Sanford Florida: Airport Location And Travel Options

what airport is in sanford fl

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a commercial, public airport located in Sanford, Florida, United States. It is one of two airports serving the Orlando area, the other being Orlando International Airport. Orlando Sanford International Airport is approximately a 35-minute drive from downtown Orlando and offers both international and domestic flights.

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Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

The airport consists of Terminal A and B, which are connected to each other. Both terminals have dining and shopping options, with a Starbucks located in Terminal B. Allegiant Air check-in is located in Terminal B, and short, long-term, economy and hourly parking are available. Terminal A offers four retail shops, including a newsstand and a food court, while Terminal B has a gift shop and a Hudson News newsstand, as well as food options including Starbucks, Edy’s, Cinnabon, and Cheeburger Cheeburger Express. Free Wi-Fi is available inside the airport.

Orlando Sanford International Airport covers 3,000 acres and has four runways. The airport is owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority and serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air. Sanford is Orlando's secondary commercial airport and is farther away from downtown Orlando and Walt Disney World than the primary airport, Orlando International Airport. The airport is also home to the L3 Harris Airline Academy, which provides ab initio flight training for prospective regional airline and international pilots.

The airport was built as Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft, and was used by the U.S. Navy until 1969. In the 1970s, the former OLF (Operating Location Facility) began to be used by general aviation drug-smuggling aircraft as a transshipment point. Following a major drug interdiction, Seminole County placed large speed bumps across the runways to deter future illegal use. In the 1980s and 1990s, the oldest Navy buildings were demolished, while those built in the 1950s and 1960s were renovated for civil use. New buildings and hangars were added, and OLF Osceola was transferred to the control of Seminole County but was never officially recommissioned as an active airfield. In the mid-1990s, a new passenger terminal capable of accommodating jet airliners was built, and in 1996, Michael Jackson and his team rehearsed for the HIStory World Tour at the airport.

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Airport history and previous names

Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is a commercial, public airport in Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. The airport started as Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It was commissioned on November 3, 1942, and was used by the US Navy until 1969. During this time, the base focused on advanced land-based patrol plane training.

In 1946, the City of Sanford assumed control of the airfield and named it Sanford Airfield. However, during the Korean War, the US Navy resumed using the airport and retained ownership until 1968. In 1969, the City of Sanford once again took control of the facility, renaming it Sanford Airport. The Sanford Airport Authority was also established during this transition.

Over the years, the airport has undergone several name changes, including Sanford Regional Airport, Central Florida Regional Airport, and Orlando Sanford Regional Airport. The current name, Orlando Sanford International Airport, reflects its status as a secondary commercial airport serving the Orlando area.

The airport has seen significant development and expansion since its early days. In the 1980s and 1990s, the oldest Navy buildings were demolished, while those from the 1950s and 1960s were renovated for civil use. New buildings and hangars were constructed, and the airport infrastructure was improved, including the addition of a new arrivals building, a cargo centre, and a new control tower. In the mid-1990s, a new passenger terminal capable of accommodating jet airliners was built, attracting many charter airlines.

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Airlines that use the airport

Orlando Sanford International Airport (IATA: SFB, ICAO: KSFB, FAA LID: SFB) is the airport in Sanford, Florida. The airport is a commercial, public-use airport that serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air. It is also home to the L3 Harris Airline Academy, which provides flight training for prospective regional airline and international pilots.

In terms of airlines that use the airport, Allegiant Air is a major presence, as mentioned earlier. Allegiant Air is a Las Vegas-based airline that has made Sanford a focus city, contributing to the majority of the airport's domestic passenger traffic since 2008.

In addition to Allegiant Air, Thomas Cook Airlines previously served Orlando Sanford for almost a decade before moving its operations to Orlando International Airport in 2014. Canadian low-cost carrier Flair Airlines also announced in 2021 that it would launch service to Sanford, connecting the airport with five Canadian destinations.

Historically, the airport used to attract many charter airlines catering to the heavy British tourist demographic due to reduced landing fees. However, some of these airlines, such as Airtours, JMC Air, and My Travel, eventually moved their operations to Orlando International Airport.

Today, Orlando Sanford International Airport continues to offer fast and affordable air travel, with the convenience of shorter security lines and quicker navigation compared to larger airports.

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Runway and terminal details

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is located in Sanford, Florida, and is one of two airports serving the Orlando area. It is approximately 35 minutes' drive from downtown Orlando and 45 minutes from many of the area's theme parks. The airport covers 3,000 acres (1,214 ha) and has four runways:

  • Runway 9L/27R: 11,002 x 150 ft. (3,353 x 46 m), asphalt
  • Runway 9C/27C: 3,578 x 75 ft. (1,091 x 23 m), asphalt
  • Runway 9R/27L: 5,839 x 75 ft. (1,780 x 23 m), asphalt
  • Runway 18/36: 6,002 x 150 ft. (1,829 x 46 m), asphalt/concrete

The dominant runway is 9L/27R, which was extended by 1,400 ft (430 m) to 11,000 ft (3,400 m) in 2013. The airport has two linked passenger terminals: Terminal A (International) and Terminal B (Domestic). Both terminals offer dining and shopping options, with Starbucks located in Terminal B. Check-in for all Allegiant flights is in Terminal B, and short, long-term, economy, and hourly parking are available. The rental car facility is located on the airport property, and there is a Welcome Center situated across from Terminal A.

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Other nearby airports

Orlando Sanford International Airport is the closest airport to Sanford, Florida, but there are several other airports in the region. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major airport that is approximately 25-33 miles from Sanford, Florida. This airport is a popular choice for those travelling to Sanford as it is more centrally located and offers a wider range of domestic and international flights.

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) is another option, located about 29-36 miles from Sanford. This airport offers domestic flights from Daytona Beach, Florida. For those who are willing to travel a greater distance, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 96 miles from Sanford and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is about 120 miles away. These airports offer additional flight options and connections to other destinations.

The choice of airport will depend on various factors such as the specific destination, airline preferences, and travel costs. Each airport has its own unique features and amenities, so it is worth considering which one best suits the traveller's needs and preferences.

Frequently asked questions

The airport in Sanford, Florida, is called the Orlando Sanford International Airport. Its address is 1200 Red Cleveland Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773.

The airport code for the Orlando Sanford International Airport is SFB.

The Orlando Sanford International Airport has two terminals, Terminal A and B, which offer dining and shopping options. Terminal A has four retail shops, including a newsstand, and a food court, while Terminal B has a gift shop, a Hudson News newsstand, and food options like Starbucks, Edy's, Cinnabon, and Cheeburger Cheeburger Express.

Orlando Sanford International Airport is an operating base for Allegiant Air, and it also serves as a base for Flair Airlines, which offers flights to five Canadian destinations.

Some of the nearest airports to Sanford, Florida, include Orlando International Airport (33 miles away), Daytona Beach International Airport (36 miles away), and Tampa International Airport (119 miles away).

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