Roberta Aguirre
John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA) is the only commercial airport in Orange County, California. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, and it is owned and operated by the county. John Wayne Airport is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, although its IATA airport code is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat. The airport is located approximately 35 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego.
What You'll Learn
John Wayne Airport (JWA)
JWA is accessible from the north by taking the 405 San Diego Freeway south and exiting at MacArthur Boulevard, and from the south by taking the 405 San Diego Freeway north and exiting at MacArthur Boulevard. The airport is also accessible from the east by taking the 55 Costa Mesa Freeway west and exiting at MacArthur Boulevard, and from the west by taking the 55 Costa Mesa Freeway east and exiting at MacArthur Boulevard.
JWA is owned and operated by the County of Orange and is named after the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died in 1979. The airport was originally named Orange County Airport but was renamed in honour of the actor. A statue of John Wayne was installed at the airline terminal in 1982.
JWA offers flights to more than 20 nonstop domestic and international destinations, including Canada and Mexico, and serves an average of 868,630 passengers each month. The airport has four adjacent parking structures, valet parking, and self-service ticketing kiosks. The Thomas F. Riley Terminal is named for the late county supervisor who lobbied for the airport's expansion in the 1980s and is divided into three terminal areas: Terminals A, B, and C. Each terminal has its own ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage claim areas. The airport also offers free high-speed Wi-Fi, USB charging stations, pet relief areas, a nursing mother's lounge, art exhibits, retail shops, and more than 20 dining options.
Amsterdam vs US Airports: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Owned by Orange County
John Wayne Airport, also known by its IATA code SNA, ICAO code KSNA, and FAA LID code SNA, is owned and operated by Orange County, California. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of the county and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. The IATA airport code, however, is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat.
The history of the airport began in 1923 when Eddie Martin signed a five-year lease with James Irvine to operate a flying school on land owned by the Irvine Company. In 1939, the County of Orange acquired the land through a land swap with the Irvine Company, and it has remained under the county's ownership and management since then.
Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and improvements. In 1964, the airport was rebuilt with two parallel runways, and in 1967, the Eddie Martin Terminal was constructed. The airport was originally named Orange County Airport but was renamed John Wayne Airport in 1979 to honour actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away that year. A statue of John Wayne was installed at the airline terminal in 1982.
The Thomas F. Riley Terminal, which opened in 1990, replaced the aging Eddie Martin Terminal. This new facility offered modern amenities and improved capacity for passengers and airlines. In 2011, additional terminal space was added, and existing terminals were upgraded as part of a $543 million expansion project, demonstrating the county's ongoing commitment to enhancing the airport's infrastructure.
John Wayne Airport is the sole commercial airport in Orange County and plays a vital role in serving the region's aviation needs, including general aviation and commercial flights. The airport offers international flights to Mexico and Canada and has been recognised for its exceptional guest experience, ranking #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Large Airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.
Miami Airport Delays: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
The only commercial airport in the county
John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA) is the only commercial airport in Orange County, California. It is located in an unincorporated area of the county, surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. The airport is named after the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died in 1979.
John Wayne Airport is a convenient gateway to Southern California and is the closest airport to Laguna Beach. It is located approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of Los Angeles and 90 miles (145 km) north of San Diego. The airport is easily accessible from major highways, including I-405 (San Diego Freeway) and SR 55 (Costa Mesa Freeway).
The airport offers a range of services and amenities to enhance the travel experience. The Thomas F. Riley Terminal, named after the late county supervisor who advocated for the airport's expansion, features Terminals A, B, and C, each with its own ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage claim areas. The airport provides free high-speed Wi-Fi, USB charging stations, pet relief areas, a nursing mother's lounge, art exhibits, retail shops, and over 20 dining options.
John Wayne Airport serves more than 20 nonstop domestic and international destinations, providing convenient access to world-class beaches, hiking spots, shopping, and theme parks in the area. It is the airport of choice for visitors seeking a seamless travel experience while exploring all that Orange County has to offer.
In addition to its role as a commercial airport, John Wayne Airport also has a significant general aviation presence, with approximately 450 general aviation aircraft based at the facility. The airport accommodates general aviation operations with two fixed-base operators, Clay Lacy Aviation and ACI Jet, offering various services and facilities for flight training, charter flights, and aircraft maintenance businesses.
Taliban's Airport Bombing: Who Did It and Why?
You may want to see also
20+ nonstop destinations
John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA) is located in Orange County, California, and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. The airport offers nonstop flights to over 20 destinations, including:
North America
John Wayne Airport offers nonstop flights to several destinations within the United States, including:
- Burbank
- Colorado Springs
- Denver
- Fresno
- Las Vegas
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- Phoenix
- Sacramento
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Santa Barbara
- Steamboat Springs
In addition to domestic routes, the airport also offers nonstop flights to international destinations in North America, such as:
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Vancouver, Canada
Future Destinations
As per the website, the airport is undergoing modernization and upgrades to its facilities. From February 13, 2025, there will be nonstop flights to Boise, Colorado Springs, and Eugene.
Cancun Airport: COVID Testing Availability and Accessibility
You may want to see also
Rated highest for customer satisfaction
John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA) is located in Orange County, California, and has been rated the highest for customer satisfaction among large airports in North America for two years in a row. The airport is named after the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach.
John Wayne Airport is the only commercial airport in Orange County and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa. The airport is easily accessible, with nearby interchanges to the I-405 (San Diego Freeway) and SR 55 (Costa Mesa Freeway).
The airport has been recognised for its exceptional guest experience, and its commitment to meeting the needs of today's savvy travellers. This includes providing conveniences such as valet parking, self-service ticketing kiosks, free high-speed Wi-Fi, USB charging stations, art exhibits, retail shops, and a variety of dining options.
The Thomas F. Riley Terminal, named after the late county supervisor who advocated for the airport's expansion, consists of Terminals A, B, and C. Each terminal has its own ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage claim areas. The terminals also offer unique features such as a nursing mother's lounge and pet relief areas.
John Wayne Airport offers non-stop flights to over 20 destinations across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with more than 250 daily arrivals and departures. The airport is a convenient gateway to Orange County and is just 20 minutes away from popular attractions like the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center.
The airport has also taken steps to modernise and upgrade its facilities, with recent improvements including the addition of Terminal C and the implementation of a $543 million expansion project.
John Wayne Airport's dedication to customer satisfaction is further demonstrated by its Fly Friendly awards program, which recognises general aviation jet operators for minimising impacts on the surrounding community.
TSA PreCheck: Is It Available at Greensboro Airport?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA).
John Wayne Airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, California, and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.
John Wayne Airport is approximately 13 miles from Anaheim, making it a convenient option for travellers heading to the city.
There are several transport options to get from John Wayne Airport to Anaheim, including rental cars, shuttles, taxis, limousines, and ride-app companies such as Uber, Lyft, and Wings.
