Ruth Haines
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in Texas is an extremely busy airport, ranking 44th in the United States for passenger traffic. It has a long history, dating back to 1941 when it was founded as San Antonio Municipal Airport. Since then, it has undergone numerous developments and expansions, including the addition of new terminals, parking garages, and improved access. The airport has experienced record-breaking numbers of passengers and has continued to expand its list of carriers and destinations. However, it has also faced challenges, such as firearm interceptions, drug-related incidents, and winter weather disruptions.
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What You'll Learn
San Antonio International Airport history
San Antonio International Airport (IATA: SAT, ICAO: KSAT, FAA LID: SAT) is an international airport in San Antonio, Texas, United States. It is located in Uptown Central San Antonio, about 8 miles (13 km) north of Downtown San Antonio. The airport has three runways and covers 2,305 acres (933 ha). Its elevation is 809 feet (247 m) above sea level. SAT averages 260 daily departures and arrivals at its 27 gates, serving 14 airlines flying non-stop to 45 destinations in the US and Mexico. The airport is the 44th busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic.
San Antonio International Airport was founded in 1941 when the City of San Antonio purchased 1,200 acres (490 ha) of undeveloped land north of the city limits (now part of the city's Uptown District) for a project called the "San Antonio Municipal Airport." However, due to World War II, the airport was not fully completed until after the war ended. The first airline to serve the airport was Braniff Airlines in 1943, followed by American Airlines in 1944. In 1944, the airport's name was changed to San Antonio International Airport.
After World War II, the Alamo Field portion of the airport was no longer required by the military and was handed over to the City of San Antonio for civil use. Terminal 2 was constructed between 1951 and 1953, along with the FAA control tower and a baggage claim area. In preparation for HemisFair '68, a new satellite concourse was built, featuring eight jet bridge gates and passenger waiting areas. In June 1971, Southwest Airlines, a new startup airline, chose the airport as one of its first three destinations, along with Dallas and Houston.
In 1975, the city adopted its first Airport Master Plan, which included plans for a new 1,300-space parking garage and a new 360,000-square-foot terminal (originally called Terminal 1 and now known as Terminal A). The new terminal, which opened in 1984, increased the airport's capacity from eight gates to 27. In 1986, a new 221-foot (67-meter) FAA air traffic control tower was constructed. In 1994, a second Airport Master Plan was developed to modernise the airport, including expanding parking, improving access, and enhancing the concession programme. Two new terminals were proposed to replace Terminal 2, increasing the total number of gates to 35.
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Airlines and destinations
As of January 2023, there are 12 airlines that operate out of San Antonio International Airport, offering flights to 44 destinations, including 39 year-round and five seasonal destinations. The airport serves as a focus city for Southwest Airlines, which offers the most flights out of all the airlines.
The airlines that operate from the airport include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and United Airlines, offering both domestic and international flights. Destinations served by these airlines include major cities across the United States, such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington D.C.
In addition to these, there are seasonal flights offered by Apple Vacations, providing charter flights to popular beach destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. These seasonal getaways include Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Punta Cana.
The airport also serves as a hub for cargo operations, with FedEx Express and UPS Airlines facilitating cargo flights to their respective hubs in Memphis and Louisville. These cargo flights provide vital infrastructure support for the region, enabling the efficient transportation of goods and contributing positively to the local economy.
Looking ahead, expansion plans and ongoing discussions with various airlines are in place to attract additional carriers and expand the range of destinations, with a particular focus on enhancing international connectivity for travellers in the San Antonio region.
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Terminals and parking
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in Texas has a total of 27 gates across its two terminals. Terminal A was formerly known as Terminal 1, while Terminal B was formerly Terminal 2, which was demolished in 2011. The airport averages 260 daily departures and arrivals, serving 14 airlines flying non-stop to 45 destinations in the US and Mexico.
The airport offers a range of parking options, including a short-term parking garage, a long-term parking garage, and economy lots. As of December 16, there were 1549 spaces available in the long-term parking garage, 138 in the short-term parking garage, 68 in the economy green lot, and 137 in the economy red lot. A special rate of $33 per day is offered for the short-term garage, and there is also a Cell Phone Waiting Lot located off-site, where customers can wait for their party to arrive.
In 1975, the city adopted its first Airport Master Plan, which included a new 1,300-space parking garage. This was followed by a second Airport Master Plan in 1994, which proposed a 3,000-space parking garage to be completed by 2007. The airport has continued to develop and expand over the years, with the most recent development being a 1.8 million square-foot consolidated rental car facility, completed in January 2018 and accessible from Terminal B.
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Firearm interceptions
San Antonio International Airport reported a slight decrease in firearm interceptions in 2024 compared to the previous year. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that the airport experienced a record-breaking number of passengers in 2025, with the previous year being its busiest year to date.
The interception of firearms at airports is a critical safety measure to ensure the security of passengers, staff, and the general public. Airports employ various security measures, including metal detectors, X-ray machines, and physical searches, to detect and confiscate prohibited items, including firearms and other weapons.
The TSA is responsible for screening passengers and baggage at airports across the United States, including San Antonio International Airport. They employ advanced technology and trained personnel to detect and intercept firearms and other prohibited items. Passengers attempting to bring firearms onto an aircraft or into secure airport areas may face legal consequences, including fines, arrest, and criminal charges.
The decrease in firearm interceptions at San Antonio International Airport in 2024 could be attributed to various factors, including increased security measures, improved passenger awareness of prohibited items, and effective law enforcement practices. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic may have also played a role, as travel restrictions and reduced passenger traffic could have contributed to a temporary decline in firearm interception rates.
It is important for passengers to be aware of and comply with airport security regulations, including those regarding the transportation of firearms. Properly declaring firearms and adhering to storage and transportation guidelines can help ensure the safety and security of all individuals at airports.
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Chick-fil-A controversy
San Antonio International Airport has been at the centre of a controversy involving the popular chicken restaurant Chick-fil-A. The controversy revolves around the decision of the city council to not offer a lease to Chick-fil-A at the airport. This decision was made despite reports claiming that the restaurant was being offered a lease.
The city's decision was based on Chick-fil-A's charitable giving policy, which had caused public controversy. The city offered to resolve the issue informally following Chick-fil-A’s publicly stated change-of-position on its charitable giving policy. However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's "false declaration of victory" following the FAA investigation, according to the city, "significantly jeopardizes the potential for a mutually beneficial and amicable resolution."
The controversy has led to legal action, with a lawsuit over Chick-fil-A's removal at the airport being dismissed by a state appeals court. Despite the city's insistence that the FAA has not ordered it to include Chick-fil-A at the airport, the controversy remains ongoing, with the placement of the restaurant at the airport contingent on its continued interest and approval by the city council.
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Frequently asked questions
San Antonio International Airport was founded in 1941 when the City of San Antonio purchased 1,200 acres of undeveloped land for a project called "San Antonio Municipal Airport". The first airline to serve the airport was Braniff Airlines in 1943, and the airport's name was changed to San Antonio International Airport in 1944. Terminal 2 was built between 1951 and 1953, and the airport has continued to expand and develop since then.
San Antonio International Airport serves 14 airlines flying non-stop to 45 destinations in the US and Mexico. Some of the airlines that operate at the airport include American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Aeromexico. The airport has also recently added JetBlue Airways to its list of carriers.
VIA Metropolitan Transit provides a weekday express bus service from the airport directly to Downtown San Antonio, as well as a park-and-ride facility in Stone Oak on Route 7. Route 5 provides local bus service and transfers to other routes at the North Star Transit Center. The airport is also easily accessible from Interstate 410 and U.S. 281, providing quick drives to Downtown and northern San Antonio.
San Antonio International Airport offers a Cell Phone Waiting Lot, where customers can park and wait for their party to arrive. The airport also has a consolidated rental car facility that can be reached via a sky bridge from the mezzanine level of Terminal B. Additionally, the airport has implemented a new program that allows families to reunite at airline gates.
