special Visual Flight Rules with a 58-year-old pilot and four passengers. Shortly after takeoff, at around 8:55 pm, the aircraft was advised to turn left by Air Traffic Control to avoid rising terrain. Unfortunately, the Cessna was unable to avoid the terrain, crashed, and caught fire. Sadly, all occupants perished in the accident.

June 24, 1992: A Cessna 421B (tail number N628RJ) collided with a hill about three miles east of the airport shortly after takeoff. The investigation determined that ground fog and overconfidence on the part of the 40-year-old pilot, who had limited flight experience (about 75 hours), were the causes of the accident. Sadly, all three occupants were killed.

August 7, 1997: A Grumman American AA-5 (tail number N6086L) took off from Monterey but was later found crashed 18 miles south of the airport. It had collided with the mountains, causing the aircraft to catch fire. The 31-year-old pilot had accumulated about 4,000 flight hours.

October 4, 2022: A twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 90 aircraft was forced to land at Meadows Field Airport in California en route to Monterey Regional Airport due to a medical emergency involving the pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) took charge of the investigation.

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