Owais Crawford
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is a large and busy airport located about seven to eight miles north of the city centre. Covering an area of 2,305 acres, it has 3 runways serving 24 gates across 2 terminals. The airport sees about 260 departures and arrivals every day and offers a range of amenities, including dining, shopping, banks, currency exchange outlets, and free Wi-Fi. Despite having 'international' in its name, the airport mainly serves destinations within the US, with a few flights to Mexico. San Antonio International Airport is known for its accessibility features, providing disabled parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible taxis, braille buttons on elevators, and specially designed ticket counters, restrooms, drinking fountains, and more.
What You'll Learn
Terminal buildings and dining options
San Antonio International Airport has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, with 27 jet bridge gates between them. Terminal A was formerly known as Terminal 1, and Terminal B was formerly Terminal 2, which opened in 1953 and closed in 2010, respectively. A new Ground Load Facility is under construction and is expected to be completed by early 2025. This facility will be connected to Terminal A and will have three ground load gate positions, retail stores, and food options.
The airport offers a variety of dining options, from quick bites to sit-down meals. Some of the popular restaurants located within the airport include Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Merit Coffee, La Tapenade Mediterranean Cafe, The Fruteria, Alamo Alehouse & Burgers, and Sbarro. There are also dining options such as Auntie Anne's, Mission City Ice House, Steak 'n Shake, Gervin's Sports Bar, Boss Bagels, Starbucks, Charleys Cheesesteaks, and Dunkin'. For travellers who want to grab a quick snack before their flight, there are options like chicken fingers, smoothies, and coffee, while those looking for a more leisurely dining experience can enjoy a sit-down meal at one of the airport's restaurants.
In addition to its dining options, San Antonio International Airport also boasts a plethora of shopping opportunities. Whether travellers are seeking a good book, the latest gadgets, or duty-free bargains, the airport has something for everyone. Simply Books, located at Gate A8, offers a wide selection of books and reading materials. InMotion Entertainment, found at Gates A8 and B3, provides travellers with the latest electronics and travel gadgets. For sports enthusiasts, the Spurs Fan Shop at Gate A7 offers a range of sports merchandise. Marcy's Business & Travel Center in Terminal A caters to all business and travel-related needs. La Gloria in Terminal A and Texas Monthly News, found in both terminals, offer an extensive selection of magazines, newspapers, and travel essentials.
The airport also features a consolidated rental car facility spanning 1.8 million square feet, accessible via a sky bridge from the mezzanine level of Terminal B. This facility, completed in January 2018, provides easy access to a variety of rental car options. Additionally, the airport is conveniently located near the intersection of Interstate 410 and U.S. 281, offering quick access to Downtown and northern San Antonio. VIA Metropolitan Transit provides weekday express bus services from the airport to Downtown, making it even more accessible for travellers.
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Shopping and amenities
San Antonio International Airport is a bustling hub with a wide range of shopping and amenity options for travellers. The airport covers more than 2,600 acres and offers various facilities to enhance your travel experience.
Shopping
San Antonio International Airport has a variety of shops, including popular options like Simply Books, InMotion Entertainment, and UETA Duty Free. Simply Books, located at Gate A8, offers a wide selection of books to keep you entertained during your flight. InMotion Entertainment, also at Gate A8, provides the latest electronics and travel gadgets. If you're looking for a good read, you can also check out Alamo Extra News-stands and Stars of San Antonio, which offers a range of souvenirs.
For duty-free shopping, UETA Duty Free provides a tax-free shopping experience. Additionally, InMotion Entertainment in Terminal 2 offers a range of products, and Landing Gear is another popular option for travellers. Whether you're looking for a quick read, a souvenir, or duty-free items, San Antonio International Airport has something to meet your shopping needs.
Amenities
The airport provides essential amenities to make your travel experience more convenient and comfortable. ATMs and currency exchange services are available throughout the airport, including at Marcy's Business Travel Center in the Terminal A lobby. Battery charging stations and free Wi-Fi can be found throughout the terminals, ensuring you stay connected during your wait.
For those seeking a quiet space, an interfaith meditation room is located in the Terminal B ticketing lobby and is open 24 hours a day to people of all faiths. Additionally, a lactation room can be found in the Terminal A ticket lobby and the Terminal B food court. San Antonio International Airport also has a business centre called Never 2 Late, where you can access the internet and respond to emails.
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Transport and accessibility
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is located about seven to eight miles north of downtown San Antonio. The airport covers a total area of 2,305 acres, though one source states it covers more than 2,600 acres. It has three runways serving 24 gates across two terminals. Terminal 1 was built in 1984 and handles around 60% of the airport's traffic. Terminal 2 is scheduled to be replaced.
The airport is served by VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio's public transportation provider, which runs a bus route from the airport to downtown. The bus stop is clearly marked on the arrivals level of both terminals, and the bus number is 5. The journey takes around 30 minutes, and the cost is a fraction of that of a taxi. Taxi cabs and rideshares are also available at the airport and are the fastest way to get to downtown San Antonio.
There are several options for car rental at the Consolidated Automobile Rental Facility, including Alamo, Hertz, and National Automobile Rental, which provide 24-hour service. The airport also has a Cell Phone Waiting Lot, located one block off 410/Airport Blvd, where customers can park and wait for their party to arrive.
The airport is highly accessible, with many disabled parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible taxi cabs, braille buttons on elevators, and specially designed ticket counters, restrooms, drinking fountains, and ATMs.
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History and development
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) opened in 1942 as a training base for the U.S. Army Air Force. After World War II ended, the airport reverted to its original intended use as a civil airport. Since then, it has expanded gradually, with new terminal buildings and other structures, including additional parking. The airport now covers more than 2,600 acres (or 2,305 acres according to another source) and has three runways serving 24 gates across two terminals. The current Terminal 1 was built in 1984 and handles around 60% of all traffic at the airport. Terminal 2 was still operational as of 2009 but was scheduled to be replaced.
The airport is located about seven to eight miles north of San Antonio's downtown and is highly accessible, with plenty of disabled parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible taxi cabs, braille buttons on elevators, and specially designed ticket counters, restrooms, drinking fountains, and ATMs. The fastest way to get to the city from the airport is by taxi or rideshare, while the cheapest option is the VIA Metropolitan Transit bus route, which takes about 30 minutes.
The airport has a range of dining and shopping options, including pizzerias, smokehouses, sandwich shops, and cuisines ranging from Mexican to Mediterranean. There are also food trucks and a Consolidated Rental Automobile Facility near Terminal B, which offers a wide range of gourmet options. The shopping selection is modest, with convenience stores, electrical retailers, a small Duty-Free outlet, and shops selling souvenirs. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, currency exchange services, and water bottle-filling and charging stations.
The airport's Terminal Development Program will guide its future development over the next 20 years, including airfield, terminal facilities, ground access, and supporting infrastructure.
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Size and location
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is located about seven to eight miles north of downtown San Antonio. Covering more than 2,300 acres, it is a large and busy airport with three runways serving 24 gates across two terminals. Terminal 1, built in 1984, handles around 60% of the airport's traffic, while Terminal 2 is scheduled to be replaced. The airport is accessible by VIA Metropolitan Transit, which runs a bus route from the airport to downtown San Antonio. The airport also offers a range of amenities, including dining, shopping, banks, currency exchange outlets, free Wi-Fi, and a business centre.
The airport's history dates back to 1942 when it served as a training base for the U.S. Army Air Force. After World War II, it reverted to its civil airport function and has since expanded with new terminal buildings, parking, and other structures. The airport's development is guided by the Terminal Development Program, which outlines future improvements to the airfield, terminal facilities, ground access, and supporting infrastructure.
San Antonio International Airport caters to a significant volume of air traffic, with approximately 260 departures and arrivals daily. It serves mostly domestic destinations within the United States, particularly cities in Texas, including Dallas and Houston. However, it also accommodates a limited number of flights to Mexico.
The airport's configuration includes parallel runways 13R/31L and 13L/31R, with an intersecting runway 04/22. It has class Charlie airspace and several military operations areas nearby. The absence of ground radar surveillance at the San Antonio tower increases complexity during periods of low visibility, requiring pilots to exercise caution at certain intersections and hotspots within the airport.
San Antonio International Airport is committed to accessibility, offering various amenities for individuals with disabilities. These include disabled parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible taxi cabs, braille buttons on elevators, and specially designed ticket counters, restrooms, drinking fountains, and ATMs.
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Frequently asked questions
San Antonio International Airport covers a total area of 2,305 acres, according to one source. Another source states that it covers more than 2,600 acres.
San Antonio International Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 was built in 1984 and handles around 60% of the airport's traffic. Terminal 2 is scheduled to be replaced.
San Antonio International Airport has three runways serving 24 gates across its two terminals.
San Antonio International Airport sees about 260 departures and arrivals every day. It is described as a large and
