California is home to some of the busiest airports in the United States, serving as major hubs for both domestic and international travel. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the second busiest in the U.S., handled over 88 million passengers in 2019. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a key gateway to Asia and Europe, with over 57 million passengers annually. Other major airports include San Diego International Airport (SAN) and San Jose International Airport (SJC), both critical to California's extensive air travel network. These airports are essential to the state’s economy, facilitating tourism, business travel, and global trade.
Explore map of California Airports showing exact location and name of all the major airports in California.
Major Airports in California
California is home to several major airports that are vital to the state's economy, connecting millions of passengers annually to destinations across the globe. These airports not only serve as key transportation hubs but also drive significant economic activity, support tourism, and facilitate global trade. Below are some of the most important airports in California, each playing a unique role in the state's transportation network.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport, commonly known as LAX, is the busiest airport in California and the second busiest in the United States. In 2019, LAX handled over 88 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. LAX serves as a major gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, with flights to over 100 international destinations. The airport is a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. LAX is also a critical cargo hub, handling over 2 million tons of air cargo annually, making it a key player in global trade. The airport has been undergoing significant modernization efforts, with a multi-billion-dollar investment aimed at improving passenger experience and expanding capacity.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is another major airport in California, serving over 57 million passengers annually. SFO is a primary gateway to Asia and Europe, with non-stop flights to destinations such as Tokyo, London, and Paris. The airport is a hub for United Airlines and is known for its extensive international network. SFO also plays a significant role in the region's economy, supporting over 40,000 jobs and contributing billions of dollars in economic activity. The airport has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, being the first airport in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification for its terminal buildings.
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN), located just a few miles from downtown San Diego, is the busiest single-runway airport in the United States. In 2019, SAN handled over 25 million passengers. The airport is known for its ease of access, with convenient connections to the city’s public transportation system. SAN serves as a major hub for Southwest Airlines and offers non-stop flights to destinations across North America and Europe. The airport has recently undergone significant expansion, including the addition of new gates and upgraded facilities to accommodate the growing number of passengers. San Diego International is also a leader in environmental initiatives, including a comprehensive waste management program and efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
San Jose International Airport (SJC)
San Jose International Airport (SJC) serves as the primary airport for Silicon Valley, one of the world’s leading technology hubs. SJC handled over 15 million passengers in 2019, connecting the region to major cities across the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. The airport is a key transportation hub for tech industry professionals and businesses, facilitating travel to and from Silicon Valley. SJC has undergone extensive modernization in recent years, with investments in new terminals, upgraded technology, and expanded service offerings. The airport is also recognized for its commitment to innovation and sustainability, including the use of renewable energy sources and advanced security technologies.
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is a key airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving over 13 million passengers annually. OAK is known for its convenient location, providing an alternative to the busier SFO airport. The airport offers a mix of domestic and international flights, with significant service to destinations in Mexico and Hawaii. OAK is a major hub for Southwest Airlines and has been expanding its service offerings in recent years. The airport also plays a crucial role in cargo operations, handling over 1 million tons of freight annually, making it one of the top cargo airports in California.
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in Orange County, is a key airport serving the Greater Los Angeles area. SNA handled over 10 million passengers in 2019, providing convenient access to Southern California’s beaches, businesses, and attractions. The airport offers a wide range of domestic flights, with connections to major cities across the United States. SNA is known for its user-friendly design, efficient operations, and proximity to popular tourist destinations like Disneyland and Newport Beach. The airport has been recognized for its high level of customer satisfaction and its commitment to providing a positive travel experience.
List of Primary Airports in California
S.N.
Airport Name
FAA
ICAO
IATA
City Served
Role
Enplanements (2021)
1
California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport
ACV
KACV
ACV
Arcata/Eureka
P-N
117,972
2
Meadows Field
BFL
KBFL
BFL
Bakersfield
P-N
174,891
3
Hollywood Burbank Airport
BUR
KBUR
BUR
Burbank
P-M
3,132,019
4
Fresno Yosemite International Airport
FAT
KFAT
FAT
Fresno
P-S
1,201,789
5
Long Beach Airport (Daugherty Field)
LGB
KLGB
LGB
Long Beach
P-S
1,837,622
6
Los Angeles International Airport
LAX
KLAX
LAX
Los Angeles
P-L
36,676,975
7
Monterey Regional Airport
MRY
KMRY
MRY
Monterey
P-N
259,762
8
San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport
OAK
KOAK
OAK
Oakland
P-M
5,520,778
9
Ontario International Airport
ONT
KONT
ONT
Ontario
P-M
3,181,161
10
John Wayne Airport
SNA
KSNA
SNA
Santa Ana
P-M
5,706,292
11
Palm Springs International Airport
PSP
KPSP
PSP
Palm Springs
P-S
1,625,320
12
Redding Regional Airport
RDD
KRDD
RDD
Redding
P-N
87,670
13
Sacramento International Airport
SMF
KSMF
SMF
Sacramento
P-M
6,371,895
14
San Diego International Airport
SAN
KSAN
SAN
San Diego
P-L
12,190,159
15
San Francisco International Airport
SFO
KSFO
SFO
San Francisco
P-L
24,191,117
16
San Jose International Airport
SJC
KSJC
SJC
San Jose
P-M
5,958,813
17
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (McChesney Field)
SBP
KSBP
SBP
San Luis Obispo
P-N
324,925
18
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (Santa Barbara Airport)
SBA
KSBA
SBA
Santa Barbara
P-S
638,799
19
Santa Maria Public Airport (Capt G. Allan Hancock Field)
