San Luis Obispo Airport: A Comprehensive Guide To Flying In And Out

what airport for san luis obispo

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, also known as McChesney Field, SBP Airport, or SLO Airport, is located in San Luis Obispo, California. It offers an easy-going travel experience with eight routes connecting travellers to a large number of destinations. The airport has recently undergone renovations and expansions and is located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, offering direct access to California's Central Coast.

Characteristics Values
Name San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport
Also known as SLO County Airport, SLO Airport, SBP Airport
Address 975 Airport Drive San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone (805) 781-5205
Email [email protected]
Website sloairport.com
Airlines American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, SkyWest (United Express), American Eagle, US Airways Express, Southwest Airways, Pacific Air Lines, Air West, Hughes Airwest, Swift Aire Lines
Destinations Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle
Parking Four parking lots, including disabled parking spaces
Parking rates $20/day, $2/hour, $13/day (disabled rate)
Payment methods Credit cards, cash, pay by text, pay by app
Terminal amenities WiFi, ATMs, charging stations, outdoor pet relief area, SLO Café & Marketplace, Spirit of San Luis Restaurant
Hours 3:00 AM to 12:30 AM

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San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)

The airport serves as a crucial link between the local community and the rest of the world, facilitating commercial, private, and cargo operations. It has two runways and covers an area of 340 acres (138 hectares).

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport has a rich history dating back to World War II. From 1938 to 1941, the U.S. Army Air Corps and the California National Guard utilised the airport as an aerial observation training centre. In 1940, the War Department made significant additions, including runways, lights, barracks, hangars, and mechanic shops. The federal government returned the airport to the county in 1946, and Southwest Airways commenced passenger flights with Douglas DC-3s.

Over the years, the airport has undergone various changes and expansions. In 1947, the county contracted for additional infrastructure, and in 1953, Chris Hoover was appointed as the full-time airport manager. Swift Aire Lines began scheduled flights in 1969, and in 1987, the airport was dedicated as McChesney Field, honouring Leroy E. McChesney's contributions to aviation.

Today, the airport continues to serve a range of airlines, including American Airlines, American Eagle, and United Express. It is committed to safety and cleanliness, becoming one of the first airports in California to earn the GBAC STAR™ accreditation.

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Airport history and ownership

The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) began as a project initiated by Earl Thomson and his brothers-in-law, William "Chris" and David Hoover. They convinced county officials to lease them the land, and in April 1939, the airport opened with a single hangar and dirt runways.

During World War II, from 1938 to 1941, the U.S. Army Air Corps and the California National Guard used 218 acres of the airport as an aerial observation training centre. In 1940, the War Department added hard surface runways, lights, barracks, hangars, and mechanic shops. The federal government took over the airport during this time, turning it back to the county in 1946. That year, Southwest Airways started passenger flights with Douglas DC-3s.

In 1947, county supervisors contracted for another hangar, ramp, and administration building, and named Chris Hoover as the full-time airport manager in 1953. However, San Luis Obispo Airport had no scheduled airline service from 1956 until 1969 when Swift Aire Lines began scheduled flights with Piper Navajos.

In 1987, the airport was dedicated as McChesney Field, honouring Leroy E. McChesney for his leadership and dedication to aviation. A year later, in 1988, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) control tower opened, with scheduled services from Wings West, SkyWest, WestAir, and later American Eagle.

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Airlines and destinations

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is a small airport in San Luis Obispo, California, USA. The airport connects the local community to the world, offering flights to 9 destinations with 3 airlines. These airlines include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and United.

United is the largest airline at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, with around 51 scheduled take-offs every week. The second-largest operator is American Airlines. Other airlines that have previously served the airport include Delta Connection (SkyWest), which flew a CRJ-200 to Salt Lake City from 2007 to 2008, and American Eagle, which retired its Saab 340s in November 2008.

SkyWest (United Express) operates non-stop flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver, with plans to switch to larger Embraer ERJ-175 regional jets for daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco, and all flights to Denver. American Airlines has also announced that it will begin using larger aircraft for its twice-daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth. Additionally, Alaska Airlines will soon offer daily nonstop flights to San Diego, CA, and Portland, OR.

Some of the destinations served by the airport include:

  • Los Angeles
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle-Tacoma
  • Portland
  • Denver

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Airport facilities and amenities

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, also known as McChesney Field, SLO County Airport, or SBP Airport, is located at 975 Airport Drive San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. The airport recommends that travellers arrive 2 hours before their flight to allow for ticketing and security screening, especially during the early morning when the TSA and outbound flights are busiest. The airport terminal is open daily from 3:00 AM to 12:30 AM.

SBP Airport features four parking lots with varying levels of proximity to the main airport terminal. Parking Lot 4 has designated disabled parking spaces with close access to the access ramp and elevator. Parking rates for daily parking are $20/day, or $2/hour, with a discounted rate of $13/day for disabled drivers. The airport accepts payment via credit cards, cash, text, or app.

SBP Airport provides a safe and convenient airport experience for commercial, private, and cargo air traffic and passengers. The airport has recently undergone renovations and expansions, improving the travel experience for passengers. In addition, SBP was one of the first airports in California to achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation, an international safety and cleaning standard.

Terminal amenities at SBP Airport include WiFi, ATMs, charging stations, and an outdoor pet relief area. The airport's Spirit of San Luis Restaurant serves burgers, sandwiches, and more, with views of the runway and surrounding mountains.

Upon arrival at San Luis Obispo Airport, passengers can easily arrange ground transportation or rent a vehicle from on-site rental car companies, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz.

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Transport and access

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is the regional airport for San Luis Obispo County. It is located in the city of San Luis Obispo, California, and is situated directly between San Francisco and Los Angeles, offering direct access to California's Central Coast by air. The airport has recently undergone renovations and expansions and offers an easy-going travel experience.

By Air

The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport offers direct flights to and from several destinations, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix, Portland (seasonal), Las Vegas (seasonal), Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle. The airport also provides connections to hundreds of destinations worldwide.

By Car

San Luis Obispo County is accessible via major highways, including U.S. Highway 101, which runs north and south through the county, and Highway 1, which runs along the coast. Interstate Highway 5 can also be used to reach the county via State Highways 41, 46, or 166, which connect to Highway 101.

By Train and Bus

Amtrak offers train services to San Luis Obispo with the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner trains, which make daily stops at the City of San Luis Obispo Amtrak station. From the train station, passengers can board an SLO RTA bus or arrange for a Ride-On Transportation shuttle. Amtrak also provides services to the nearby cities of Grover Beach and Paso Robles.

Parking

The San Luis Obispo Airport offers four parking lots with varying levels of proximity to the main terminal. Parking Lot 4 has designated disabled parking spaces with close access to the access ramp and elevator. The daily parking rate is $20 per day, or $2 per hour, while the disabled daily rate is $13 per day. The airport accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, cash, pay by text, and mobile apps.

Frequently asked questions

The airport for San Luis Obispo is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, also known as McChesney Field. Its airport code is SBP.

Airlines that fly into and out of San Luis Obispo Airport include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, SkyWest (United Express), and American Eagle.

San Luis Obispo Airport offers non-stop flights to destinations including Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

San Luis Obispo Airport features WiFi, ATMs, charging stations, and an outdoor pet relief area. The airport also has a restaurant and a cafe.

Parking at San Luis Obispo Airport costs $20 per day or $2 per hour. The daily rate for disabled parking is $13.

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