Jazmin Li
California is a large state with many cities, so it is fortunate that there are numerous international and domestic airports to choose from. The state is home to twenty-seven primary commercial airports, several of which offer international flights. The two major international airports in California are San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest airports in the world. Other primary airports in California include San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Sacramento Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of primary commercial airports | 27 |
| Cities with primary commercial airports | San Jose, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Palm Springs, Redding, Riverside, Sacramento, San Francisco, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Central San Francisco |
| Two major international airports | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) |
| Other international airports | San Diego International Airport (SAN), John Wayne Airport |
| Military airports | Yes |
| Private airports | Yes |
| Former airports | Conejo Valley Airport, Rancho Conejo Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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. The airport covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways. In 2023, LAX handled 75,050,875 passengers, making it the world's eleventh-busiest airport. The following year, in 2024, this number increased to 76,587,980 passengers, a 2.04% increase from the previous year. As the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States, LAX is a major international gateway for the country, serving as a connection point for passengers travelling internationally to and from East and Southeast Asia, Australasia, Mexico, and Central America.
LAX has 161 gates in nine passenger terminals arranged in the shape of a 'U' or a horseshoe. All of the terminals are being refurbished, and the Tom Bradley International Terminal was substantially rebuilt, with a West Gates satellite concourse added. Outside of the terminal area, the LAX West Intermodal Transportation Facility with 4,300 parking spaces opened in 2021, replacing the former Lot C. A new LAX/Metro Transit Center station and a LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) are also being built, with all new facilities to be connected to the terminal area by the LAX Automated People Mover. Altogether, these projects are expected to cost $30 billion and bring LAX's total gates from 146 to 182.
The South Airfield Complex at LAX tends to see more operations than the North Airfield Complex, as there are a larger number of passenger gates and air cargo operations areas on the south side of the airport grounds. In 2007, the southernmost runway (07R/25L) was moved 55 feet (17 m) south to accommodate a new central taxiway. There were plans to increase the separation between the runways in the North Airfield Complex by 260 feet (79 m) to allow for the construction of a central taxiway, but this faced opposition from residents living north of LAX. These plans were scrapped in 2016 in favour of lifting a gate cap at the airport and building a new park on the airport's north side.
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San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
California has twenty-seven primary commercial airports, with several offering international flights. The two major international airports in California are Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
SFO has a rich history, dating back to World War II when it was used as a Coast Guard base and Army Air Corps training and staging base. The base was called Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Mills Field and Coast Guard Air Station, San Francisco. In 1944, Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) moved its Pacific and Alaska seaplane operations to SFO after Treasure Island was expropriated for use as a military base. Pan Am began service from SFO after World War II with five weekly flights to Honolulu, one of which continued to Canton Island, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Auckland.
Over the years, various airlines have operated flights from SFO, including British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), Japan Airlines (JAL), Lufthansa, and Braniff International. SFO was also among the first airports in the United States to install moving walkways inside a terminal, with a 450-foot (140 m) set opening in Concourse B in 1964.
Today, SFO is served by reputable airlines such as Air Canada, Delta Airlines, US Airways, Continental Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. The airport offers world-class facilities, shopping, and dining options for travellers.
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San Diego International Airport (SAN)
California is a US state with twenty-seven primary commercial airports, including two major international airports: Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.
San Diego International Airport, also known as Lindbergh Field, is the primary international airport serving San Diego and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is located three miles (4.8 km; 2.6 nmi) northwest of downtown San Diego and is known as the busiest single-runway airport in the US. The airport is owned and operated by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, which assumed jurisdiction over the airport in December 2002. It is served by Southern California TRACON and handles more than 20 million passengers a year.
The airport's landing approach is close to the skyscrapers of downtown San Diego, and pilots sometimes find it challenging due to the relatively short usable landing area, steep descent angle over Bankers Hill, and shifting wind currents. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 currently undergoing construction to build a second floor and jet bridges. The airport is easily accessible via the San Diego Flyer, an electric shuttle-bus service that operates seven days a week between the airport and the Old Town Transit Center, connecting travellers to the San Diego Trolley, MTS bus lines, Coaster, and Amtrak trains.
The history of San Diego International Airport dates back to 1929 when it operated as the Bowlus Glider School. It gained international airport status in 1934 and has since undergone several expansions and improvements, including the addition of jet bridges and a second floor to Terminal 1 between 1981 and 1991. In 2006, there were proposals to relocate the airport to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, but these were defeated due to concerns over the impact on the region's military value. Despite the challenges of its location, San Diego International Airport continues to serve as a major gateway for travellers to the city, offering convenient access to downtown San Diego and its surrounding attractions.
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Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport
The airport is owned by the City of Hawthorne and is operated by Hawthorne Airport LLC under a 45-year ground lease agreement. Hawthorne Airport LLC also manages non-airfield operations at the Jet Center in Los Angeles, the airport's fixed-base operator (FBO). In addition to Jet Center Los Angeles, there is another aviation-related business on the airfield, Star Helicopters.
Jack Northrop Field is located in close proximity to the larger Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest airports in California. This proximity requires special consideration to avoid encroaching on LAX airspace. The airport offers 24-hour operation, private VIP facilities, easy freeway access, and a free shuttle to LAX. Its runway can accommodate aircraft weighing up to 60,000 pounds with dual wheel loading.
The airport is also home to an FAA-operated Air Traffic Control Tower, ensuring safe and efficient air traffic management in the region. Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport has a rich history, with individuals sharing their experiences working for aviation companies based at the airport in the 1970s. The airport continues to serve general aviation needs in the Hawthorne area, providing convenient access and services to pilots and passengers alike.
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Sacramento Airport
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is located in Sacramento, California. It is a gateway to various attractions in Northern and Central California, including Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Old Sacramento State Historic Park, and the California State Capitol. The airport first opened in 1967 as Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, with one 8600-foot runway. It was renamed Sacramento International Airport with the opening of the new Terminal A, but it did not receive international flights until 2002. Today, Sacramento International Airport offers a range of services and amenities for travellers, including dining, shopping, and public transportation options connecting to nearby cities. The airport is also home to a museum-worthy public art collection.
Sacramento International Airport is known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. In 2018, the airport commissioned a solar array rated at 7.9 MW, which is expected to supply around 30% of its electricity needs. Additionally, Sacramento International Airport has a systematic and structured approach to safety management and actively addresses noise and wildlife concerns. The airport has also recently secured funding for the construction of a new air traffic control tower, standing 192 feet tall and estimated to cost between $60 million and $80 million.
Sacramento International Airport has a diverse range of airlines operating from its terminals. Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Trans World Airlines were added to the list of carriers in the 1990s, contributing to the airport's growth. In the 2000s, the airport welcomed additional airlines, including Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Aloha Airlines. Sacramento International Airport has also witnessed mergers and expansions among airlines, such as the merger between America West and US Airways, and the introduction of nonstop flights to Guadalajara, Mexico, by Alaska Airlines.
The airport is easily accessible and offers various transportation options for travellers. It provides convenient parking options, including a free waiting lot for pick-ups. For those using ride-sharing apps like Lyft and Uber, the airport has simple and efficient procedures in place. Additionally, travellers can opt for taxis or shuttles, which offer more legroom and a comfortable journey to and from the airport. Sacramento International Airport also has a well-developed public transportation network, connecting passengers to nearby cities such as Sacramento, Davis, and Woodland.
Sacramento International Airport serves as a transportation gateway not only to California but also to the world. With its range of airlines and route network offerings, the airport provides connections to various destinations. Additionally, the airport's location near numerous tourist attractions makes it a convenient gateway to Northern California's world-class destinations. Sacramento International Airport is committed to enhancing the travel experience for its passengers, offering efficient services, convenient transportation options, and access to cultural experiences through its public art collection.
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Frequently asked questions
The two major international airports in California are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
There are 27 primary commercial airports in California, including San Diego International Airport (SAN), Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), Oakland Airport, Sacramento Airport, and Burbank Airport.
Conejo Valley Airport, also known as Janss Airport, was a former airport in Thousand Oaks, California. It opened in 1926 and was relocated in the early 1960s, becoming the Rancho Conejo Airport.
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