Ruth Haines
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is located in Palm Springs, California, just 4 miles from the city's downtown area. The airport was originally built as a United States Army Air Corps emergency landing field in 1939 and has since expanded to offer nonstop flights to 30 airports and connections to 300+ global cities. PSP has been awarded for its excellence, including being named the Best Small US Airport in the 2021 TPG Awards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Palm Springs International Airport |
| Airport Code | PSP |
| Location | Palm Springs, California |
| Distance from Downtown Palm Springs | 4 miles |
| Year Opened | 1966 |
| Architect | Donald Wrexler |
| Airlines | Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), United Airlines, WestJet, Flair Airlines, aha!, and more |
| Non-Stop Destinations | 30 airports, including San Francisco, Denver, Sacramento, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and more |
| One-Stop Destinations | 300+ global cities |
| Services | Uber, Lyft, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
History of Palm Springs International Airport
Palm Springs International Airport (IATA: PSP, ICAO: KPSP, FAA LID: PSP), formerly Palm Springs Municipal Airport, is located two miles east of downtown Palm Springs, California, United States. The airport covers 940 acres and has two runways.
The airport began as a single dirt runway in the 1920s, established by brothers Wesley and Early Gray next to Prescott T. Steven's El Mirador Hotel in 1927. It was mainly used by aviation pioneers and army and navy cadets from March Airfield and San Diego. In 1934, Palm Springs had scheduled passenger service operated by Palm Springs Air Lines with flights to the Union Air Terminal (now the Hollywood Burbank Airport) in Burbank.
In 1939, the airport was built as a United States Army Air Corps emergency landing field on land owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians due to its clear weather and proximity to March Field and Los Angeles. In March 1941, the War Department deemed improvements to the airport essential to National Defense, and it was approved to serve as a staging field by the Air Corps Ferrying Command 21st Ferrying Group in November 1941. The new airfield, Palm Springs Army Airfield, was completed in early 1942, and the old airfield was used only as a backup.
In 1945-46, Western Airlines flights began, followed by Bonanza Air Lines in 1957-58. In 1964, Western Lockheed L-188 Electras flew non-stop to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. By 1966, the main building of the airport, designed by Donald Wrexler, was opened. In the winter of 1967-68, American Airlines Boeing 707s appeared, with four daily departures from the airport by 1969.
In the 1970s, the airport underwent a transformation from a single runway to a dual-runway airport, with a new runway completed in 1993 and the existing runway expanded by 1994. In 1978, Trans World Airlines (TWA) Boeing 707s arrived, and by 1987, six major airlines were operating from Palm Springs. The airport continued to expand and renovate in the 1990s and 2000s, with the addition of the Sonny Bono Concourse in 1999, an outdoor courtyard in 2007, and a renovated South Concourse by 2007.
In the 2010s, rapid airline growth and expansion occurred, with WestJet launching flights to PSP in 2010 and Delta upgrading its services in 2014. During the 2021-22 winter season, airlines continued to expand, allowing passenger traffic to exceed pre-pandemic levels. Today, Palm Springs International Airport offers nonstop flights to 30 airports and connections to over 500 cities worldwide.
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Airlines that serve Palm Springs Airport
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in California is served by several prominent airlines, offering passengers a diverse range of destinations and travel options. The airport hosts an average of 100 daily flights and provides nonstop service to over 20 destinations.
Alaska Airlines
A leading carrier at Palm Springs Airport, Alaska Airlines offers direct flights to Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The airline is known for its comfortable seating and exceptional in-flight service, and also provides an award-winning loyalty program for frequent flyers.
American Airlines
American Airlines offers nonstop flights to Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, and Chicago O'Hare. They provide a range of seating options and diverse in-flight entertainment, making them a popular choice for passengers.
United Airlines
United Airlines provides nonstop services to Denver, San Francisco, and Chicago O'Hare, with a variety of seating options and comprehensive in-flight entertainment.
JetBlue
JetBlue offers direct flights to major cities across the United States and is known for its spacious seating and complimentary in-flight entertainment.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is renowned for its flexible change policies and two free checked bags policy. The airline connects passengers to numerous destinations, offering extensive connectivity from Palm Springs.
Sun Country Airlines
Sun Country Airlines provides seasonal services with a focus on leisure travel, emphasising comfort and affordability.
Other Airlines
Other airlines that have served or currently serve Palm Springs Airport include Delta, Frontier Airlines, WestJet, Flair Airlines, and Trans World Airlines (TWA).
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Driving to Palm Springs Airport
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is located in the heart of the city of Palm Springs, California, just two miles from downtown. The airport is easy to get to and can be accessed directly from Tahquitz Canyon Way (from downtown) or Kirk Douglas Way, fed by Ramon Road from points east.
If you are driving to the airport from a major city nearby, you can expect the following driving times:
- Los Angeles – 2 hours
- San Diego – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Newport Beach – 1 hour 45 minutes
- Anaheim – 1 hour 45 minutes
- San Bernardino – 1 hour
- Riverside – 1 hour
- Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona – 4 hours
- Las Vegas, Nevada – 4 hours
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes early to account for parking, ticketing, and security screening. Parking is conveniently located near the terminal, with a maximum charge of $20.00 per 24-hour period in the main lot and $18 in the overflow lot.
Once you enter the airport, you will first encounter the security screening area, followed by automatic doors leading to an open-air courtyard with a restaurant, coffee shop, and restrooms. Ticketing and baggage claim areas are located on the right and left wings, respectively.
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Transport options from the airport
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is located just 4 miles from downtown Palm Springs, California. The airport offers nonstop flights to 30 airports and one-stop flights to over 300 global cities.
By car
Palm Springs is easily accessible by car from many large metropolitan areas in the Southwest. Driving times from some major cities include:
- Los Angeles: 2 hours
- San Diego: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Newport Beach: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Anaheim: 1 hour 45 minutes
- San Bernardino: 1 hour
- Riverside: 1 hour
- Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona: 4 hours
- Las Vegas, Nevada: 4 hours
Road traffic can access the airport directly off of Tahquitz Canyon Way (from downtown) or Kirk Douglas Way, which is fed by Ramon Road from points east. Uncovered parking areas are located directly in front of the airport building.
By bus
The SkyCap Shuttle Service provides luxury SUV, town car, and van shuttle services to all locations in Palm Springs and surrounding desert cities.
By train
Although there is no mention of train services directly from the airport, Palm Springs is accessible by train.
Ride-share
Ride-share companies such as Uber and Lyft provide pick-up and drop-off services at the airport. Drop-offs are allowed curbside in front of the terminal building. For pick-ups, follow the Rideshare signage to the designated area at the terminal's south end in the commercial lane across the street from WestJet Airlines.
By taxi
Taxis are also available for transportation to and from the airport.
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Airport facilities and amenities
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in California is located just four miles from the city's downtown area and convention centre. The airport offers non-stop flights to 30 airports and one-stop flights to over 300 destinations globally. Airlines serving PSP include Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta.
The airport has a range of facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of travellers. The main building, designed by Donald Wexler, opened in 1966. Departing passengers first check in at the airline ticket counters or kiosks before proceeding to the security screening area. After clearing security, passengers exit the main building through automatic doors and enter an open-air courtyard with a restaurant, coffee shop, and restrooms. The airport also provides free wireless internet throughout all public areas of the terminal.
PSP has a variety of shops located in the main terminal, offering snacks, drinks, travel essentials, and unique gifts. These shops include I ❤ PSP Self Serve, The Pink Door, Las Palmas Oasis, Hey Joshua, Uptown Essentials, and InMotion. The shops are open from 4:30 am to 8 pm, while restaurants are open from 5 am until the last flight. One such restaurant is Las Casuelas Terraza, a local favourite known for its authentic Mexican cuisine, outdoor seating, and serene water feature.
For travellers who prefer not to drive, ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft provide pick-up and drop-off options at the airport. Drop-offs are allowed curbside in front of the terminal, while pick-ups are directed to a designated area at the terminal's south end. Additionally, PSP has partnered with SkyCap Shuttle Service to provide luxury SUV, Town Car, and van shuttle services to various locations in Palm Springs and surrounding areas.
Palm Springs International Airport also has a Stay & Play Visitor Pass Program, which allows non-travelling individuals to pass through the security checkpoint and access the entire airport. This programme enhances the airport's accessibility and provides a unique experience for visitors who want to explore the airport's amenities and services.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for Palm Springs International Airport is PSP.
Palm Springs International Airport is approximately 4 miles from the centre of Palm Springs.
Driving times from major cities to Palm Springs:
- Los Angeles – 2 hours
- San Diego – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Newport Beach – 1 hour 45 minutes
- Anaheim – 1 hour 45 minutes
- San Bernardino – 1 hour
- Riverside – 1 hour
- Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona – 4 hours
- Las Vegas, Nevada – 4 hours
There are uncovered parking areas directly in front of the airport building.
