Sacramento Airport: Size, Scale, And Significance

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) covers 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) and has two parallel runways. The airport is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights to 36 destinations. In 2023, the airport announced a $1.3 billion expansion that will add new gates and potentially a new terminal. The airport has been ranked highly for stress-free travel and has a range of passenger facilities, including medical facilities, a full-service post office, and a variety of shops and eateries.

Sacramento International Airport covers 6,000 acres and has two runways

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) covers 6,000 acres (2,400 hectares) and has two parallel runways. The airport, located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento, first opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and it had one 8,600-foot runway. This initial runway, now named 17R/35L, is on the west side of the airfield.

The airport has undergone significant expansion and improvements over the years. In 2008, the Sacramento County Airport System embarked on the largest capital improvement project in the county's history, known as "The Big Build." This $1.03 billion project modernised and expanded Terminal B, tripling its size to meet rising passenger demand and attract new carriers and routes. The two parts of the Terminal B complex, the airside concourse and the landside terminal, are connected by an automated people mover.

The airport's two runways are designated 17L/35R and 17R/35L. The west runway, 17R/35L, underwent a renovation from April 2019 to October 2019, replacing asphalt with concrete. The runway dimensions are approximately 8,600 feet by 150 feet. The airfield operates in "'South Flow'" when winds are from the south (about 70% of the year) and in "North Flow" during the remaining 30%, typically between fall and spring.

Sacramento International Airport is a significant gateway to Northern California destinations and a link to major cities worldwide. It offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 36 destinations. The airport has a range of passenger facilities, including ATMs, medical facilities, a post office, a lost property area, shops, and eateries. It also provides business and conference facilities within the airport grounds.

Terminal B is three times the size of the original

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento, California. Covering an area of around 6,000 acres (2,400 hectares), the airport has two parallel runways and two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B.

Terminal B, which was expanded in 2008 as part of the "Big Build" project, is now three times the size of the original Terminal B. The $1.03 billion terminal modernization project was designed to replace the airport's original, ageing Terminal B, increasing its capacity to meet rising passenger demand and improving the airport's ability to attract new carriers and routes.

The Central Terminal B complex has two parts: the airside and the landside, which are connected by the SMF Automated People Mover. The airside gates and people mover were built by Turner Construction, while the landside (pre-security) portion of Terminal B was built by a joint venture of Austin Commercial, LP, and Walsh Construction. The glass and aluminium facade of the building was constructed by Architectural Glass and Aluminum (AGA).

The Landside Building, designed in association with LA Fuess Partners, features large open spaces and a dramatic architectural form. It incorporates architecturally exposed structural steel 'X-Brace' elements with curved and tapered beams, which are both aesthetically important and critical to the building's lateral system. The Airside Building also has expansive, undulating spaces that lent themselves to steel construction, with an emphasis on open areas and flexibility in the use of space.

Sacramento International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, offering more than 155 daily nonstop flights to 36 destinations. It has been recognised for its reliability and "stress-free" travel experience, ranking as the top midsize airport in the Wall Street Journal's 2022 Airport rankings.

The airport is 12 miles from downtown Sacramento

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento. The airport, which covers 6,000 acres, is a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California, including the California State Capitol, Wine Country, and Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

SMF offers a range of transportation options to get to and from the airport, including taxis, buses, shuttles, and ride-sharing services. The quickest way to get to downtown Sacramento from the airport is by taxi, which takes around 15 minutes and costs a set fee of $30. For a more budget-friendly option, there is a public bus, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SACRT) Bus 142, which takes about 30 minutes and costs $2.50. This bus also accepts card payments, which can be useful if you don't have cash on hand.

Sacramento International Airport has undergone significant improvements over the years, including the recent announcement of a $1.3 billion expansion plan, called SMForward. This project will add new gates, improve connectivity to downtown Sacramento, and enhance the airport's ability to accommodate long-haul international flights.

The airport has also implemented initiatives to address noise and wildlife concerns and is committed to minimizing the stresses associated with air travel. As a result, it has been ranked as one of the top airports in the nation for "stress-free" travel by AirHelp, with high ratings for on-time flights and exceptional reliability.

It offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights to 36 destinations, both domestic and international. The airport is served by 12 major carriers.

SMF was opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and it had one 8,600-foot runway. The airport replaced Sacramento Municipal Airport (SAC), now known as Sacramento Executive Airport, which had handled all commercial airline flights in the Sacramento region prior to this date.

SMF has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years to meet rising passenger demand and attract new carriers and routes. In 2008, the Sacramento County Airport System began "The Big Build," a $1.03 billion terminal modernisation project that replaced the aging Terminal B. The new Terminal B complex is three times the size of the original and includes an airside concourse and a landside terminal connected by an automated people mover.

The airport covers 6,000 acres (2,400 hectares) and has two parallel runways. It has been recognised for its efforts to improve sustainability, including a $15 million solar array commissioned in 2018 that is expected to supply around 30% of the airport's electricity needs and save nearly $1 million annually.

SMF has also been ranked highly for its customer experience and reliability. In 2024, it was named the top airport in the United States for "stress-free" air travel in January by AirHelp, an airfare claims management company. The airport was praised for delivering passengers with exceptional reliability, with 82.30% of flights on time. It has also received awards from the Wall Street Journal, being named the top midsize airport in the nation in 2022.

The airport has a full-service post office and a lost property area

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) covers 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) and has two parallel runways. The airport is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and is open 24/7. It is a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California, including Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

The airport has a full-service post office, which offers services such as passport application and photo services. The post office can be contacted at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) for facility accessibility inquiries and appointment scheduling.

Additionally, the airport has a dedicated Lost and Found Department to assist with lost property inquiries. The department can be contacted by phone at (916) 874-0701 or by email at [email protected]. The office is located between Terminal A and Terminal B at 7001 Lindbergh Drive and is open from 7 am to 10 pm, Monday through Friday. It is closed on holidays.

If you have lost an item at the TSA security checkpoint, you will need to contact the TSA directly. The TSA can be reached by phone at (916) 830-0227 or by email at [email protected]. Their hours are 8 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, and they are also closed on holidays.

Sacramento International Airport has undergone significant expansion and improvement projects over the years, including the recent SMForward expansion plan, which aims to add new gates and enhance the airport's capacity.

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