Lois Larson
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is located 3.5 miles southeast of downtown Monterey, California. The airport covers 496 acres and has two runways. It is a non-hub airport, with four major airlines (Alaska, Allegiant, American, and United) serving over 500,000 passengers per year. The airport offers direct flights to several destinations and one-stop connections to cities worldwide. Unlike larger airports, the MRY terminal is easy to navigate, with a variety of dining and shopping options available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Monterey Regional Airport |
| Location | 3.5 miles east of downtown Monterey, California, US |
| Year of Opening | 1936 |
| Area | 496 acres |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Airlines | Alaska, Allegiant, American, and United |
| Number of Passengers | 500,000+ per year |
| Parking | Short-term and long-term parking facilities |
What You'll Learn
Monterey Regional Airport's history
The history of Monterey Regional Airport can be traced back to 1910, when flights first took off from the polo field of the Hotel Del Monte. However, the airport itself was officially created in 1936 and was known as the Monterey Peninsula Airport until 2011, when it was renamed Monterey Regional Airport. The airport is owned by the municipalities that make up the Monterey Peninsula Airport District, which was formed in 1941 when local communities acquired land to build an airport. During World War II, the U.S. Navy leased the land and opened the Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey in 1943. The Navy remained at the airport until 1972.
Monterey Regional Airport has been the site of several notable incidents over the years. In 1968, a Cessna 210 stalled while landing due to the pilot suffering a heart attack. Then, in 1979, a Cessna 320A crashed during its final approach as a result of improper Instrument Flight Rules operations by the pilot. Another tragic accident occurred in 1984 when a Cessna 320C crashed and caught fire, resulting in multiple fatalities.
The airport has undergone significant development and improvements over the years. In the late 1940s, Southwest Airways began serving Monterey with Douglas DC-3s. In 1968, Pacific Air Lines, which had been serving the airport, merged with other airlines to form Air West, which was later renamed Hughes Airwest. Golden Gate Airlines, which was based at the airport, served over 20 cities.
Today, Monterey Regional Airport continues to offer a convenient and hassle-free travel experience with quick boarding and security checks. The airport is easily accessible and provides a range of transportation options, including rideshares, taxis, and buses. It is committed to ensuring accessible services and facilities for all members of the public. The airport is currently undergoing a transformation, including the construction of a new passenger terminal, as part of the Safety Enhancement Program, to enhance safety and functionality while reflecting the essence of the surrounding area.
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Airlines and destinations
Monterey Regional Airport (IATA: MRY, ICAO: KMRY, FAA LID: MRY) is located in Monterey County, California, United States. The airport is situated 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Monterey. It was established in 1936 and was previously known as the Monterey Peninsula Airport until its name was changed in 2011. The airport covers 496 acres (201 ha) and has two runways.
Monterey Regional Airport offers a range of commercial airlines that provide regional and worldwide services. The airport is served by Mesa Airlines, SkyWest (operating as American Eagle and United Express), and Horizon Air (on behalf of Alaska Airlines). These airlines offer regional jet flights and connect Monterey to various destinations.
In the late 1970s, several airlines offered nonstop jet services from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Monterey, including Air California, Hughes Airwest, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), and United Airlines. Additionally, United and PSA provided nonstop jet services from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
As of 2025, JSX, a semi-private jet company, has announced the expansion of its seasonal summer routes, offering public chartered flights to and from MRY. These include nonstop seasonal services to Burbank (BUR) and Orange County (SNA).
The airport provides convenient transportation options, with rideshares, taxis, and buses available for arriving and departing passengers. It also offers both short-term and long-term parking facilities, as well as a premium parking lot located directly in front of the terminal.
Monterey Regional Airport is undergoing a transformation, with a new passenger terminal and safety enhancement projects anticipated to be completed by 2027. This includes a replacement passenger terminal, an adjacent aircraft parking apron, and other improvements to enhance the travel experience for its passengers.
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Parking and transport
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) offers a convenient and hassle-free experience with easy navigation and quick security checks. The airport provides both short-term and long-term parking facilities, including a premium parking lot located directly in front of the terminal. There are three convenient parking lots and several curbside parking spots, with options for all parking needs. The short-term (premium) parking lot is the closest and most convenient option, providing easy access to the restaurant and observation deck. It is ideal for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs, with up to 3 minutes allowed for curbside parking. For longer stays, the long-term parking lot is a more affordable option, just a short 3-5 minute walk from the terminal.
The airport does not offer advanced reservations for parking at this time, and all parking facilities accept cash and cards. Parking rates may vary depending on the lot and duration. Visitors with disabilities can utilise the handicap parking options available in both short-term and long-term lots, located within a few minutes' walking distance to the terminal.
For those arriving or departing, transportation options such as rideshares, taxis, and buses are readily available. The Monterey–Salinas Transit provides public ground transit services to and from the airport. Taxi services are regulated by the Monterey County Regional Taxi Authority, ensuring a consistent and reliable option for travellers.
The airport is easily accessible, located along Olmstead Road, just north of Highway 68 (Salinas Hwy). Highway 1 can also be reached via Highway 68 to the northwest. With its convenient location, parking options, and transportation connections, Monterey Regional Airport offers a seamless travel experience for passengers.
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Accidents and incidents
Monterey Regional Airport, located in Monterey County, California, has been the site of several accidents and incidents over the years. Here is a detailed summary of some notable occurrences:
1964
On June 14, 1964, at around 7:35 pm, a Piper PA-28 aircraft (tail number N5384W) crashed in Monterey. The 34-year-old student pilot misjudged his altitude, flying too low and under the influence of alcohol. The crash resulted in a fatal accident, killing the pilot.
1968
On August 17, 1968, at approximately 12:36 pm, a Cessna 210 (tail number N9676T) suffered a stall during its landing approach at the Monterey Peninsula Airport. The incident occurred due to the 48-year-old pilot experiencing a heart attack, leading to the destruction of the Cessna upon impact.
1979
Nearly a decade later, on July 26, 1979, around 9:43 pm, another incident occurred involving a Cessna 320A (tail number N3005R) that crashed during its final approach to Monterey. In this instance, the 62-year-old pilot's improper use of Instrument Flight Rules operations was determined to be the cause.
1984
On August 23, 1984, at about 8:51 pm, a Cessna 320C (tail number N7AE) departed from Monterey under Special Visual Flight Rules. The aircraft, piloted by a 58-year-old with four passengers on board, was advised by Air Traffic Control to turn left to avoid rising terrain. Unfortunately, the Cessna was unable to avoid the terrain, crashed, and caught fire, resulting in the tragic death of all occupants.
1992
A tragic accident occurred on June 24, 1992, when a Cessna 421B (tail number N628RJ) collided with a hill just three minutes after taking off from Monterey. The pilot, a 40-year-old with approximately 75 hours of flight experience, and two passengers perished in the crash. The investigation attributed the accident to a combination of ground fog and overconfidence on the part of the pilot.
1997
On August 7, 1997, at approximately 8:00 pm, a Grumman American AA-5 (tail number N6086L) departed from Monterey but crashed into the mountains 18 miles south of the airport. The crash resulted in a fire, and sadly, the 31-year-old pilot, who had about 4,000 hours of flight experience, perished.
Just two months later, on October 12, 1997, at about 5:28 pm, a well-known musician and performer, John Denver, was flying a Rutan Long-EZ (tail number N555JD) when it crashed into Monterey Bay near Pacific Grove.
2022
In more recent times, on October 4, 2022, a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 90 aircraft en route to Monterey Regional Airport from Las Vegas experienced a medical emergency involving the pilot. The plane safely landed at Meadows Field Airport in California, and the incident was investigated by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
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Future developments
The future of Monterey Regional Airport is set to undergo a series of transformations and improvements. The airport's master plan, known as Vision 2035, involves reconfiguring nearly everything that surrounds the runways. This includes a larger LEED-certified terminal building, new hangars, general aviation services, and a new fire station on the north side of the airport. The initial construction and demolition phases are expected to cost $190 million and take five to ten years to complete.
However, the proposed developments have faced challenges and community opposition. Residents of Del Rey Oaks, where the proposed access road would be built, have expressed strong resistance to the plan, citing concerns about increased traffic and the impact on their neighbourhood. As a result, the city of Monterey sued the Monterey Peninsula Airport District, and a legal settlement was reached in April 2025, pledging that any future development on the airport's north side would not increase traffic on Airport Road.
Despite these setbacks, the airport has received grants to fund improvements, including runway enhancements and a new terminal to ensure compliance with FAA regulations and better serve passengers. The airport is also undergoing a Safety Enhancement Program, which includes a replacement passenger terminal and an adjacent aircraft parking apron, with the terminal groundbreaking anticipated in 2025.
With these future developments, Monterey Regional Airport aims to enhance its facilities, improve safety, and provide better services for its growing number of passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport covers 496 acres (201 ha) and has two runways.
The Monterey Region is accessed by four major airlines (Alaska, Allegiant, American, and United) serving over 500,000 passengers per year.
The IATA code for the airport is MRY.
The airport is located 3.5 miles east of downtown Monterey, or 3 miles (5 km) southeast of the city.
The airport provides both short-term and long-term parking facilities. It also has a premium parking lot located directly in front of the terminal. There are several dining and shopping options in and around the terminal, including a restaurant and a Starbucks down the road.
