Desert aviation gateway serving the Coachella Valley region.
Location
Thermal, United States
Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport is a public-use airport located in Thermal, California, in the Coachella Valley, approximately 25 miles southeast of Palm Springs. Despite its IATA city code associating it with Palm Springs, the airport is physically situated near the city of Thermal and serves the broader desert communities of Riverside County.
The airport is named after Jacqueline Cochran, a pioneering American aviator who set numerous speed and altitude records and was the first woman to break the sound barrier. It primarily serves general aviation traffic, charter operations, and occasional commercial service, functioning as a reliever airport for the Palm Springs area.
The facility features a long runway capable of accommodating large aircraft and has historically been used for agricultural aviation, skydiving, and motorsport-related air traffic given its proximity to the Thermal Club and nearby racing facilities.
Terminals
The airport has limited passenger terminal infrastructure, oriented primarily toward general aviation and charter operations rather than scheduled commercial airline service.
Getting to & from
Ground access to the airport is primarily by private vehicle or rental car, with no dedicated public transit link to Palm Springs or surrounding Coachella Valley cities.
Airlines here
No major commercial airlines maintain scheduled service at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, as it primarily supports general aviation and charter flights.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Jacqueline Cochran, the first woman to break the sound barrier.
- ›Located in Thermal, California, roughly 25 miles southeast of Palm Springs.
- ›Runway 17/35 stretches approximately 8,500 feet, accommodating large and heavy aircraft.
- ›The airport serves as a general aviation reliever for Palm Springs International Airport.
- ›It is frequently used for skydiving operations and aviation related to nearby motorsport venues.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
