
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is an international airport in Oakland, California, United States. The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles (19 km) east of San Francisco. Oakland International Airport has two terminals with a total of 29 gates and offers international and domestic flights.
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What You'll Learn

Oakland International Airport's location and ownership
Oakland International Airport (IATA: OAK, ICAO: KOAK, FAA LID: OAK) is located in Oakland, California, United States. The airport is 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles (19 km) east of San Francisco, serving the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Oakland International Airport is conveniently located just 25 minutes from downtown San Francisco, in the heart of the Bay Area.
The airport covers 2,600 acres (1,100 ha) of land and is owned by the Port of Oakland. The city of Oakland first considered constructing an airport in 1925. The announcement of the Dole Air Race from California to Hawaii prompted the city to purchase 680 acres (280 ha) of land for the airport in April 1927.
Oakland International Airport has two terminals with a total of 29 gates and offers domestic passenger flights to cities across the United States. It also provides international passenger flights to Mexico and El Salvador, as well as cargo flights to China and Japan. The airport is a significant hub for Southwest Airlines, which operates point-to-point routes using bases instead of a traditional hub-and-spoke network.
The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years, including a $300 million project in 2004 that added five gates to Terminal 2 and improved various airport facilities. Oakland International Airport is currently planning a major expansion to accommodate its growing passenger volume. The project includes the construction of a third passenger terminal, modernisation of existing terminals, expansion of customs facilities, and reconfiguration of cargo facilities to enhance operational efficiency.
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The airport's history
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is an international airport in Oakland, California, United States. The airport is located 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles (19 km) east of San Francisco, serving the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The airport is owned by the Port of Oakland and has domestic passenger flights to cities throughout the United States and international flights to Mexico and El Salvador, in addition to cargo flights to China and Japan.
The history of Oakland International Airport dates back to the 1920s when the city of Oakland first considered constructing an airport. In April 1927, the announcement of the Dole Air Race from California to Hawaii provided the incentive to purchase 680 acres of land for the airport. The airport's construction began in June 1927, with a 7,020-foot-long runway, the longest in the world at the time. The airport was dedicated by Charles Lindbergh on September 17, 1927, and just a month later, pilot Ernie Smith and navigator Emory Bronte took off from Oakland on a 2,100-mile flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, in a Travel Air 5000 named City of Oakland.
In its early years, Oakland Airport served as the departing point for several historic flights, including Charles Kingsford Smith's US-Australia flight in 1928 and Amelia Earhart's final flight in 1937. During this time, Oakland also attracted major airlines, with Boeing Air Transport (a predecessor of United Airlines) beginning scheduled flights in 1927, followed by Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1932. In 1943, during World War II, the U.S. Armed Forces temporarily took over the airport, transforming it into Naval Air Station Oakland, a base for military flights to the Pacific islands. All scheduled civilian services were moved to San Francisco International Airport during this period.
After World War II, Oakland Airport resumed civilian operations, with Western Airlines, American Airlines, TWA, United, Transocean Air Lines, and Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) all offering flights. Oakland became a hub for non-scheduled and supplemental air carriers, with several major companies basing their operations there. The airport continued to grow, and in 1962, its first Jet Age terminal (now Terminal 1) was opened as part of a $20 million expansion. By the 1970s, Oakland International Airport had established itself as a significant international airport, with World Airways providing contract maintenance services for 14 airlines and operating flights to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
In the 1980s, Oakland International Airport continued to expand, with the addition of a second terminal and the introduction of new carriers, including People Express Airlines and SFO Helicopter Airlines. The airport also welcomed supersonic flights, with Concorde visiting Oakland in 1987 and 1989, offering two-hour flights to the Pacific. Today, Oakland International Airport remains an important aviation hub, serving over 10 million passengers annually and contributing significantly to the economic well-being of the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Airlines operating from the airport
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles (19 km) east of San Francisco. The airport is an operating base for Southwest Airlines, which offers point-to-point routes without the use of a traditional hub-and-spoke network. Southwest Airlines expanded its operations at Oakland Airport in the 1990s, becoming the dominant passenger carrier at the airport.
Oakland Airport also has domestic passenger flights to cities across the United States, operated by various airlines. Some of the airlines that have offered or currently offer domestic flights from Oakland Airport include American Airlines, United Airlines, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), Western Airlines, TWA, Transocean Air Lines, World Airways, Trans International Airlines, and Universal Airlines.
In addition to its domestic flights, Oakland Airport offers international passenger flights to Mexico and El Salvador. International cargo flights are also operated to China and Japan. Some of the international airlines that have served Oakland Airport include British Airways, Air France Concorde, Tower Air, Corsairfly, Martinair, CityBird, Aerocancun, Leisure Air, TAESA, and Mexicana Airlines.
Oakland Airport has two terminals with a total of 29 gates, and there are plans for a major expansion to accommodate the expected growth in passenger traffic. The expansion includes the construction of a third passenger terminal, modernization of existing terminals, and improvements to cargo facilities, roadways, and parking.
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Future expansion plans
Oakland International Airport (OAK) has been planning to expand its facilities since 2021, with the Port of Oakland announcing a milestone in July 2023 with the publication of a draft environmental impact report. The report outlines the airport's strategy to balance its expansion with the potential negative environmental consequences.
The expansion plans include the construction of a third passenger terminal with up to 25 new gates. The existing Terminals 1 and 2 will be consolidated into a single terminal with shared ticketing, baggage handling, and security facilities. A net gain of 16 gates is expected from this consolidation. The new terminal will be connected to the consolidated terminal via a connector.
The expansion project also involves reconfiguring cargo facilities and improving roadways, parking, and other support infrastructure. These enhancements are designed to accommodate the growing passenger demand and maintain the airport's reputation for convenience and on-time reliability.
However, the proposed expansion has faced opposition from local environmental groups and residents, who argue that it will contribute to climate change, increase pollution, and cause noise disturbances. The Stop OAK Expansion Coalition, comprising concerned citizens and grassroots organizations, has actively resisted the expansion, citing the potential harm to the community and the planet. They have challenged the project in court, calling for a comprehensive assessment of the airport's greenhouse gas emissions and a reduction of emissions by 45% by 2030 to align with the Paris Agreement goals.
Despite the opposition, the expansion is expected to provide Oakland International Airport with a competitive advantage over other airports in the region, such as San Jose, by attracting more airlines and carriers with additional gates and improved facilities.
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Other nearby airports
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is the main airport serving Oakland, California. It is located 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles (19 km) east of San Francisco. The airport offers domestic flights across the United States and international flights to Mexico and El Salvador. It also handles cargo flights to China and Japan.
There are several other airports in the vicinity of Oakland, California, offering additional travel options for those visiting the region. These include:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Located 23 miles from Oakland, SFO is a major international airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It offers a wide range of domestic and international flights, providing an alternative option for travellers to and from Oakland.
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC): About 42 miles from Oakland, SJC serves San Jose, California, and the surrounding area. It offers both domestic and international flights, connecting travellers to destinations worldwide.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF): Approximately 86 miles from Oakland, SMF serves the city of Sacramento and the surrounding region. It offers a range of domestic and international flight options for travellers in Northern California.
Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS): Around 66 miles from Oakland, STS is a smaller airport serving Sonoma County and the surrounding area. It may offer a more convenient option for travellers heading to specific destinations within Sonoma County.
Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK): Situated about 69 miles from Oakland, SCK serves the city of Stockton and the surrounding region. It is a smaller airport, providing a more intimate travel experience for passengers travelling to or from Stockton and nearby areas.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the airport in Oakland, California is Oakland International Airport. It is also known by its airport code OAK.
Oakland International Airport is located about 10 miles from downtown Oakland. It is also about 25 minutes from downtown San Francisco.
Oakland International Airport is owned by the Port of Oakland. It has two terminals with a total of 29 gates and offers nonstop service to destinations across the United States and internationally to Mexico and El Salvador. The airport covers 2,600 acres of land and is an operating base for Southwest Airlines.








































