Owais Crawford
San Juan's main airport is the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), located in Isla Verde, Carolina, just a few minutes from San Juan. It is Puerto Rico's main airport hub, serving as the island's main point of entry and connection to the mainland United States. The airport is the busiest in the Caribbean, handling over 8 million passengers annually, with more than 20 airlines operating at the airport. It has been featured in films such as the 2007 action film Illegal Tender and has won awards such as the Medium Airport of the Year at the CAPA Global Aviation Awards for Excellence in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport |
| Location | Isla Verde, Carolina, Puerto Rico |
| Distance from San Juan | A few minutes/3 miles southeast |
| IATA Code | SJU |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Concourses | 5 |
| Number of Airlines | 20+ |
| Number of Passengers (2014) | 8.6 million |
| Number of Passengers (2024) | 13.2 million |
| Currency Exchange | Banco Popular de Puerto Rico branch between Terminals B and C |
| Car Rental Companies | 14 |
| Taxi Availability | Exiting through Terminals B and C |
| Taxi Station | Terminal A on the Arrivals Level |
| Bus Availability | Metropolitan Bus Authority buses in Terminals A and D at the Departure Level |
| Ridesharing Availability | Uber available at the designated area on the ground floor of Terminals A and B |
| Relief Area for Service Animals | Available 24 hours a day near boarding gate B-2 in Terminal B |
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What You'll Learn
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
The airport is named after Luis Muñoz Marín, a prominent figure in Puerto Rico's history and its first democratically-elected governor, serving from 1949 to 1965. The airport opened in 1955, replacing the previous main airport in Isla Grande, which could not accommodate the newer jet aircraft due to its short runway.
The airport provides a range of amenities and services for passengers, including tax-free shops and restaurants. It also has a Banco Popular de Puerto Rico branch for currency exchange and a storage facility for passengers arriving by cruise. Transportation options from the airport include rental cars, taxis, buses, and ridesharing services.
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Location and access
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is the main airport serving San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is located in Isla Verde, Carolina, just a few minutes from San Juan, in the district of Hato Rey, the island's financial district. The airport is accessible via the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge. Old San Juan can be reached via the Baldorioty de Castro Expressway (PR-26).
The airport is the busiest in the Caribbean in terms of passenger traffic, serving more than 8 million passengers annually. It is the island's main international gateway and its primary connection to the mainland United States. It also serves as a major hub for travel to other Caribbean islands.
For travellers arriving by cruise, the airport provides a storage facility for luggage, allowing passengers to explore the city of San Juan before returning to board their flights. The historic "walled city" of Old San Juan is a popular destination, featuring historic sites, culinary experiences, outdoor adventures, and beaches.
The airport has two runways and two terminals, all connected, with gates located on the second level. It offers a range of amenities, including tax-free shops and restaurants. Currency exchange services are available at a Banco Popular de Puerto Rico branch between Terminals B and C on the arrival level. Taxis are accessible through Terminals B and C, with the main station in Terminal A on the arrivals level. Rideshares like Uber can pick up passengers at designated areas on the ground floor of Terminals A and B. The Metropolitan Bus Authority buses are located in Terminals A and D at the departure level.
For those travelling with their own vehicles, the airport provides parking options. Additionally, there are around 14 car rental companies available on-site.
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Airlines and destinations
San Juan's main airport, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), is located in Isla Verde, Carolina, just a few minutes from San Juan. It is the biggest and busiest airport in the Caribbean, serving as Puerto Rico's main international gateway and its principal connection to the mainland United States. In 2024, the airport handled 13.2 million passengers, representing around 90% of Puerto Rico's total passenger volume. The airport has been awarded "Medium Airport of the Year" by the prestigious CAPA Global Aviation Awards for Excellence.
Over 20 airlines operate at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, with more than 30 offering services to domestic and international destinations. These include American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, which has designated the airport as a focus city. Frontier Airlines also has a crew base at the airport.
The airport serves as the Caribbean hub for Cape Air, Air Sunshine, and Silver Airways. In addition to these, a plethora of other airlines have served the airport in the past, including Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and many more.
Domestic flights connect San Juan with various local destinations, such as Culebra, Mayagüez, and Vieques. The airport is easily accessible from the San Juan district of Hato Rey via the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge, and Old San Juan can be reached via the Baldorioty de Castro Expressway (PR-26).
Passengers at the airport can enjoy a range of facilities, including tax-free shopping and restaurants. Additionally, the airport provides convenient transportation options, such as taxi services, ridesharing, and car rental, making it a convenient gateway to the beautiful beaches and attractions of Puerto Rico.
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Facilities and services
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is the main airport serving San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is located in Isla Verde, Carolina, just a few minutes from San Juan, and is the busiest airport in the Caribbean in terms of passenger traffic. In 2024, the airport handled 13.2 million passengers, representing around 90% of Puerto Rico's passenger volume.
The airport has one main terminal building with four concourses and a separate terminal with one concourse; however, all terminals are connected. The airport has two runways and two designated letter terminals. As of 2024, over 30 airlines operate at the airport, including major carriers like American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, which has the largest presence with 51 daily flights on average.
For transportation, the airport offers a range of options, including taxi services with taxi dispatchers advising on trip costs, ridesharing services like Uber, and bus services provided by the Metropolitan Bus Authority. Additionally, there are around 14 car rental companies available for travellers wishing to explore the island independently.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport also provides a currency exchange service through the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico branch located between Terminals B and C on the arrival level. A storage facility is available for passengers arriving by cruise and wishing to explore San Juan before their departing flight. The airport also has a designated relief area for passengers' service animals, accessible 24 hours a day near boarding gate B-2 in Terminal B.
Passengers can enjoy a variety of tax-free shopping and dining options while waiting for their flights.
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History and accidents
San Juan Airport, also known as Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), is the main airport in Puerto Rico, serving San Juan. It is located in Carolina, about three miles southeast of downtown San Juan. The airport is the busiest in the Caribbean by passenger traffic and is the main gateway to the region.
History
The airport has been operational since 1929, originally as San Juan International Airport, in Isla Grande. However, as aircraft advanced from propeller planes to jets, the runway at Isla Grande Airport could no longer accommodate the newer aircraft. As a result, in 1945, the island government decided to build a new international airport to handle the growing air traffic and the newer aircraft.
Over the years, the airport has been served by several airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and many others. JetBlue is the largest carrier at San Juan Airport, with 51 daily flights on average. The airport also serves as the Caribbean hub for Cape Air, Air Sunshine, and Silver Airways.
In 2021, the airport underwent renovations to prepare for the 2021 Miss World Pageant, which was held in San Juan in March 2022.
Accidents
On December 31, 1972, a DC-7 plane carrying baseball star Roberto Clemente and his companions crashed shortly after taking off from Isla Verde. The plane was on a relief flight bound for Nicaragua, but neither the bodies of the victims (except for the pilot's) nor the plane's wreckage was ever found.
On September 26, 1978, an Air Caribbean Beechcraft D185 passenger plane crashed into Barrio Obrero while landing from Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla. All six people on board were killed, and several people on the ground were injured as the plane fell on top of a bar. The accident was primarily caused by wake turbulence from an Eastern Airlines L-1011 that was also landing.
In a fictional account, on December 22, 2029, a runway disaster occurred at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. An ABX Air Flight 3495 freighter plane collided with a Vista South Atlantic Flight 1219 passenger plane during inclement weather conditions. The air traffic controller had cleared both flights for the same runway, and the ABX Air pilots, experiencing fatigue and poor visibility, failed to see the other plane on the runway.
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Frequently asked questions
San Juan's main airport is Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU).
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is located in Isla Verde, Carolina, just a few minutes from San Juan.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport has one main terminal building with four concourses and a separate terminal with one concourse.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is the busiest airport in the Caribbean, serving over 8 million passengers annually. In 2014, the airport saw 8.6 million passengers, and in 2024, it handled 13.2 million passengers.
Over 20 airlines operate at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, including JetBlue, which has the most daily flights, and Frontier Airlines, which established a base in San Juan in 2024.
