Clear Membership: Is It Available At Orange County Airport?

John Wayne Airport, originally Orange County Airport, is located in Santa Ana, California. It is easily accessible by the San Diego (I-405) Freeway, the Costa Mesa (SR-55) Freeway, and the Corona Del Mar Freeway/San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Toll Road (SR-73). The airport has three security checkpoints, each equipped with smart scanning devices, and TSA PreCheck is available at all checkpoints. John Wayne Airport does not have CLEAR service, although a CLEAR pilot program was expected to be launched by mid-2023.

John Wayne Airport does not have CLEAR service

John Wayne Airport, also known as Santa Ana Airport or Orange County Airport, does not have CLEAR service. The airport was expected to launch a CLEAR pilot program by mid-2023, but there has been no update since.

John Wayne Airport (JWA) is located in Orange County, in the city of Santa Ana. The airport's IATA code is SNA, which stands for Santa Ana. The airport was originally called Orange County Airport but was renamed in 1979 after the late actor and Newport Beach resident, John Wayne.

JWA is known for its efficient security checks and advanced security tools, ensuring a safe journey for all passengers. The airport has three security checkpoints, each equipped with smart scanning devices to ensure a smooth security check process. TSA PreCheck is available at all security checkpoints, providing enrolled passengers with a streamlined security check process that typically takes less than five minutes.

Despite its smaller size compared to nearby Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John Wayne Airport provides an easier airport experience with convenient access to the Anaheim Convention Center, Disneyland, and other Southern California locations.

The airport is called SNA because it's in Santa Ana

John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA) is an international airport located in Santa Ana, California. The airport is owned and operated by Orange County and serves the county and the Greater Los Angeles area.

The airport was originally named Orange County Airport and was established between 1940 and 1941. In 1979, the Orange County Board of Supervisors renamed the airport after actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died that year. Despite the name change, the airport's IATA airport code remains registered to Santa Ana, the county seat.

John Wayne Airport is the only commercial airport in Orange County. The airport has a unique takeoff procedure due to local noise restrictions and a short runway. Pilots must make a steep climb after departure to comply with noise restrictions, which has led passengers to rate the airport as one of the nation's scariest.

The airport has been ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Large Airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. It is praised for its exceptional guest experience and ease of travel compared to larger Southern California airports like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

It was renamed John Wayne Airport in 1979

John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, was renamed on June 20, 1979, in honour of the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died that year. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, and it is owned and operated by the county. It is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, although its IATA airport code and mailing address are both registered to Santa Ana, the county seat.

The decision to rename the airport came from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Subsequently, the John Wayne Associates commissioned sculptor Robert Summers to create a bronze statue of "the Duke". The 9-foot (2.7 m) statue was dedicated to the County on November 4, 1982, and it is now in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal on the Arrival Level.

In June 2020, an airport name change was requested due to comments John Wayne made in a 1971 interview, which were believed to be in support of white supremacy. However, as of my last update in March 2025, the airport is still known as John Wayne Airport.

The airport is known for efficient security checks

John Wayne Airport, Orange County, is known for its efficient security checks. The airport is equipped with advanced security tools and smart scanning devices to ensure a safe and smooth security check process for all passengers. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) operates TSA PreCheck lanes at all security checkpoints, providing enrolled passengers with a streamlined security process that typically takes less than 5 minutes.

The airport recommends that passengers arrive 1.5 to 2 hours before their scheduled flight departure to allow for parking, security screening, and getting to the gate on time. Despite this recommendation, John Wayne Airport generally maintains manageable security wait times. Digital displays at each checkpoint provide real-time wait information, helping travellers manage their time more efficiently.

The airport has three security checkpoints, each with its own ticket counters, baggage claim areas, and smart scanning devices. The TSA PreCheck operating hours vary by checkpoint. For example, Checkpoint A1's hours range from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Mondays, with varying closing times throughout the week and weekend. Checkpoint B1 operates mainly from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM on selected days, and Checkpoint C's hours range from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, depending on the day.

The airport also offers a post-security access pass called the OC AirPASS, which allows non-passengers to access secure areas to shop, dine, watch planes, view art exhibits, and greet friends and relatives.

It's recommended to arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure

John Wayne Airport, Orange County, does not have the CLEAR service. While the airport was expected to launch a CLEAR pilot program by mid-2023, there have been no updates since.

Regardless of the absence of CLEAR, John Wayne Airport is known for its efficient security checks, with advanced security tools and smart scanning devices in place to ensure a safe and smooth process for all passengers. The airport also provides digital displays at each checkpoint, offering real-time wait information to help travellers manage their time effectively.

Despite this, it is still recommended that passengers arrive at the airport 1.5 to 2 hours before their scheduled flight departure. This buffer allows sufficient time to navigate several key steps, including finding parking, undergoing security screening, and reaching the gate.

John Wayne Airport offers various parking options, including Terminal Parking Structures (A1, A2, B2, C), curbside Valet Parking, and Main Street (Off-Airport) Parking. These facilities cater to both short- and long-term parking needs. The Terminal Parking Structures are particularly convenient for pick-up, with dedicated two-hour parking spaces available at a rate of $4 per hour.

After parking, passengers proceed to security screening. John Wayne Airport has three security checkpoints, each equipped with smart scanning devices and TSA PreCheck lanes. The wait times at these checkpoints can vary, especially during peak travel periods. Thus, arriving early ensures that passengers can comfortably accommodate these potential delays without missing their flight.

Finally, the recommended arrival time of 1.5 to 2 hours allows for any potential delays in reaching the gate. The airport provides an interactive map to help navigate to the correct gate, with various dining and shopping options along the way.

Frequently asked questions