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San Diego's sole commercial gateway, steps from downtown.
Opened
1928
Location
San Diego, United States
San Diego International Airport (IATA: SAN, ICAO: KSAN) is the primary commercial airport serving San Diego, California, and the broader Southern California border region. Located on San Diego Bay roughly three miles northwest of downtown, it is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world.
The airport handles tens of millions of passengers annually and serves as a key hub for domestic travel in the western United States, with growing international connections to Mexico, Canada, and Europe. Its proximity to downtown San Diego makes it exceptionally convenient for travelers, though it also imposes strict noise and height restrictions on surrounding neighborhoods.
San Diego International is operated by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and has undergone significant terminal modernization projects in recent years, including the ongoing Terminal 1 replacement program launched in the early 2020s.
Terminals
The airport currently operates two main terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) plus a Commuter Terminal, with a major new Terminal 1 replacement under construction as of the mid-2020s.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include the MTS Route 992 bus connecting the airport to downtown San Diego, taxis, rideshares, and rental cars, with no direct rail link to the terminal as of 2024.
Airlines here
Major carriers include Southwest Airlines (the largest operator by flights), United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and several international carriers including British Airways and Aeromexico.
Notable facts
- ›SAN operates on a single runway (09/27), making it one of the world's busiest airports with that configuration.
- ›The airport sits on land that was once used by Charles Lindbergh to depart on his 1927 transatlantic flight preparation activities, and the field was historically known as Lindbergh Field.
- ›Its location adjacent to downtown means aircraft fly at very low altitudes over densely populated neighborhoods on approach.
- ›A major Terminal 1 redevelopment project, estimated at over $3 billion, began construction in the early 2020s.
- ›The airport consistently ranks among the top 30 busiest airports in the United States by passenger volume.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
