Roberta Aguirre
San Antonio International Airport (IATA: SAT, ICAO: KSAT, FAA LID: SAT) is the closest major airport to San Antonio, Texas, located about 10 miles from the city centre. The airport is in Uptown Central San Antonio, about 8 miles north of Downtown, and is easily accessible from Interstate 410 and U.S. 281. San Antonio International Airport was founded in 1941 and has since boarded over 80 million passengers, with more than 10 million passengers flying into and out of the airport each year.
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What You'll Learn
San Antonio International Airport
The history of the airport dates back to 1941 when the City of San Antonio acquired 1,200 acres (490 ha) of undeveloped land for a project initially called \"San Antonio Municipal Airport." However, due to World War II, the airport was not fully completed until after the war. During the war, a significant portion of the airport's northeast section, known as Alamo Field, was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a training base for reconnaissance personnel. In 1943, Braniff Airlines became the first airline to serve the airport, followed by American Airlines in 1944. The airport's name was changed to San Antonio International Airport in 1944, and at the war's end, the Alamo Field portion was transferred to the city for civil use.
The airport is easily accessible from Interstate 410 and U.S. 281, providing quick connections to Downtown and northern San Antonio. It is also an economic hub for the region, supporting a significant number of jobs and contributing substantially to the local economy.
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Airport history
San Antonio International Airport (IATA: SAT, ICAO: KSAT, FAA LID: SAT) is an international airport in San Antonio, Texas, United States. It is the 44th busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic, averaging 260 daily departures and arrivals at its 27 gates. The airport is located in Uptown Central San Antonio, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Downtown. It was founded in 1941 when the City of San Antonio purchased 1,200 acres (490 ha) of undeveloped land north of the city limits for a project to be called "San Antonio Municipal Airport." However, due to World War II, the airport was not fully finished until after the war. In 1944, the airport's name was changed to its current name, San Antonio International Airport.
During World War II, a large portion of the airport, known as Alamo Field, was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a training base for reconnaissance personnel. After the war, this portion of the airport was no longer needed by the military and was turned over to the City of San Antonio for civil use. The original one-level terminal (formerly Terminal 2) opened in 1953 with ground-loading holding areas and has been expanded multiple times over the years. Terminal 2 was eventually replaced by the new Terminal B, which opened in 2010.
San Antonio International Airport has two terminals with a total of 27 jet bridge gates. Terminal A, which opened in 1984, is the larger of the two concourses, with 17 gates. All international carriers operate out of Terminal A. Terminal B has ten gates as of 2023, with two additional gates added to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. The airport has a consolidated rental car facility and is easily accessible from Downtown and northern San Antonio via U.S. 281 and Interstate 410.
Over the years, San Antonio International Airport has undergone various improvements and expansions. In 1994, a second Airport Master Plan was developed to take the airport into the 21st century, including more parking spaces, improved access, and an improved concession program. The airport has boarded over 80 million passengers since 1966 and continues to be a significant transportation hub for the region.
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Airlines and destinations
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is the main airport serving San Antonio, Texas. It is located in Uptown Central San Antonio, about 8-10 miles north of Downtown San Antonio. The airport has two terminals and 27 jet bridge gates, with an average of 260 daily departures and arrivals.
Airlines:
Several airlines operate from San Antonio International Airport, including:
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Trans States Airlines
- Mexicana (suspended operations in 2010)
- Braniff Airlines (first airline to serve the airport in 1943)
- American Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
Destinations:
San Antonio International Airport offers non-stop flights to 45 destinations in the US and Mexico. Some of the cities served by the airport include:
- Atlanta
- Chicago-O'Hare
- Dallas
- Denver
- Houston
- Minneapolis
- Orlando
- Los Angeles
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Airport facilities
San Antonio International Airport (IATA: SAT, ICAO: KSAT, FAA LID: SAT) is located in Uptown Central San Antonio, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Downtown. The airport is accessible via the intersection of Interstate 410 and U.S. 281, with U.S. 281 providing quick access (under 15 minutes in normal traffic) to Downtown and northern San Antonio. Interstate 410, a loop, connects the airport to the rest of the city. A park & ride facility is also available in Stone Oak on Route 7, and local bus services can be accessed via Route 5.
The airport has two terminals with a total of 27 jet bridge gates. Terminal A, which opened in 1984, contains a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, while Terminal B opened in 2010. Construction began in 2023 to add two more gates to Terminal B, bringing the total number of gates to 35. The airport also has a 1.8 million square foot consolidated rental car facility, which can be reached via a sky bridge from the mezzanine level of Terminal B.
San Antonio International Airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options. A Cell Phone Waiting Lot is also available, where customers can park and wait for their party to arrive. This lot is located one block off 410/Airport Blvd, adjacent to the QMart and Burger King, and has a special rate of $33 a day, plus tax.
The airport currently averages 260 daily departures and arrivals, serving 14 airlines flying non-stop to 45 destinations in the US and Mexico. It covers 2,305 acres (933 ha) and has three runways. The airport is the 44th busiest in the United States by passenger traffic, having boarded over 3.5 million passengers in 1999 and more than 80 million since 1966.
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Other airports in Texas
Texas has the highest number of airports of any state in the US, with 393 airports open to the public. The primary airport serving San Antonio, Texas, is San Antonio International Airport (SAT). It is located about 8 miles (13 km) north of Downtown San Antonio, in Uptown Central San Antonio, and is the 44th busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the biggest airport in Texas and the fourth biggest in the world by area. It is also the busiest airport in Texas and the fourth busiest in the US by traffic movement. DFW is located between the major cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and is the principal hub of American Airlines/American Eagle of AMR Corporation, the biggest airline in the world in terms of passenger fleet volume and overall passenger miles travelled.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston is the second-biggest airport in Texas. It is a Class B International Airport serving the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metropolitan Region and is the biggest hub of Continental Airlines. IAH operates flights to the most destinations in Mexico out of any US airport.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is located 85 miles from San Antonio and is the closest major airport outside of San Antonio International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
San Antonio International Airport (IATA: SAT, ICAO: KSAT, FAA LID: SAT) is the main airport in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio International Airport is located about 8 miles (13 km) north of Downtown San Antonio. It is approximately a 15-minute drive from the city centre via U.S. 281.
San Antonio International Airport averages 260 daily departures and arrivals at its 27 gates. The airport boarded over 3.5 million passengers in 1999 and has boarded more than 80 million people since 1966. More than 10 million passengers fly into and out of the airport each year.
San Antonio International Airport offers long-term and short-term parking garages, as well as an economy green lot and a Cell Phone Waiting Lot.
