San Diego's Airport: A Comprehensive Overview

San Diego International Airport, also known as Lindbergh Field, is the primary airport serving San Diego and its metropolitan area. Located just three miles from downtown San Diego, it is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world, with over 20 million passengers annually. San Diego International Airport is easily accessible from various parts of the city and offers convenient transportation options, including the San Diego Flyer, an electric shuttle service connecting the airport to regional transit. In addition to this primary airport, the city of San Diego also operates two general aviation airports: Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport and Brown Field Municipal Airport, providing further access to air travel in the region.

San Diego International Airport

The airport's landing approach is known for its proximity to downtown San Diego's skyscrapers, which, along with the relatively short landing area, the steep descent over Bankers Hill, and shifting wind currents, can make for a challenging landing for pilots. The airport has one runway, designated 09/27, made of asphalt and concrete, measuring 9,401 by 200 feet (2,865 m x 61 m). Westerly winds predominate, so most takeoffs and landings use Runway 27. The final approach to Runway 27 is notable for offering passengers a bird's-eye view of the city, including Balboa Park, downtown, Petco Park, and San Diego Bay.

The airport provides easy access to the Port of San Diego and is conveniently located near Interstate 5, State Route 94, and San Diego's two cruise ship terminals. Ground transportation options include taxis, ride-sharing services, rental car agencies, and public transportation via the Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Flyer shuttle.

The history of San Diego International Airport dates back to 1928 when it was known as Lindbergh Field, inspired by Charles Lindbergh's historic flight. It gained international airport status in 1934 and has since undergone expansions and improvements, including the recent "Green Build" expansion of Terminal 2 West and the ongoing construction of a new Terminal 1 as part of the Airport Development Plan.

Tijuana International Airport

San Diego does have an airport. The San Diego International Airport is located across from Harbor Island and near downtown San Diego. It is about three miles northwest of downtown San Diego and is easily accessible from Interstate 5, State Route 94, and San Diego's two cruise ship terminals.

Now, here is some detailed information on the Tijuana International Airport:

The Tijuana International Airport is the fifth busiest airport in Mexico and the 16th busiest in Latin America. It has seen significant growth, handling nearly 9 million passengers in 2019 and reaching over 12 million passengers in 2024. The airport serves a network of 42 domestic destinations across Mexico and is a hub for Volaris and Viva airlines. It also houses facilities for the Mexican Air Force and supports cargo flights, tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities.

The airport has a single 9,800-foot-long runway, a parallel taxiway, and an apron with 23 parking positions. The passenger terminal accommodates both domestic and international flights with two pier concourses and 20 gates. The ground floor includes check-in and baggage claim areas, while the first floor features a security checkpoint and an airside corridor leading to the concourses. The airport offers various amenities, including lounges, duty-free shops, food and beverage options, currency exchange services, ATMs, and special needs assistance.

The Tijuana International Airport began operations in 1958, and its current terminal was opened in 1970, replacing the old terminal, which became a Mexican Armed Forces air base. The airport is owned by the Government of Mexico and operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico. It is named after General Abelardo L. Rodríguez, a former Governor of Baja California and late President of Mexico.

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport

San Diego does have an airport—in fact, it has several. The primary international airport serving San Diego and its metropolitan area is San Diego International Airport (IATA: SAN, ICAO: KSAN, FAA LID: SAN). However, there is also the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, a public airport located six miles (about 10 km) north of downtown San Diego.

History

In 1947, the City of San Diego purchased the airport from Gibbs and, in 1950, renamed it Montgomery Field in honour of John Joseph Montgomery, an aviation pioneer who made the first manned, controlled, heavier-than-air flights in the United States from Otay Mesa, south of San Diego, in 1884. In 2016, the airport was renamed Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport to recognise both of its previous namesakes.

Operations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has classified Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport as a reliever airport for San Diego International Airport. This means that it serves general aviation aircraft that might otherwise use the congested international airport. The types of general aviation aircraft that operate at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport include private, corporate, charter, air ambulance, law enforcement, fire rescue, flight training, and cargo. The airport is also one of the busiest in the US for small aircraft and has a number of flying clubs and flight schools. Business turboprops and jets are based there, and the San Diego Fire Department bases aircraft there.

Specifications

• Runway 10L/28R: 4,598 x 150 feet, asphalt, MIRL, PAPI, MALSR (28R), precision markings (28R), 1,176 feet displaced threshold (28R)
• Runway 10R/28L: 3,401 x 60 feet, asphalt, REIL (28L), basic markings
• Runway 5/23: 3,400 x 75 feet, asphalt, basic markings, 390 feet displaced threshold (5)

The airport's elevation is 427 feet MSL.

Brown Field Municipal Airport

San Diego does have an airport—in fact, it has several. The primary international airport serving San Diego and its metropolitan area is San Diego International Airport (IATA: SAN, ICAO: KSAN, FAA LID: SAN)three miles northwest of downtown San Diego, across from Harbor Island, and is easily accessible from Interstate 5, State Route 94, and San Diego's two cruise ship terminals.

However, in this response, we will focus on Brown Field Municipal Airport, a general aviation airport located 13 miles southeast of downtown San Diego, in the Otay Mesa community.

History

From 1918 to 1919, pilots flying the Curtiss JN-4D Jenny trained at East Field. After World War I, the military maintained control of the field for touch-and-go landings and radio-controlled target drone experiments.

In 1943, the U.S. Navy took over the airfield, changing its name to Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Otay Mesa. Later that same year, the name was changed again to NAAS Brown Field, in honour of Navy Commander Melville S. Brown, who was killed in a plane crash near Descanso, California, in 1936. Commander Brown had served as the commanding officer of the USS Truxtun when it was commissioned in 1921 and was the executive officer of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington at the time of his death.

Between 1943 and 1946, the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps utilised NAAS Brown Field for training in various aircraft, including the P-38 Lightning, F4F and FM1 Wildcat, TBF and TBM Avenger, F6F Hellcat, and PB4Y Privateer.

In 1946, the Navy decommissioned Brown Field NAAS and transferred it to San Diego County as surplus property. The county rented portions of the former base for use as a chicken farm, and Chula Vista High School was established on the airport property that same year.

In 1951, due to increased military activity from the Korean War, the Navy reopened Brown Field NAAS. In 1954, it was commissioned once more and designated as a Naval Auxiliary Air Station, providing facilities to support regular operations of fleet aircraft, assigned missile programs, and fleet carrier landing practice.

On September 1, 1962, the Navy transferred ownership of Brown Field NAAS to the City of San Diego, with the condition that it remain a public airport. During the mid-to-late 1960s, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), a San Diego-based airline, trained its pilots at Brown Field using various aircraft, including Piper Arrows, Comanches, Aztecs, and Beechcraft Bonanzas. PSA also had a contract to train Lufthansa pilots at Brown Field, but this training moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1970, where it still takes place today.

Current Status

Today, Brown Field Municipal is a busy general aviation airport, serving private, corporate, charter, air ambulance, law enforcement, fire rescue, flight training, cargo, skydiving, banner towing, and airship operations. The military continues to maintain a strong presence at the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration has designated Brown Field Municipal as a reliever airport for San Diego International Airport, helping to reduce congestion at the larger airport by serving general aviation aircraft.

Development plans for the airport were announced on October 4, 2022, with phases expected to roll out over 20 years. These plans include a new FBO terminal building and individual airplane hangars, with potential additions of retail and industrial buildings and possibly a hotel.

Transportation options

San Diego International Airport (IATA: SAN, ICAO: KSAN, FAA LID: SAN) is located three miles (4.8 km) northwest of downtown San Diego. The airport is accessible by car via Interstate 5, State Route 94, and North Harbor Drive. Short-term parking is available in front of both terminals, while long-term parking can be found on North Harbor Drive east of the terminals, with shuttle buses running to and from the airport.

Public Transportation

There are several public transportation options for getting to and from the airport:

• Metropolitan Transit System Route 992: Operates between downtown San Diego and all three terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 2 East, and Terminal 2 West) from 5 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. with buses arriving every 15 minutes. It connects to major transportation hubs in downtown San Diego, including Santa Fe Depot and City College station.
• Metropolitan Transit System Route 923: Operates between Ocean Beach and downtown San Diego, with a stop near the airport on North Harbor Drive. This route runs from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every 30 minutes on weekdays and does not operate on weekends.
• TROLLEY shuttle: Buses serving the rental car center make a stop near Middletown station, which is served by the Blue and Green lines of the San Diego Trolley.
• San Diego Flyer shuttle: Complimentary buses operate between the airport and Old Town Transit Center every 20 to 30 minutes. This service is timed to meet the first and last Trolley, Coaster, Amtrak trains, and MTS buses, allowing passengers to easily transfer to other forms of public transportation.

Private Transportation

For those seeking a more direct and exclusive travel experience, private transportation options are available:

• SuperShuttle Express: This service offers advanced reservations for stress-free travel to and from the airport. They provide door-to-door service, picking you up from your home or hotel and dropping you off right at your terminal. SuperShuttle Express also offers upfront pricing and a reliable fleet of vehicles, including black cars and SUVs.
• Ride-sharing services: Both terminals at San Diego International Airport have designated pickup areas for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. This option provides flexibility and convenience, allowing you to request a ride on your schedule.

Frequently asked questions