Roberta Aguirre
John Wayne Airport (JWA) is an international airport that serves Orange County, California, and the Greater Los Angeles area. Originally named Orange County Airport, it was renamed in 1979 in honour of actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. John Wayne Airport is the sole commercial airport in Orange County and has two runways.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John Wayne Airport (formerly Orange County Airport) |
| Location | Orange County, California |
| IATA Code | SNA |
| ICAO Code | KSNA |
| FAA LID | SNA |
| Surroundings | Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana |
| Year of renaming | 1979 |
| Reason for renaming | Honour actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach |
| Runway lengths | 5,700 feet (main runway), 2,887 feet (secondary runway) |
| Annual operations | More than 100,000 |
| Ranking | #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Large Airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study |
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What You'll Learn
John Wayne Airport, Orange County
The airport was originally named Orange County Airport, but on 20 June 1979, it was renamed in honour of actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away that year. A 9-foot bronze statue of "the Duke" was installed at the Thomas F. Riley Terminal on the Arrival Level in 1982. The airport is the sole commercial airport in Orange County and is ranked highly in customer satisfaction.
John Wayne Airport has two runways. The main runway, 2L/20R, is 5,700 feet in length and is the shortest runway in the United States that handles regularly scheduled international flights. The other runway, 2R/20L, is 2,887 feet long and serves general aviation aircraft. The airport offers a range of transportation options for travellers, including rental cars, shuttles, taxis, limousines, and ride-app services.
In June 2020, a request was made to change the airport's name due to comments John Wayne made in a 1971 interview, which were believed to support white supremacy. However, as of May 2025, the airport still bears the name John Wayne Airport, and it continues to be a popular gateway to Orange County and the surrounding areas.
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IATA code: SNA
John Wayne Airport, Orange County, uses "SNA" as its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code. The airport is located in Santa Ana, California, and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. The IATA code SNA is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat.
John Wayne Airport is the sole commercial airport in Orange County, California. The airport is an international commercial and general aviation airport, with general aviation operations outnumbering commercial operations. The airport has two runways, with the main runway being the shortest in the United States that handles regularly scheduled international flights.
The airport was originally named Orange County Airport but was renamed in 1979 in honour of actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away that year. A statue of John Wayne was installed at the Thomas F. Riley Terminal in 1982.
John Wayne Airport is a popular choice for travellers visiting Anaheim, California, as it is just 20 minutes away and offers convenient transportation options such as rental cars, shuttles, taxis, and ride-sharing services. The airport is highly ranked in customer satisfaction, reflecting its commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience.
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Location
John Wayne Airport (JWA), originally named Orange County Airport, is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, California. It is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. The IATA airport code, SNA, is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat, which is where the airport is located. The airport is just 13 miles from Anaheim, with Garden Grove, Irvine, and the rest of Orange County in close proximity.
John Wayne Airport is the only commercial airport in Orange County. It has two runways. The main runway, 2L/20R, is 5,700 feet (1,700 m) in length, and the second runway, 2R/20L, is 2,887 feet (880 m) long. The airport is accessible via the Main Street parking lot, with a free shuttle service to the Riley Terminal every 15 minutes. The airport is also served by rental cars, shuttles, taxis, limousines, and ride apps.
There is another airport called Orange County Airport in the heart of the Hudson Valley, New York. This airport is located just two minutes away from the village of Montgomery and 15 minutes west of the city of Middletown. It is a general aviation airport, ranking as the second busiest (un-towered) airport in the state of New York.
Additionally, there is an Orange County Airport in Virginia, a public-use, general aviation airport located three miles northeast of the Town of Orange on State Route 20.
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History of name changes
John Wayne Airport (JWA) in Orange County, California, has undergone a few name changes since its inception. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.
The airport was originally named Orange County Airport due to its location. The first airstrip in the area was constructed in 1923 when Eddie Martin signed a five-year lease with James Irvine to operate a flying school. Over time, the airport grew and expanded, becoming a significant aviation hub in the region.
On June 20, 1979, the Orange County Board of Supervisors made the decision to rename the airport after actor John Wayne, who lived in neighboring Newport Beach and passed away that year. The new name, John Wayne Airport, was chosen to honor the legacy of the famous actor and his connection to the area. A 9-foot bronze statue of John Wayne, nicknamed "the Duke", was commissioned and installed at the airline terminal in 1982, further cementing the airport's association with the actor.
In June 2020, there were calls to change the airport's name once again due to controversial comments made by John Wayne in a 1971 interview with Playboy, which were perceived as supportive of white supremacy. The controversy sparked discussions among Orange County officials and community members about the airport's naming rights and whether it aligned with their values. While there were requests to remove the airport's association with John Wayne, no official name change has been implemented as of 2025, and the airport continues to bear his name.
It is worth noting that there are other airports named Orange County Airport, located in different parts of the United States, such as in New York and Virginia. These airports serve their respective regions and are unrelated to John Wayne Airport in California.
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Transport options
John Wayne Airport (JWA), originally named Orange County Airport, is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, California. It is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, and its IATA airport code, SNA, is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat.
John Wayne Airport offers a range of transportation options for travellers. Here are some of the ways you can get to and from the airport:
Rental Cars
There are eight on-site rental car companies offering convenient services at the Terminal. Rental car counters are located on the Arrival Level, between Terminals A and B, across from the John Wayne statue. Additionally, several off-site rental car companies are licensed to pick up passengers from the Terminal and shuttle them to their off-site locations.
Shuttles
A free shuttle service is available from the Main Street parking lot to the Riley Terminal every 15 minutes.
Taxis, Limousines, and Ride Apps
Taxis, limousines, and ride-share options such as Uber, Lyft, and Wings are also available at the airport. Most of these transportation services pick up travellers in the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) on the Arrival (lower) Level between the A2 and B2 parking structures.
Public Transportation
While John Wayne Airport does not have a direct connection to public transportation, travellers can use the OC Bus Route 76 to access the airport indirectly. The bus stop is located on MacArthur Blvd, a short walk from the airport.
Parking
John Wayne Airport offers both on-site and off-site parking options for travellers. The on-site parking structure is located directly across from the Terminal and offers convenient access to the airport. Off-site parking is also available at the Main Street parking lot, with a free shuttle service to the Riley Terminal.
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Frequently asked questions
John Wayne Airport, also known as Santa Ana Airport.
The airport was renamed on 20 June 1979.
The airport was renamed in honour of actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died in 1979.
