Roberta Aguirre
Southwest Airlines has a large presence in California, with flights departing from 117 airports in 12 countries as of May 2025. The airline has scheduled flights to over 100 destinations across 42 states and 14 international destinations, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In California, Southwest Airlines operates in the Los Angeles metro area, with Los Angeles International Airport as its base. Secondary airports in Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana, and Ontario also have limited Southwest operations. Additionally, Southwest Airlines serves San Jose Mineta International Airport in the Bay Area, offering convenient connections to various destinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports in California with Southwest Airlines | Los Angeles International Airport, Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Ontario, San José Mineta International Airport |
| Car rental options | Available at Los Angeles area airports |
| Public transport options | Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA County Metro) operates buses, subways, and light rail lines |
| Ticket counter hours at San José Mineta International Airport | Daily: 4:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
| Baggage claim hours at San José Mineta International Airport | Sun: 7:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. |
| Mon: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. | |
| Tue: 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. | |
| Wed: 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. | |
| Thu: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. | |
| Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. | |
| Sat: 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. |
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What You'll Learn
Los Angeles International Airport
LAX covers 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) of land and has four parallel runways. It is the largest and busiest international airport on the West Coast of the United States and is a major gateway for the country. In 2023, it handled over 75 million passengers, making it the world's eleventh-busiest airport. The following year, it saw a 2.04% increase in passenger traffic, serving approximately 76.5 million passengers.
LAX holds the record for the world's busiest origin and destination airport, as most travellers begin or end their trips in Los Angeles rather than using it as a connection. It is the only airport ranking among the top five US airports for both passenger and cargo traffic. The airport serves as a hub, focus city, or operating base for numerous passenger airlines, including Southwest Airlines, which has a base there.
LAX has nine passenger terminals arranged in a U or horseshoe shape, with 161 gates in total. The terminals are currently being refurbished, and a new LAX/Metro Transit Center station and a Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility are under construction. These projects are expected to cost $30 billion and will increase the total gates to 182.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA County Metro) provides a range of public transit options to and from LAX, including buses, subways, and light rail lines. The LAX Shuttle route A buses allow passengers to move between all terminals on the landside of the airport.
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Burbank Airport
Hollywood Burbank Airport, also known as simply Burbank Airport, is located just three miles (4.8 km) northwest of downtown Burbank, in Los Angeles County, California. The airport is conveniently situated for those travelling to and from Burbank, Hollywood, North Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley.
Southwest Airlines offers flights to and from Burbank Airport, with fares starting at $39. Southwest provides a straightforward and stress-free experience, allowing travellers to easily explore Southern California and beyond. With Southwest, you can travel to various destinations across California, such as Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco. Additionally, Southwest offers flights to other states, including Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.
The history of Burbank Airport dates back to the late 1960s when jets first arrived. Over the years, various airlines have offered services from the airport, including Pacific Air Lines, Pacific Southwest Airlines, and Hughes Airwest. In 1970, Continental Airlines began operating nonstop flights to Portland and Seattle. Burbank Airport has also witnessed several notable incidents, including a fatal crash in 1962 and a near mid-air collision in 2023.
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Long Beach Airport
Today, Long Beach Airport is an award-winning travel hub, recognised for its modern facilities, convenient parking, local dining options, and stylish historic terminal. The airport has a unique, resort-style design, featuring an open-air garden with views of the airfield. It has also implemented various sustainability initiatives, including a food scrap recycling program, and promotes the use of unleaded aviation fuel.
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Oakland Airport
Oakland International Airport, also known by its IATA code OAK, ICAO code KOAK, and FAA LID OAK, is located in Oakland, California, United States. The airport is situated 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles (19 km) east of San Francisco, serving the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Oakland Airport is an operating base for Southwest Airlines, which operates point-to-point routes with bases instead of a traditional hub-and-spoke system. Southwest Airlines has scheduled flights to over 100 destinations across 42 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with an average of 80% of passengers being local.
During World War II, the U.S. Armed Forces temporarily took over the airport, converting it into an airlift base for military flights to the Pacific Islands. After the war, airlines gradually returned to Oakland, with Western Airlines commencing flights in 1946, followed by American Airlines, TWA, United, Transocean Air Lines, and Pacific Southwest Airlines. Oakland became a significant hub for non-scheduled and supplemental air carriers, with several large companies basing their operations there.
Today, Oakland International Airport offers domestic passenger flights to destinations across the United States and international flights to Mexico and El Salvador. The airport covers 2,600 acres of land and has a variety of concession offerings for passengers looking to eat, drink, or shop during their time in the airport. OAK enables excellent access to the region's business, entertainment, and tourism venues by roadway and BART air-rail.
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San Jose Mineta International Airport
Southwest Airlines is present in San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), which is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. The airport is officially known as the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, named after a former United States Secretary of Transportation and United States Secretary of Commerce, who also served as Mayor and Councilman of San Jose. It is situated 3.9 miles from downtown San Jose, California, and serves the city and the Santa Clara Valley region of the greater Bay Area.
As of November 2023, Southwest Airlines has scheduled flights to over 100 destinations across 42 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The airline operates over 4,000 flights each day, with an average of 80% of passengers being local and 20% connecting passengers. Southwest Airlines does not use the "hub and spoke" system but instead prefers the "point-to-point" system with focus cities.
The airport has undergone expansion plans to enhance its facilities. In November 2001, the San Jose City Council approved a three-phase, nine-year expansion plan that included a consolidated "Central Terminal" with 40 gates, an international concourse, and expanded security areas. The expansion aimed to accommodate up to 17.6 million passengers annually.
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Frequently asked questions
Southwest Airlines operates in several airports in California, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Ontario, Oakland, and San José Mineta International Airport (SJC).
Some popular tourist attractions near the Los Angeles airport include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the La Brea Tar Pits, the Griffith Observatory, and the RMS Queen Mary.
Yes, you can rent a car at Los Angeles area airports. You can also use public transportation, such as buses, subways, and light rail lines, operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA County Metro).
