Airports In La: A Comprehensive Guide To Locations

where are the airports in la

Los Angeles, the second-largest urban region in the United States, is served by five airports with commercial air service, which together served 114 million passengers in 2019. The region also hosts a major cargo airport, four military airfields, and two dozen general aviation airports. The primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area is Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX, located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Other major airports in the region include John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Ontario International Airport, and Long Beach Airport.

Characteristics Values
Number of airports in the Greater Los Angeles area 5 major airports and a few smaller ones
Primary international airport Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Location of LAX Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles
Distance of LAX from Downtown Los Angeles 18 miles
Number of terminals at LAX 9
Number of passengers served by LAX in 2024 32 million
Second-busiest airport in the region John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Location of John Wayne Airport Orange County
Number of passengers served by John Wayne Airport in 2019 10.7 million
Smallest of the primary airports in the area Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
Location of Hollywood Burbank Airport Burbank
Number of terminals at Hollywood Burbank Airport 2
Location of Ontario International Airport San Bernardino County city of Ontario
Number of passengers served by Ontario International Airport in 2019 5.6 million
Location of Long Beach Airport Long Beach
Number of passengers served by Long Beach Airport in 2019 3.6 million
Location of San Bernardino International Airport San Bernardino

shunhotel

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, LAX, is the primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area. Located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, it is 18 miles (30 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles and close to the Pacific Ocean. LAX is a major international gateway to the United States, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling internationally. It is the world's eighth-busiest airport, handling 75,050,875 passengers in 2023, and serving 76,587,980 passengers in 2024. LAX is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States and holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport. The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways. All of the terminals are being refurbished, with the Tom Bradley International Terminal being substantially rebuilt, and a West Gates satellite concourse added. The LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility, with 4,300 parking spaces, opened in 2021. A new LAX/Metro Transit Center station and a LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) are also being built, with the aim of enhancing the passenger experience, reducing overcrowding, and providing access to the latest class of large passenger aircraft. LAX is operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a branch of the Los Angeles city government, which also operates the Van Nuys Airport for general aviation.

shunhotel

Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

Hollywood Burbank Airport (IATA: BUR, ICAO: KBUR, FAA LID: BUR), located in Burbank, California, is one of the primary airports serving the Los Angeles area. It is the smallest of the main airports in the region and is the only airport with a direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles, accessible from Burbank Airport-North and Burbank Airport-South stations. The airport is situated about three miles (4.8 km) northwest of downtown Burbank and serves the northern Greater Los Angeles area, including Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley.

The history of the airport dates back to the late 1920s when United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (UA&T) sought a site for a new airport for its subsidiary, Pacific Air Transport (PAT). With the help of surveys conducted by the Aeronautics Department of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, they identified a 234-acre site in Burbank, which became operational in 1930 as United Airport. Over the years, the airport has had several name changes, including Union Air Terminal (1934-1940), Lockheed Air Terminal (1940-1967), Hollywood-Burbank Airport (1967-1978), Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport (1978-2003), and Bob Hope Airport (since 2003). In 2017, it was rebranded as Hollywood Burbank Airport to better reflect its geographic location.

Hollywood Burbank Airport features two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, housed within the same building. Terminal A has nine gates (A1-A9), while Terminal B has five gates (B1-B5). A new terminal facility, set to open in October 2026, will offer 14 gates across a single floor, replacing the current 94-year-old terminal building. The airport is easily accessible by road, with connections to Interstate 5, State Route 134, State Route 170, and U.S. Route 101.

The airport primarily handles domestic flights within the United States, with nonstop flights mainly serving cities in the western part of the country. However, Delta Air Lines operates regular routes to Atlanta. Several airlines have historically served the airport, including Continental Airlines, which offered flights to Portland, Seattle, Ontario, and Chicago, and Alaska Airlines, which provided direct services to Seattle and Portland using Boeing 727-100s and 727-200s. Aloha Airlines also operated a nonstop jet service from Burbank to Honolulu, Hawaii, before ceasing passenger operations.

shunhotel

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

John Wayne Airport is conveniently located for those travelling to Anaheim, being just 13-20 minutes away, and is the closest airport to Disneyland Resort, the beach, and the Anaheim Convention Centre. The airport is also near the interchange of I-405 (San Diego Freeway) and MacArthur Boulevard, providing easy access to SR 73 (Corona del Mar Freeway).

The airport has two runways. The main runway, 2L/20R, is 5,700 feet (1,700 m) in length, making it the shortest runway in the United States that handles regularly scheduled international flights. The second runway, 2R/20L, is 2,887 feet (880 m) long and serves general aviation aircraft. The airport offers flights to over 20 nonstop destinations in the US, Canada, and Mexico, with more than 250 arrivals and departures each day.

John Wayne Airport provides a range of amenities for travellers, including free high-speed Wi-Fi, USB charging stations, a nursing mother's lounge, art exhibits, retail shops, and over 20 dining options. The airport also features four adjacent parking structures, valet parking, and self-service ticketing kiosks for added convenience.

shunhotel

Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT, ICAO: KONT, FAA LID: ONT) is located in the city of Ontario, San Bernardino County, California, 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 parallel runways.

Ontario International Airport is a full-service airport, offering nonstop flights to nearly 30 destinations, including New York, Las Vegas, Mexico, and more. It is served by several major airlines, providing connections to some of the largest hubs in aviation. The airport offers convenient and stress-free travel options, with fast-moving security lanes and easy navigation within the terminal.

The airport is easily accessible via various transportation options. Route 380, also known as ONT Connect, provides non-stop daily service between the airport and Rancho Cucamonga station, where passengers can connect to Metrolink's San Bernardino Line. Route 61 operates daily, connecting Pomona–Downtown station, Ontario station, the airport, and Fontana station. Additionally, Route 81 operates Monday through Saturday on Haven Avenue, providing access to the airport from Chaffey College and Ontario–East station.

Ontario International Airport also offers a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience. Passengers can enjoy dining and shopping options and take advantage of disability services tailored to their comfort. With the ONT+ program, individuals without a boarding pass can still access these post-security amenities. The airport also provides convenient parking options to suit different needs, ensuring a seamless start to your journey.

Ontario International Airport has a significant role in cargo operations as well. It serves as the West Coast air and truck hub for UPS Airlines, handling 924,160 tons of cargo in 2020. Additionally, it is a major distribution point for FedEx Express.

shunhotel

Long Beach Airport (LGB)

Long Beach Airport has won awards for sustainability and modern updates to its design and architecture. It has also been recognised for its careful restoration and preservation of its history. The airport has a stylish and historic terminal, modern facilities, convenient parking, and local restaurants and vendors. Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked LGB as one of the top 10 small airports in the United States, and it was voted eighth nationwide in 2022. LGB was also rated the Best Airport for Dining in the 2016 10Best.com Readers Choice poll sponsored by USA Today. The airport has a LEED Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Long Beach Airport has achieved milestones in sustainability, including diverting 35 tons (70,000 pounds) of organic waste from landfills through its food scrap recycling program. It has also made significant progress in promoting the transition from leaded to unleaded aviation fuel for general aviation users, with aircraft operators purchasing more than 3,000 gallons of unleaded fuel through its SAFE program.

The airport has an aggressive noise abatement program, with three full-time noise specialists. Commercial flights have been restricted since 1981 due to noise complaints, with a limit of 15 daily flights initially. As of 2023, there are 41 daily permanent flights and 17 supplemental flights, for a total limit of 58 flights per day.

Long Beach Airport offers commercial service to more than two dozen nonstop destinations, with connections worldwide. It has undergone a major improvement program to expand and modernise its facilities, including a new ticketing building and seismic retrofit of the historic terminal.

Frequently asked questions

Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to by its airport code, LAX, is the primary international airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area. It is located in the Westchester neighbourhood of Los Angeles, 18 miles (30 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles.

There are five major airports in the Los Angeles area, including LAX. The other four are:

- John Wayne Airport (SNA)

- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)

- Ontario International Airport (ONT)

- Long Beach Airport (LGB)

Some of the smaller airports in the Los Angeles area include:

- San Bernardino International Airport (SBD)

- Whiteman Airport (WHP)

- Catalina Airport (AVX)

- Compton/Woodley Airport (CPM)

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment