San Diego International Airport Guide
San Diego International Airport sits 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego, making it one of the most centrally located major airports in the United States. Originally named Lindbergh Field when it opened in 1928, it was renamed in 2003 to better reflect its role as a commercial hub. The airport handles over 25 million passengers annually from a single runway — the busiest single-runway airport in the country.
Alaska Airlines operates SAN as a hub, with Southwest Airlines as the largest carrier by passengers. The airport completed Phase 1 of a $2.6 billion Terminal 1 redevelopment in September 2025, bringing modern facilities and additional gates. International service connects San Diego to destinations in the UK, Netherlands, Japan, Canada, and Central America.
The airport's compact 663-acre footprint and tight approach corridor — requiring aircraft to descend steeply over downtown skyscrapers — make it operationally distinct among US airports of its size. Ground transport options include the Metropolitan Transit System's Route 992 bus, taxi, rideshare, and rental car services available on-site.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 40 listed options at San Diego International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for San Diego International Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 25M passengers (2024)1 runwayopened 1928
- Location
- 32.734, -117.190
- Operator
- San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
Terminals
2 terminalsSan Diego International Airport has 2 passenger terminals — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, handling both international and domestic flights for around 16 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 1Domestic
Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, Breeze Airways, Sun Country, Air Canada, WestJet
- Terminal 2Mixed
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Copa Airlines
Concourses Concourse East · Concourse West
Nearby cities
3 citiesSan Diego International Airport is closest to San Diego (5 km southeast), and also serves Chula Vista, Tijuana and other nearby areas. With 3 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- San Diego5 km southeast
- Chula Vista18 km south
- Tijuana36 km south
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for San Diego International Airport?
What are the airport codes for San Diego International Airport?
Where is San Diego International Airport located?
Where is San Diego International Airport located?
What services are available at San Diego International Airport?
What services are available at San Diego International Airport?
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