Exploring La's Airport Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide

what are the la area airports

Los Angeles, California, is served by five airports with commercial air service, including the primary international airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is the world's eighth busiest airport. In addition to LAX, the other four major airports in the LA area are John Wayne Airport (SNA), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and Long Beach Airport (LGB). There are also several smaller airports in the region, including Brackett Field, El Monte Airport, Santa Monica Airport, and Catalina Airport.

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LAX: The primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area

Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, LAX, is the primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is 18 miles (30 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles and close to the Pacific Ocean. LAX is a major international gateway to the United States and serves as a connection point for passengers travelling internationally. It is the world's eighth busiest airport, handling 32 million passengers and serving more than 40 countries on 800+ routes. LAX has nine terminals with 146 gates, arranged in a horseshoe shape, and is currently undergoing a major expansion project. The airport covers 3,500 acres of land and has four parallel runways. Under "Westerly Operations", departing aircraft take off to the west, over the ocean, and arriving aircraft approach from the east to reduce noise for nearby residential areas.

LAX is easily accessible via various transportation options. The LAX Automated People Mover (APM), a 2.25-mile rail line under construction, will soon connect the terminal area with parking facilities and the Los Angeles Metro Rail system. The FlyAway express bus system also connects LAX with Los Angeles Union Station, the region's primary rail transportation hub. For those driving to the airport, the LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility offers 4,300 parking spaces.

Over the years, LAX has undergone significant expansions and upgrades. Terminals 7 and 8, followed by Terminals 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, were opened in 1961, with Terminal 1 opening in 1984. The Tom Bradley International Terminal, which has been substantially rebuilt, also opened in 1984 ahead of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. The latest expansion includes refurbishing all terminals and adding a West Gates satellite concourse to the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

In addition to LAX, the Greater Los Angeles Area is served by four other major airports handling commercial traffic: John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and Long Beach Airport (LGB). These airports offer alternative options for travellers, with John Wayne Airport serving as a gateway to popular tourist attractions such as the Disneyland Resort.

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John Wayne Airport: Second-busiest airport in the region, located in Orange County

John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County, is the second-busiest airport in the LA region. It is an international airport, serving as a gateway to many of the region's popular tourist attractions, including the Disneyland Resort. The airport served 10.7 million passengers in 2019.

John Wayne Airport has two runways and three terminals to facilitate international and domestic flights. Terminal A has eight gates, Terminal B has seven, and Terminal C has seven. The airport is situated around 9 kilometres (5.8 miles) from the city centre and is about 61 kilometres (38 miles) east of Downtown Los Angeles.

The airport was built in the 1920s as a private landing strip named Eddie Martin Airport. In 1929, it was designated as an airport and is now one of the smallest airports in Los Angeles. John Wayne Airport has undergone developments over the years, with Terminal A and B being built in 1990, and Terminal C opening in 2011.

John Wayne Airport is a convenient option for travellers, especially those visiting Orange County and the Greater Los Angeles area. It is also a good choice for those travelling to Disneyland or seeking a sunny beach vacation. The airport is well-connected, with easy access to various destinations, including a 30-minute drive to downtown LA, South Bay, or Disneyland.

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Hollywood Burbank Airport: The smallest of the primary airports, with only domestic air service

Hollywood Burbank Airport, the smallest of the primary airports in the Los Angeles area, offers only domestic air service. The airport is located in Burbank, California, and serves the highly populated areas of northern Los Angeles County, including Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, and the western San Gabriel Valley. It is the closest airport to central and northeastern Los Angeles, and it is also in close proximity to popular attractions such as Griffith Park and Universal Studios Hollywood.

The airport has a long history, dating back to 1928 when the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (UA&T) identified the site as a potential location for a new airport. The airport was originally named United Airport and has since undergone several name changes, including Union Air Terminal, Lockheed Air Terminal, Hollywood-Burbank Airport, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport, and Bob Hope Airport, before settling on its current name, Hollywood Burbank Airport, in 2017.

Hollywood Burbank Airport is unique in that it is the only airport in the area with a direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles, with service from two stations: Burbank Airport-North and Burbank Airport-South. This makes it a convenient option for travellers looking to explore the city. The airport also has its own police and fire departments, ensuring the safety and security of its passengers and staff.

In terms of operations, the airport has a strict voluntary noise abatement procedure to reduce aircraft noise for nearby residents. Commercial flights are typically scheduled between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm, with departing flights usually taking off to the south and arriving flights landing from the north, depending on the wind conditions. Nonstop flights from the airport primarily serve cities in the western United States, although Delta Air Lines operates regular routes to Atlanta.

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Ontario International Airport: A convenient option for residents in the Inland Empire and eastern San Gabriel Valley

Ontario International Airport, also known as ONT, is a convenient option for residents in the Inland Empire and eastern San Gabriel Valley. Located in the city of Ontario in San Bernardino County, California, it is about 38 miles (61 km) east of downtown Los Angeles and 18 miles (29 km) west of downtown San Bernardino. The airport covers 1,741 acres (705 hectares) and has two parallel runways, including one that is longer than three of the four runways at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), making it an alternate landing site for large aircraft destined for LAX.

Ontario International Airport offers nonstop flights to nearly 30 destinations, including New York, Las Vegas, Mexico, Denver, Chicago, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Salt Lake City. It served 5.6 million passengers in 2019, with more than 64 daily departures and arrivals as of September 2018. The airport is easily accessible, with convenient parking options and fast-moving security lanes that get you from the curb to the gate in minutes.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1923 when a landing field was established east of Central Avenue, about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of its current location. In 1946, the airport was renamed Ontario International Airport due to the trans-Pacific cargo flights originating there. In 1967, Ontario and Los Angeles entered into a joint-powers agreement, integrating the airport into the Los Angeles regional airports system. The airport's traffic peaked in 2005 with 7.2 million passengers but was impacted by the 2008 financial crisis, with a decline in passenger volume and the suspension of service by JetBlue.

Ontario International Airport provides a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience. It offers various dining and shopping options, easy navigation with terminal maps, and comprehensive disability services tailored to the comfort of travelers with disabilities. The ONT+ program allows even non-travelers to access the post-security amenities, showcasing the airport's commitment to accessibility and convenience for all.

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Long Beach Airport: The least busy airport in the area, located in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles

Long Beach Airport (IATA: LGB, ICAO: KLGB, FAA LID: LGB) is located in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles. It is also known as Daugherty Field, named after local aviator Earl Daugherty. The airport is 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of downtown Long Beach, in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Long Beach Airport is the least busy airport in the area.

Long Beach Airport has one terminal in the Streamline Moderne style, which is a historical landmark. The terminal has been carefully restored and preserved, earning the airport extensive praise and awards for sustainability and modern updates to its design and architecture. The airport has undergone a $122 million improvement program, which included the addition of a new Ticketing Lobby and Checked Baggage Inspection System in 2022, and a new consolidated Baggage Claim in 2023. The terminal has also been recognised as one of the best airports for dining, with travellers able to enjoy wine tasting and meals from local restaurants.

The airport is served by Southwest Airlines, which is currently the airport's largest airline, as well as Delta Connection Regional jet flights. In the past, JetBlue operated the most airline flights out of Long Beach, but the carrier moved its operating base to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in October 2020. Other airlines that have previously served the airport include American, Hawaiian, Alaska Airlines, Continental, TWA, and USAir. Air cargo carriers FedEx and UPS also use the airport, with 57,000 tons of goods carried each year.

Long Beach Airport has an aggressive noise abatement program, with three full-time noise specialists. Commercial flights have been restricted since 1981 due to noise complaints, with a limit of 15 daily flights initially. As of 2023, the limit has been increased to 41 daily permanent flights and 17 supplemental flights, for a total of 58 flights per day. The airport produces a monthly noise and complaint report to address the concerns of local residents as air traffic continues to increase.

Frequently asked questions

There are five major airports in the LA area: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and Long Beach Airport (LGB).

The main international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles. LAX is the world's eighth busiest airport, serving more than 40 countries on 800+ routes.

In addition to the five major airports, there are several smaller airports in the LA area, including Brackett Field, Santa Monica Airport, Catalina Airport, and Compton/Woodley Airport.

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