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.