The Mystery Behind Smf Airport's Name: Unveiling Its History

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 10.5 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento, California. SMF stands for Sacramento Metropolitan Field, a reference to the airport's former name and location on Freeport Boulevard. The airport serves as a gateway to Northern and Central California destinations such as Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and Wine Country. With two parallel runways and 32 gates across two terminals, SMF offers flights to various domestic and international destinations. The airport has undergone significant expansion and improvements over the years, including the addition of new terminals, parking garages, and art installations.

SMF stands for Sacramento Metropolitan Field

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 10.5 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento, California, and covers 6,000 acres. The airport serves the Sacramento Metropolitan Area and is run by the Sacramento County Airport System.

SMF opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, with one 8600-foot runway. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field. This was the first public-use airport west of the Mississippi that had been built completely from the ground up.

The airport initially served five airlines: Pacific Air Lines, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), United Airlines, Western Airlines, and West Coast Airlines. Over the years, the airport has expanded and undergone various renovations, adding new terminals, gates, and facilities to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.

SMF has become a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California, including Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Old Sacramento State Historic Park, and the California State Capitol, among others. The airport has also seen the addition of several airlines and now offers both domestic and international flights.

Today, Sacramento International Airport continues to serve the region with ongoing improvements and expansions, solidifying its role as a vital transportation hub for Northern California.

The airport was previously called Sacramento Metropolitan Airport

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) was previously called Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airport opened on October 21, 1967, under this former name, with one 8600-foot runway. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field, and the airport served the Sacramento Metropolitan Area.

The name change to Sacramento International Airport occurred in 1998, with the opening of the new Terminal A. However, the airport did not receive international flights until 2002 when Mexicana Airlines started nonstops to Guadalajara.

The airport's history dates back to a proposal in 1957, which was considered extravagant at the time. Despite the skepticism, the airport surpassed one million passengers during its first year of operation, proving the critics wrong. The original location for commercial airline flights in the Sacramento region was the current site of Sacramento Executive Airport, previously known as Sacramento Municipal Airport.

The airport has continued to expand and improve over the years, with new terminals, parking garages, and additional airlines joining the roster. The Sacramento County Airport System has also implemented various innovations, such as a consolidated rental car terminal, to enhance customer experience and streamline operations.

The airport is located 10.5 miles northwest of Sacramento

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 10.5 miles (16.9 km) northwest of downtown Sacramento, California. The airport covers 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) and is situated in Sacramento County. SMF is conveniently accessible via Interstate 5 at exit 528, with Interstate 80, CA-113, US Route 50, and CA-99 all within a 10-mile radius of the airport.

The airport's location makes it a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California. These include the Heavenly Mountain Resort, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Old Sacramento State Historic Park, California State Capitol, Wine Country, and many other destinations.

SMF has a rich history, opening on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airport was initially served by five airlines: Pacific, PSA, United, Western, and West Coast. Over the years, it has undergone several expansions and improvements, including the addition of new terminals, runways, and facilities.

SMF has also played a significant role in the region's transportation and connectivity. It serves the Sacramento Metropolitan Area and is run by the Sacramento County Airport System. The airport offers a range of ground transportation options, including public transportation, rental cars, and app-based ride-sharing services.

In addition to its functional purpose, SMF has also embraced art and innovation. The airport features various public art installations and was one of the first in the nation to offer free wireless Internet service (WiFi) to its customers in 2006.

SMF opened on 21 October 1967

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened on 21 October 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport.

The airport's opening was a significant event, as it was the first public-use airport west of the Mississippi that had been built entirely from scratch. The site for the airport, which covers 6,000 acres, was purchased north of downtown Sacramento. This location was initially considered extravagant, risky, and poorly located, but these concerns were unfounded. In its first year of operation, the airport served over one million passengers, exceeding initial estimates.

The airport was initially served by five airlines: Pacific, PSA, United, Western, and West Coast. The first runway was on the west side of the airfield and is now named 17R/35L.

The opening of the airport in 1967 also marked the relocation of the airport from its previous site, which was the current site of Sacramento Executive Airport, formerly known as Sacramento Municipal Airport. The airport code SMF was retained from the previous location, where it stood for Sacramento Metropolitan Field.

The airport covers 6,000 acres

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) covers 6,000 acres of land. The airport's vast expanse of land is located 10.5 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento, California. SMF serves as a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California, including the famous Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, and the historic Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

The airport's history dates back to 1957 when the proposed construction of what was then known as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport was considered extravagant and risky due to its distance from the city centre. Despite initial scepticism, the airport surpassed one million passengers during its first year of operation after opening in 1967.

Over the years, SMF has undergone significant growth and expansion. In the 1980s, several new facilities were added, including an in-flight catering facility and a second air cargo facility. The airport also witnessed an increase in airlines serving the region.

In 1998, the consolidated rental car facility and Terminal A opened, streamlining rental car operations and improving customer service. With the addition of Terminal A, the airport was renamed Sacramento International Airport, reflecting its growing capabilities.

Today, SMF continues to thrive and expand, serving 10.9 million passengers in 2017 and offering an extensive network of domestic and international flights. The airport's two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, provide a convenient and efficient travel experience for passengers travelling to and from Sacramento and the surrounding region.

SMF's vast acreage allows for the accommodation of various facilities and infrastructure necessary for a modern airport. The land encompasses two parallel runways, each over 8,500 feet in length, capable of handling a high volume of air traffic. The airport's size also enables efficient ground transportation access, with direct connections to Interstate 5 and nearby highways, ensuring smooth travel to and from the airport for both passengers and cargo.

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