Ruth Haines
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is a full-service airport located in Southern California, about 38 miles (61 km) east of downtown Los Angeles. With two runways, ONT is regularly California's most popular mid-sized airport, serving about 4.1 million passengers in 2014 and offering daily nonstop flights to major domestic and international destinations. The airport is known for its convenient location, efficient security lanes, and easy navigation, making it a preferred choice for travellers in the region.
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What You'll Learn
Location and ownership
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT, ICAO: KONT, FAA LID: ONT) is located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of downtown Ontario, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. 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 ha) and has two runways.
The airport is owned and operated under a joint-powers agreement with the city of Ontario and San Bernardino County.
In 1923, a landing field was established east of Central Avenue, on land leased from the Union Pacific Railroad. The airfield was named Latimer Field, after an orange-packing company next to the airstrip. The airport was built by one of the first flying clubs in Southern California, the Friends of Ontario Airport. In 1929, the city of Ontario purchased 30 acres (12 ha) in the southwest corner of the airport for $12,000. This purchase established the Ontario Municipal Airport. In 1941, the city bought an additional 470 acres (190 ha) surrounding the airport and approved the construction of new runways, which were completed by 1942.
In 1967, Ontario and Los Angeles entered into a joint-powers agreement, making Ontario International Airport part of the Los Angeles regional airports system. However, in 2010, ownership and control of the airport became an issue when the city of Ontario criticised LAWA's operation of the airport. Led by Ontario city council member Alan Wapner, local government officials campaigned to transfer control of the airport away from Los Angeles World Airports. In 2015, Los Angeles World Airports agreed to transfer ownership of Ontario Airport back to the city of Ontario.
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History
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT, ICAO: KONT, FAA LID: ONT) is located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of downtown Ontario, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. 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 ha) and has two runways.
The history of Ontario International Airport dates back to the early days of aviation in Southern California. In 1923, a landing field was established east of Central Avenue, about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the current airport site, on land leased from the Union Pacific Railroad. This landing field was used by one of the first flying clubs in the region, the Friends of Ontario Airport, who named it Latimer Field after an orange-packing company located next to the airstrip.
In 1929, the city of Ontario purchased 30 acres (12 ha) of land for $12,000 (equivalent to $220,000 in 2024), now in the southwest corner of the airport. This marked the establishment of the Ontario Municipal Airport. The city continued to invest in the airport's development, and in 1941, they bought an additional 470 acres (190 ha) surrounding the airport. With funds from the Works Progress Administration, new runways were constructed and completed by 1942. The original east-west runway was 6,200 feet (1,900 meters) long, while the northeast-southwest runway was 4,700 feet (1,400 meters) long, costing a total of $350,000 (equivalent to $6,740,000 in 2024).
During World War II, the airport played a significant role in military aviation. On February 27, 1942, an Army Air Corps plane made the first landing at the new airport. By 1943, it had become an Army Air Corps Lockheed P-38 Lightning training base and a North American P-51 Mustang operating base.
In the post-war years, the airport continued to grow and develop. In 1967, Ontario and Los Angeles entered into a joint-powers agreement, integrating Ontario International Airport into the Los Angeles regional airports system. The following year, in 1968, the airport welcomed its first scheduled jet flights. Several major airlines began operating from ONT, including Continental Airlines, Air California, Pacific Southwest Airlines, and Western Airlines.
In the 1980s, the airport continued to expand. In 1981, a second east-west runway, 26L/8R, was built, replacing the old NE-SW runway. This new runway allowed for larger aircraft, and ONT became an alternate landing site for large aircraft destined for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) due to its longer runway. In September 1986, Ontario International Airport hosted the Concorde supersonic airliner during a promotional round-the-world flight.
Ownership and control of the airport became a point of contention in late 2010. The city of Ontario, supported by the Southern California Association of Governments, criticised LAWA's operation of the airport. Led by Ontario city council member Alan Wapner, local government officials campaigned to transfer control of the airport to local authorities. After a period of legal disputes and negotiations, Los Angeles World Airports agreed to turn over ownership of Ontario Airport to the city of Ontario in 2015.
Today, Ontario International Airport is a full-service airport, offering commercial jet service to major U.S. cities and international destinations. It is regularly California's most popular mid-sized airport and is known for its convenient location, modern terminals, and efficient operations.
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Features and facilities
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT, ICAO: KONT, FAA LID: ONT) is located in Southern California, about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of downtown Ontario, in San Bernardino County. The airport covers 1,741 acres (705 ha) and has two parallel runways, with the longest runway (8L/26R) being longer than three of the four runways at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This makes ONT an alternate landing site for large aircraft destined for LAX.
Ontario International Airport offers a range of features and facilities for passengers and visitors. The airport has two passenger terminals with 35 gates, providing convenient access to aircraft. The terminals are designed with a ""twin terminal" approach, each spanning 265,000 square feet and featuring a vaulted, glass-enclosed lobby that creates an open and modern ambiance. The sky-lit space offers stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north of Ontario. The efficient layout of the terminals minimizes walking distances between parking lots, ticketing, baggage claim, and aircraft gates, enhancing the overall travel experience.
ONT provides a variety of dining and shopping options for travellers. Passengers can explore the wide selection of food venues and retail stores located throughout the terminals. The airport also offers disability services, ensuring comfortable and accessible travel for all. With the ONT+ program, individuals can access these post-security amenities without even needing a boarding pass.
The airport boasts shorter security wait times compared to other airports in Southern California, thanks to its fast-moving security lanes. ONT also offers real-time updates for arrivals and departures, as well as convenient parking options with various lots adjacent to the terminals, daily parking, and a cell phone waiting lot. Navigating the airport is made easy with helpful terminal maps available on the official website, along with flight status updates and travel booking options.
Ontario International Airport is a full-service airport, providing commercial jet service to major U.S. cities and through service to numerous international destinations. With about 10 commercial airlines operating at ONT, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Express, the airport handles approximately 120 flights daily to destinations within the United States and Mexico. ONT is regularly California's most popular mid-sized airport, known for its convenient location and efficient operations.
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Airlines and destinations
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT, ICAO: KONT, FAA LID: ONT) is located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of downtown Ontario, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is about 38 miles (61 km) east of downtown Los Angeles and 18 miles (29 km) west of downtown San Bernardino. The airport is owned and operated under a joint-powers agreement with the city of Ontario and San Bernardino County. It is considered a medium hub, handling about 120 flights daily to destinations within the United States and Mexico. There are about 10 commercial airlines that fly to and from ONT, including:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Express
As of September 2018, ONT has more than 64 daily departures and arrivals, with nearly 30 nonstop destinations from Southern California. The airport offers shorter security wait times compared to other airports in Southern California, and its "twin terminal" design shortens walking distances between parking lots and the terminals, as well as between aircraft gates and the ticketing and baggage claim areas.
Ontario International Airport has been California's most popular mid-sized airport, according to J.D. Power's North America Airport Satisfaction Study. The airport offers a variety of dining and shopping options, disability services, and easy navigation with terminal maps.
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Traffic and popularity
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT, ICAO: KONT, FAA LID: ONT) is a popular airport located in Southern California, about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of downtown Ontario, in San Bernardino County. The airport is conveniently situated 38 miles (61 km) east of downtown Los Angeles and 18 miles (29 km) west of downtown San Bernardino. With its proximity to these major cities, ONT serves as a popular gateway to Southern California for both business and leisure travellers.
The airport boasts two passenger terminals with 35 gates and two parallel runways. Each of the terminals spans 265,000 square feet and features a vaulted, glass-enclosed lobby, creating a modern and welcoming atmosphere. The efficient "twin terminal" design minimises walking distances for passengers between parking lots, ticketing areas, gates, and baggage claim. This layout contributes to the airport's reputation for shorter security wait times and faster curb-to-gate transitions compared to other airports in the region.
Ontario International Airport is well-connected, with about 10 commercial airlines offering flights to various destinations. These include major carriers such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Express. The airport handles a significant volume of traffic, with approximately 120 flights daily to destinations within the United States and Mexico. In 2014, the airport accommodated about 4.1 million passengers, and as of September 2018, ONT had more than 64 daily departures and arrivals.
Beyond its role as a passenger hub, Ontario International Airport is also a significant cargo hub. It serves as the West Coast air and truck hub for UPS Airlines and is a major distribution point for FedEx Express. The airport's lengthy runways, including the longest runway, runway 8L/26R, which is longer than three of the four runways at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), make it an alternate landing site for large aircraft destined for LAX. This capability further enhances the airport's importance in the region's aviation landscape.
Ontario International Airport has a rich history, dating back to the early days of aviation in Southern California. The airfield was initially named Latimer Field and was established in 1923, with the city of Ontario purchasing the land in 1929 for the development of Ontario Municipal Airport. The airport played a role during World War II, serving as an Army Air Corps training base. Over the decades, the airport expanded its services, introducing scheduled jet flights in 1968 and attracting various commercial airlines. The airport has continued to grow and improve its facilities, solidifying its position as a popular and convenient choice for travellers in Southern California.
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Frequently asked questions
ONT is the airport code for Ontario International Airport.
The airport is located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of downtown Ontario, in San Bernardino County, California, United States.
ONT has several parking options, including lots adjacent to the terminals, a daily parking lot, and a cell phone waiting lot.
ONT offers a variety of dining and shopping options for passengers to choose from.
ONT boasts shorter security wait times compared to other airports in Southern California, with fast-moving security lanes that can get you from curb to gate in minutes.
