Jazmin Li
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento, California. The airport, which is always open, is served by 12 major carriers and offers convenient transportation options such as ride-sharing apps, taxis, shuttles, and public transportation. SMF has a rich history, having opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, and has since undergone significant growth and expansion, including the addition of new carriers, facilities, and terminals. The airport code SMF is seen in various sources, but the meaning behind the acronym remains unclear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sacramento International Airport |
| Location | Sacramento, California |
| Address | 6900 Airport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95837 |
| Date of Opening | October 21, 1967 |
| Former Names | Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, Sacramento Metropolitan Field |
| Previous Airports in the Region | Sacramento Municipal Airport (now Sacramento Executive Airport) |
| Distance from Downtown Sacramento | 12 miles |
| Number of Carriers | 12 |
| Number of Terminals | 2 (A and B) |
| Number of Gates | 32 (with plans to expand to 50) |
| Parking | Accepts cash, credit, and debit cards |
| Pet Relief Areas | Available at each terminal |
| Currency Exchange | Not available |
| Meeting Rooms | Not available to the public |
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What You'll Learn
SMF stands for Sacramento International Airport
The 1980s saw a period of growth and construction, with the addition of an in-flight catering facility, an FAA Flight Inspection Field Office, a second air cargo facility, and the east runway. The opening of the east runway was marked by the landing of a Concorde SST. During this time, several new airlines joined the original carriers at Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, including America West, Continental, Morris Air, and American Eagle.
In the 1990s, the consolidated rental car terminal and Terminal A opened. The consolidated rental car terminal was the first of its kind in the nation, housing all rental car companies in one building serviced by airport shuttles. This innovation improved bus operations, reduced congestion, enhanced air quality, and improved customer service. In 1998, Sacramento Metropolitan Airport was renamed Sacramento International Airport.
Despite the impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks on air travel, Sacramento International Airport continued to grow. Four new airlines were added: Continental (which returned in 2000), Frontier (2002), Mexicana (2002), Hawaiian (2002), and Aloha Airlines (2003). The arrival of Mexicana initiated international nonstop service and led to the completion of the International Arrivals Building to accommodate federal inspection services.
In 2018, Sacramento International Airport's solar array was commissioned, supplying around 30% of the airport's electricity needs. As of 2023, the airport is undergoing further expansion, with plans to add more gates to existing terminals or construct a new Terminal C. The airport is also constructing a new air traffic control tower, expected to be completed by 2026, and a pedestrian walkway connecting Terminal B to Concourse B.
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The airport opened in 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) opened on 21 October 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field and had one 8600-foot runway, which was situated on the west side. Prior to this date, all commercial flights in the Sacramento region were handled at the current site of Sacramento Executive Airport, formerly known as Sacramento Municipal Airport.
The original proposal for the construction of Sacramento Metropolitan Airport in 1957 was considered extravagant and risky, with concerns over its location and the size of the site. However, the airport soon proved to be a success, with the original estimate of 750,000 annual passengers quickly being outstripped. The airport was the first purpose-built public-use airport west of the Mississippi.
In the 1980s, a period of growth and construction saw the addition of an in-flight catering facility, an FAA Flight Inspection Field Office, a second air cargo facility, and an east runway. The opening of the east runway was marked by the landing of a Concorde SST. During this time, several new airlines joined the original five carriers, including America West, Continental, and American Eagle.
In the 1990s, the airport underwent further developments, including the opening of the consolidated rental car terminal and Terminal A. This innovation streamlined bus operations, reduced congestion, and improved air quality. The airport also received a new name, becoming Sacramento International Airport.
The new millennium brought further changes, particularly in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Despite the impact on air travel, Sacramento International Airport continued to grow, with four new airlines added by 2003. The airport has continued to expand and develop, with Southwest adding service to Honolulu and Kahului in 2019, and Air Canada expanding its service in 2023.
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SMF has plans to expand and add up to 18 new gates
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has plans to expand and add up to 18 new gates. The airport is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento and is the gateway to Northern California destinations and major cities across the US and the world. The airport currently has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, with 12 and 19 gates, respectively. With passenger numbers increasing, the airport has proposed a $1.3 million renovation plan that includes adding between six and eight new gates. The plan also includes a new Terminal B parking garage with 3,400 new parking spaces by 2027 and a potential expansion to over 5,000 spaces later.
The expansion plan, known as SMForward, is a five-year plan built on a 20-year master plan developed in 2020. It was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which decreased passenger demand. The long-term plan beyond the next five years includes the possibility of a third terminal, light rail transit from downtown Sacramento, and an expanded runway for larger aircraft. The exact number of new gates will depend on ongoing assessments of passenger activity and discussions with airlines.
The SMForward project also includes several other improvements. These include an improved, ADA-compliant walkway between Terminal B and Concourse B, an additional 5,500 parking spaces west of Terminal B, a new exit for better traffic flow, and a more efficient shuttle system. The construction of the pedestrian walkway connecting Terminal B to Concourse B began in mid-2024, and preparation for the new parking garage to the west of Terminal B has also started. The new parking garage will be built on the Terminal B Daily Parking Lot, which is currently closed to passengers.
The expansion of Sacramento International Airport is justified by the increasing passenger numbers. The airport projections show that the number of passengers could reach more than eight million by 2028. The original estimate of 750,000 annual passengers when the airport opened in 1967 has proven to be conservative. The growth of the airport and its route network offerings, especially in the 2010s, has been notable, with Southwest adding service to Honolulu and Kahului in 2019 and Air Canada expanding its service in 2023.
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The airport has a solar array that supplies 30% of its electricity
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento, California. The airport first opened in 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport. Since then, it has undergone several construction and growth phases, including the addition of an in-flight catering facility, a second air cargo facility, and the east runway, which was celebrated with the landing of a Concorde SST.
SMF has made significant strides in sustainability and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. The airport has a solar array that supplies 30% of its electricity, which was commissioned in January 2018. The solar facility is rated at 7.9 megawatts (MW) and covers 35 acres of land, with over 23,000 solar panels. This system offsets approximately one-third of the airport's annual electricity load and has environmental benefits, reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions by 289,000 metric tons. The project was developed and built by Borrego Solar Systems, a leading national designer and installer of commercial solar systems.
SMF's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its solar array. The airport has implemented initiatives such as LED lighting, which saves 1,400,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually, and the use of electric shuttle buses, with plans to convert the entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). Additionally, SMF has diverted over 925 tons of food waste from landfills since 2015, demonstrating further dedication to environmental leadership.
The airport serves over 10 million passengers annually and offers services from 12 major carriers. SMF has also experienced growth in its route network, with Southwest adding services to Honolulu and Kahului, and Air Canada expanding its year-round service to Toronto as of 2023.
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SMF is 12 miles from downtown Sacramento
SMF, or Sacramento International Airport, is located 12 miles from downtown Sacramento. The airport is a gateway to Northern California destinations and major cities across the United States and the world. It is always open, with service available from 12 major carriers.
SMF opened on October 21, 1967, as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, with one 8600-foot runway. The airfield itself was called Sacramento Metropolitan Field. Prior to this, all commercial airline flights through the Sacramento region were handled at the current site of Sacramento Executive Airport, formerly known as Sacramento Municipal Airport.
The 1980s brought a new era of construction and growth to SMF, with the addition of an in-flight catering facility, an FAA Flight Inspection Field Office, a second air cargo facility, and the east runway. The opening of the east runway was marked by the landing of a Concorde. During this time, several new airlines joined the original carriers at the airport, including America West, Continental, and American Eagle.
In the 1990s, the consolidated rental car terminal and Terminal A opened, streamlining bus operations and improving air quality and customer service. The airport was renamed Sacramento International Airport.
Despite the impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks on air travel, Sacramento International Airport continued to grow. Four new airlines were added: Continental, Frontier, Mexicana, Hawaiian, and Aloha Airlines. The arrival of Mexicana initiated international nonstop service and led to the completion of the International Arrivals Building.
SMF has continued to expand and improve, with recent additions including a solar array that will supply around 30% of the airport's electricity needs, and plans for up to 18 new gates and a new Terminal C. The airport is easily accessible from downtown Sacramento via public transportation, shuttle, taxi, or app-based ride-share services like Lyft and Uber.
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Frequently asked questions
SMF stands for Sacramento International Airport.
Sacramento International Airport opened on 21 October 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport.
Transport options to and from the airport include ride-share apps such as Lyft and Uber, taxis, shuttles, vans, and sedan services. There are also public transport options to Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, and beyond.
