San Diego International Airport

File:Spirit of St. Louis at San Diego Airport DSCN0022.JPG replica inside the airport]]

Prior to the development of the airport, the area was a delta river outlet for the San Diego River into San Diego Bay, which was then re routed to terminate to the Pacific Ocean parallel to Mission Bay.{{Cite web |title=Smythe, William E., "History of San Diego, 1542-1908", Part Seven, Chapter II |url=https://www.sandiegohistory.org/books/smythe/7-2.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401065156/https://www.sandiegohistory.org/books/smythe/7-2.htm |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2021}}

The airport is near the site of the Ryan Airlines factory, but it is not the same as Dutch Flats Airport, the Ryan airfield where Charles Lindbergh flight-tested the Spirit of St. Louis before his historic 1927 transatlantic flight. The site of Dutch Flats is on the other side of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, near the intersection of Midway and Barnett Avenues.{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2012 |title=Port of San Diego map |url=http://www.charleslindbergh.com/images2/RyanSanDiegoMap.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717034104/http://www.charleslindbergh.com/images2/RyanSanDiegoMap.jpg |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=July 18, 2012}}

Inspired by Lindbergh's flight and excited to have made his plane, the city of San Diego passed a bond issue in 1928 for the construction of a two-runway municipal airport. Lindbergh encouraged the building of the airport and agreed to lend his name to it.{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2012 |title=CharlesLindbergh.com |url=http://www.charleslindbergh.com/pdf/lindbergh_lore.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717034108/http://www.charleslindbergh.com/pdf/lindbergh_lore.pdf |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=July 18, 2012}} The new airport, dedicated on August 16, 1928, was San Diego Municipal Airport – Lindbergh Field, with 140 Navy and 82 Army planes involved in a flyover.

The airport was the first federally certified airfield to serve all aircraft types, including seaplanes.{{Cite book |last1=Katrina Pescador |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=whp_Vj4vCkYC&pg=PA35 |title=San Diego International Airport Lindbergh Field |last2=Alan Renga |last3=Pamela Gay |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |others=San Diego Air & Space Museum |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-7385-8908-4 |series=Images of Aviation |page=35 |lccn=2011936592 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116051351/https://books.google.com/books?id=whp_Vj4vCkYC&pg=PA35 |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |url-status=live}} The original terminal was on the northeast side of the field, on Pacific Highway.{{Cite report |url=https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/midway-pacific_hwy_cpu_peir_final.pdf |title=Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan Update |last=AECOM |date=May 2018 |publisher=City of San Diego |pages=2–13 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905223117/https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/midway-pacific_hwy_cpu_peir_final.pdf |archive-date=September 5, 2018 |url-status=live}} The airport was also a testing facility for several early US sailplane designs, notably those by William Hawley Bowlus (superintendent of construction on the Spirit of St. Louis) who also operated the Bowlus Glider School at Lindbergh Field from 1929 to 1930.{{Cite web |last=Michelson |first=Alan |date=205 |title=San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Municipal Airport Lindbergh Field, Bowlus, William Hawley, Glider School, San Diego, CA |url=http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/12469/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001805/http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/12469/ |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |website=Pacific Coast Architecture Database |publisher=University of Washington}} The airport was also the site of a national and world record for women's altitude established in 1930 by Ruth Alexander.{{Cite book |last1=Hannah S. Cohen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tllmDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 |title=Remarkable Women of San Diego: Pioneers, Visionaries and Innovators |last2=Gloria G. Harris |date=November 21, 2016 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing Incorporated |isbn=978-1-62585-726-2 |pages=56–58 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116051341/https://books.google.com/books?id=tllmDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1930 |title=Ruth Alexander Killed in San Diego Air Crash |work=Evening Tribune |location=San Diego |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/150-years/sd-me-150-years-september-18-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001923/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/150-years/sd-me-150-years-september-18-htmlstory.html |archive-date=February 24, 2019}} The airport was also the site of the first transcontinental glider tow by Capt. Frank Hawks departing Lindbergh Field on March 30, 1930, and ending in Van Cortland Park in New York City on April 6, 1930. On June 1, 1930, a regular San Diego–Los Angeles airmail route started. The airport gained international airport status in 1934. In April 1937, United States Coast Guard Air Base was commissioned next to the airfield.{{Cite web |last= |date=December 1999 |title=Coast Guard Activities San Diego |url=https://media.defense.gov/2017/Jul/04/2001772955/-1/-1/0/STATION_CG_ACTIVITIES_SAN_DIEGO.PDF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002143/https://media.defense.gov/2017/Jul/04/2001772955/-1/-1/0/STATION_CG_ACTIVITIES_SAN_DIEGO.PDF |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |publisher=Department of Defense}} The Coast Guard's fixed-wing aircraft used Lindbergh Field until the mid-1990s when their fixed-wing aircraft were assigned elsewhere.{{Cite news |last=Schnaifer |first=Jeff |date=August 26, 1995 |title=Sportswriter on Deep-Sea Outing Reported Missing |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-26-me-39061-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116051353/https://www.latimes.com/archives |archive-date=January 16, 2022}}
{{Cite book |last=Coast Guard Sector San Diego |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OGPTryyGRTwC&pg=PA8 |title=The Coast Guard in San Diego |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7385-8014-2 |page=8 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116051351/https://books.google.com/books?id=OGPTryyGRTwC&pg=PA8 |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}

A major defense contractor and contributor to World War II heavy bomber production, Consolidated Aircraft, later known as Convair, had their headquarters on the border of Lindbergh Field, and built many of their military aircraft there. Convair used the airport for test and delivery flights from 1935 to 1995.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2013 |title=San Diego Air and Space Museum |url=http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/consolidated_aircraft_exhibit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012042529/http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/consolidated_aircraft_exhibit/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013 |publisher=San Diego and Space Museum}}

The US Army Air Corps took over the field in 1942, improving it to handle the heavy bombers being manufactured in the region. Two camps were established at the airport during World War II and were named Camp Consair and Camp Sahara.{{Cite web |last= |date=March 25, 2016 |title=San Diego Municipal Airport |url=http://www.militarymuseum.org/SDMA.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328200949/http://www.militarymuseum.org/SDMA.html |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |access-date=March 26, 2016 |website=California Military Museum System |publisher=California Military Department |quote=Two cantonment areas, Camps Consair and Sahara, were constructed to house troops attending factory schools and other Army activities located at the airport.}} This transformation, including an {{convert|8750|ft|adj=on|abbr=on}} runway, made the airport "jet-ready" long before jet airliners came into service.{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2012 |title=Official site |url=http://www.san.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722012444/http://www.san.org/ |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=San.org}} The May 1952 C&GS chart shows an 8,700-ft runway 9 and a 4,500-ft runway 13.

Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) established its headquarters in San Diego and started service at Lindbergh Field in 1949. The April 1957 Official Airline Guide shows 42 departures per day: 14 American, 13 United, 6 Western, 6 Bonanza, and 3 PSA (5 PSA on Friday and Sunday). American had a nonstop flight to Dallas and one to El Paso; aside from that, nonstop flights did not reach beyond California and Arizona. The first scheduled flights using jets at Lindbergh Field were in September 1960: American Airlines Boeing 720s to Phoenix and United Airlines 720s to San Francisco. Nonstop flights to Chicago started in 1962 and to New York in 1967.

The airport was built and operated by the City of San Diego through the sale of municipal bonds to be repaid by airport users. In 1962 it was transferred to the San Diego Unified Port District by a state law. The original terminal was on the north side of the airport; the current Terminal 1 opened on the south side of the airport on March 5, 1967. Originally Terminal 1 was only 1 story tall and had no jet bridges, however between 1981 and 1983 Terminal 1 East was given a second floor and jet bridges, and the same was done with Terminal 1 West between 1989 and 1991. Terminal 2 also originally opened on July 11, 1979. These terminals were designed by Paderewski Dean & Associates.{{Cite web |date=July 23, 1908 |title=Paderewski, CJ – Modern San Diego Dot Com |url=http://www.modernsandiego.com/Paderewski.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516085114/http://www.modernsandiego.com/Paderewski.html |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=Modernsandiego.com}}

Western Airlines discontinued service to Mexico City in 1981, leaving the airport without any international flights.{{cite news | title=Lindbergh's 1st Working Customs Facility in 8 Years to Open Next Week | work=Los Angeles Times | date=1989-02-09 | author=Acuna, Armando | id={{ProQuest|280666269}}}}{{cite news | pages=Part II: pp. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/128273904/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/128274083/ 2] | no-pp=yes | title=Inaugural S.D.-London air service meets turbulence | work=Los Angeles Times | date=1988-05-06 | author=Sanchez, Raymond L.}} However, in June 1988, the airport's first transatlantic flight was opened, a British Airways flight to London's Gatwick Airport using Boeing 747s and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s. As San Diego airport's customs facility had not been used in seven years and was not up to the US Customs Service's latest security requirements, inbound travelers had to clear customs in Los Angeles, which made the journey cumbersome. After the Port District performed the necessary upgrades, San Diego Airport's customs facility reopened in 1989 - nevertheless, British Airways ended the route in November 1990.{{Cite news |last=Cramer, John D. |date=October 18, 1990 |title=British Airways to end San Diego flights |work=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89409864/the-los-angeles-times/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123031304/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89409864/the-los-angeles-times/ |archive-date=November 23, 2021}}

Between 1991 and 1993, the airport's second runway (Runway 13/31) was closed and retrofitted into taxiways D and F. This runway had been much smaller than the main runway (Runway 9/27) and was unable to be used by commercial jets.

In July 1996, the Commuter Terminal opened, a small standalone facility where all short-haul flights to Los Angeles boarded regardless of airline. Terminal 2 itself was expanded westward by {{convert|300000|sqft|m2|0}} on January 7, 1998. The expanded Terminal 2 and the Commuter Terminal were designed by Gensler and SGPA Architecture and Planning.{{Cite web |title=Lorraine Francis, AIA, LEED AP |url=http://www.cadizdesignstudio.com/team/lorraine-francis-aia-leed-ap |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008011814/http://www.cadizdesignstudio.com/team/lorraine-francis-aia-leed-ap |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=Cadiz Design Studio}}{{Cite web |title=Special Projects |url=http://www.sgpa.com/special-projects/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716050303/http://www.sgpa.com/special-projects/ |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=SGPA}}

In 2001, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) was created by California State Assembly Bill 93.{{Cite web |last=Wayne |title=California Assembly Bill 93 |url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0051-0100/ab_93_bill_20011014_chaptered.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218114949/http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0051-0100/ab_93_bill_20011014_chaptered.html |archive-date=February 18, 2012 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=Leginfo.ca.gov}} The SDCRAA assumed jurisdiction over the airport in December 2002. The Authority changed the airport's name from Lindbergh Field to San Diego International Airport in 2003, reportedly considering the new name "a better fit for a major commercial airport."{{Cite news |last=Kinsee Morlan |date=August 15, 2018 |title=The Airport Is Sticking by Charles Lindbergh |work=Voice of San Diego |url=https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/the-airport-is-sticking-by-charles-lindbergh/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003100958/https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/the-airport-is-sticking-by-charles-lindbergh/ |archive-date=October 3, 2018}}

File:San-diego-former-commuter-terminal.jpg

As far back as 1950, there have been proposals to relocate San Diego International Airport. In 1950, the city of San Diego acquired what is today Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport and much of the land surrounding it through eminent domain to build a replacement airport, but the Korean War brought with it a massive expansion in jet traffic to nearby Naval Air Station Miramar, which soon rendered a commercial service airport in the area impractical. The CAA refused to fund any major enhancements to SDIA through the 1950s, and at various times the city proposed NAS North Island, Mission Bay, and Brown Field as replacements. Cost, conflicts with the Navy, and potential interference with other air traffic stymied these plans.{{Cite web |title=City of the Dream, 1940-1970 |url=http://www.sandiegohistory.org/archives/books/citydream/ch8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028073839/http://www.sandiegohistory.org/archives/books/citydream/ch8/ |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2018}}

While in 1964 the FAA finally agreed to an expansion of SDIA, which led to the construction of today's Terminal 1, it was only allowed with the assurance of San Diego Mayor Charles Dail that it would be a temporary measure until a replacement airport could be found.{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=SDIA Airport Development Plan Project Historic Resources Study - July 2018a |url=http://san.org/Portals/0/Documents/Environmental/2018-Draft/DEIRA/Appendix_F_1_Historic_Resources_Study_July_2018a.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116051340/http://san.org/Portals/0/Documents/Environmental/2018-Draft/DEIRA/Appendix_F_1_Historic_Resources_Study_July_2018a.pdf |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2018}} From that time until 2006, various public agencies conducted studies on potential locations for a replacement airport. One revisited a study done in the 1980s by the City in 1994 when Naval Air Station Miramar closed and was then immediately transferred to the US Marine Corps as Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Another was by the City of San Diego in 1984 and another that started in 1996 and sat dormant with SANDAG until the airport authority was formed.

In 2001, the SDCRAA projected SAN would be constrained by congestion between 2015 and 2022;{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2005 |title=Airport Master Plan |url=http://san.org/authority/amp/aviation_activity_forecast_fact_sheet.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211125432/http://san.org/authority/amp/aviation_activity_forecast_fact_sheet.asp |archive-date=December 11, 2005 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |website=San Diego International Airport |publisher=San Diego County Regional Airport Authority}} the Great Recession, however, extended the forecast capacity limitations into the 2030s.{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2015 |title=Stuck on the Waterfront, the Airport's Sky Isn't Falling as Once Feared |url=https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/stuck-on-the-waterfront-the-airports-sky-isnt-falling-as-once-feared/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907182925/https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/stuck-on-the-waterfront-the-airports-sky-isnt-falling-as-once-feared/ |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |access-date=September 7, 2018 |publisher=The Voice of San Diego}} In June 2006, SDCRAA board members selected Marine Corps Air Station Miramar as its preferred site for a replacement airport, despite military objections the compromises this would require would severely interfere with the readiness and training of aviators stationed at the air station.[https://web.archive.org/web/20151017192402/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/metro/20060605-1329-bn05airport.html SDCRAA Endorses Miramar For New Airport Site, Despite Military Protest] (San Diego Tribune: June 5, 2006) On November 7, 2006, San Diego County residents rejected an advisory relocation ballot that included a joint use proposal measure over these and related concerns over the potential impact reducing the region's military value would have on the defense-focused San Diego economy.{{Cite web |title=Airport Measure Shot Down |url=http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2006/11/08/news/01miramar.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220145836/http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2006/11/08/news/01miramar.txt |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |publisher=Voiceofsandiego.org}} With the relocation proposals now defeated, San Diego Airport began looking to improve its existing facilities.

File:Terminal 2 Departures.jpg

The first of San Diego International Airport's expansions in the 21st century was "The Green Build," an expansion to Terminal 2 West that added 10 gates, a new security area, an expanded concession area ("Sunset Cove"), and a dual-level arrivals/departures roadway.{{Cite web |title=The Green Build at San Diego County Regional Airport Authority |url=http://www.san.org/sdcraa/airport_initiatives/green_build/Default.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612195141/http://san.org/sdcraa/airport_initiatives/green_build/Default.aspx |archive-date=June 12, 2010 |access-date=June 16, 2010}} It was completed on August 13, 2013, and cost US$900 million.{{Cite news |last=Hirsh |first=Lou |date=July 28, 2016 |title=Construction Starting on $127.8 Million Airport Parking Plaza |work=San Diego Business Journal |url=http://www.sdbj.com/news/2016/jul/27/construction-starting-80m-airport-parking-plaza/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729162220/http://sdbj.com/news/2016/jul/27/construction-starting-80m-airport-parking-plaza/ |archive-date=July 29, 2016}} In January 2016, the airport opened a new consolidated rental car facility on the airport's north side. The US$316 million, {{convert|2|e6sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility houses 14 rental car companies and is served by shuttle buses to and from the terminals.{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2016 |title=Airport Plans Jan. 20 Opening for New Rental Car Center By SDBJ Staff |work=San Diego Business Journal |url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Airport-Plans-Jan-20-Opening-for-New-Rental-Car-Center-365145051.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817153018/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Airport-Plans-Jan-20-Opening-for-New-Rental-Car-Center-365145051.html |archive-date=August 17, 2016}} A new three-story parking structure in front of Terminal 2 broke ground in July 2016 and completed in May 2018.{{Cite news |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |date=May 17, 2018 |title=San Diego airport adds more parking spaces |work=San Diego Union Tribune |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-airport-parking-20180516-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814040141/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-airport-parking-20180516-story.html |archive-date=August 14, 2018}}

File:Intarrivalsan.jpg

Due to the sharp rise of international travel at the airport, with traffic at international arrival gates 20, 21 and 22 increasing "from 50,000 passengers a year in 1990 to more than 400,000 a year in 2017,"{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Kerri |date=June 28, 2018 |title=International Arrivals facility to open at San Diego International Airport |url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/international-arrivals-facility-to-open-at-san-diego-international-airport/509-38221b92-8754-498b-8289-df47f45ed9a7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529021403/https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/international-arrivals-facility-to-open-at-san-diego-international-airport/509-38221b92-8754-498b-8289-df47f45ed9a7 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |website=CBS News 8}} a new immigration and customs facility at Terminal 2 West began construction in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Showley |first=Roger |date=May 16, 2017 |title=International travel speeds up $229M terminal customs expansion in San Diego |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sd-fi-airportcustoms-20170515-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020190851/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sd-fi-airportcustoms-20170515-story.html |archive-date=October 20, 2017 |access-date=October 20, 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Federal Inspection Station |url=http://www.san.org/Airport-Projects/FIS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043419/http://www.san.org/Airport-Projects/FIS |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=November 22, 2017 |website=www.san.org}} The new facility was partially built into the now-four year old Green Build, adding a new upper level and vertical cores to move passengers from existing Green Build gates (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51) to 55,000 square feet of new international arrivals facilities at the southwest corner of the terminal.{{Cite web |title=San Diego International Airport International Arrivals Facility|url=https://www.pcl.com/us/en/our-work/san-diego-international-airport-international-arrivals-facility|website=pcl.com}} The facility was completed in June 2018 and is almost five times the size of its predecessor. Currently, the airport provides non-stop flights to five countries: Japan, Germany, the UK, Mexico, Canada; and soon to expand to seven with the addition of the Netherlands and Panama.{{Cite web |title=Federal Inspection Station |url=https://www.san.org/Airport-Projects/FIS#:~:text=The%20International%20Arrivals%20facility%20at,area,%20and%20two%20public%20artworks. |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.san.org}}{{Cite web |last=Service • • |first=City News |date=2024-11-12 |title=Dutch Airline KLM adds nonstop flights from San Diego to Amsterdam |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/dutch-airline-klm-adds-nonstop-flights-from-san-diego-to-amsterdam/3674281/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Copa Airlines to Launch New Panama City-San Diego Service |url=https://aviationsourcenews.com/copa-airlines-to-launch-new-panama-city-san-diego-service/ |access-date=2025-03-21 | website=aviationsourcenews.com}}

In 2021, the airport began construction on a complete replacement of Terminal 1, as per the Airport Development Plan (ADP), a study by the airport that began in 2016.{{Cite web |title=San Diego International Airport > Airport Projects > Airport Development Plan |url=http://san.org/Airport-Projects/Airport-Development-Plan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223063122/http://san.org/Airport-Projects/Airport-Development-Plan |archive-date=December 23, 2016 |access-date=December 22, 2016 |website=san.org}}

The new Terminal 1's construction is split into two phases. The first phase consists of a new 19-gate standalone facility east of the original Terminal 1, as well as a new 7,500-space parking structure, a new dual-level arrivals/departures roadway to match Terminal 2's, a new entry road parallel to Harbor Drive, and an expanded aircraft taxiway A to pair with existing taxiway B.{{Cite web |title=At long last, construction begins on San Diego airport's $3.4B Terminal 1 overhaul |date=November 3, 2021 |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2021-11-02/at-long-last-construction-begins-on-san-diego-airports-3-4b-terminal-1-overhaul}}{{Cite web |title=$3B plan to replace San Diego airport's aging Terminal 1 reaches major milestone |date=January 9, 2020 |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/story/2020-01-09/3b-plan-to-replace-san-diego-airports-aging-terminal-1-clears-major-milestone}} This first phase is scheduled to open in 2025 with a budget of US$2.6 billion, and is 60% complete as of April 4, 2024.{{Cite web |title=New San Diego Airport Terminal 1 construction 60% complete and 'on time'|date=April 4, 2024|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/new-san-diego-airport-terminal-1-construction-60-complete-and-on-time/3480311/}} The second phase, planned to open in 2028, will demolish the original Terminal 1 and replace it with 11 additional gates for the new Terminal 1.{{Cite web |title=$2.7B T1 Project Will Transform SAN |work=San Diego Business Journal |date=March 6, 2023 |url=https://www.sdbj.com/special-report/2-7b-t1-project-will-transform-san/ |author1=d2p2 }} Space was also set aside west of the new parking structure for an unspecified rail transit station to connect the Airport to downtown San Diego, although neither constructing this station nor constructing tracks leading to it are the responsibility of the airport.{{Cite web |title=New T1 Fact Sheet |url=https://www.newt1.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SDIA-T1-Fact-Sheet_English_3-2023.pdf}}

2016's ADP also planned for a new airport operations center to replace the one located within the long-decommissioned and now-demolished Commuter Terminal. This was completed in December 2023.{{Cite web |title=SUNDT COMPLETES NEW AIRPORT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR SAN|date=December 6, 2023 |url=https://www.sundt.com/sundt-completes-new-airport-administration-building-for-san/}} A further westward expansion to Terminal 2 West was also called for in the ADP, which would increase the total number of gates at the airport to 61. While the airport may decide to move forward with this third phase at some point, it is not expected to be completed before 2035 at the earliest.{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2018 |title=What's in the San Diego International Airport's $3 billion redevelopment plan? |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-airport-eir-20180710-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913210502/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-airport-eir-20180710-story.html |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2018}}

File:T2san.jpg

San Diego International Airport has two terminals and 51 gates:

• Terminal 1 The historic terminal currently has 14 gates in use, the first phase of new T1 will open 19 of the planned 30 new gates in late summer 2025. By 2028, the new T1 will be finished with an additional 11 new gates.
• Terminal 2 has two concourses (East and West), 32 gates, and four lounges (Aspire Lounge, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club,{{Cite web |title=San Diego International Airport unveils new 10,000 square foot VIP lounge|date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-airport-vip-chase-sapphire-lounge/509-7f9f0a12-392e-47d5-930c-deb31100a6cf |access-date=December 6, 2024}} Delta Sky Club, United Club).

File:SAN airport diagram.svg

The airport has one runway, designated 09/27 for its magnetic headings of 095 degrees (106 True) and 275 degrees (286 True). The runway, built of asphalt and concrete, measures {{convert|9401|x|200|ft}}. Each end has a displaced threshold: on Runway 27, the first {{convert|1810|ft}} are displaced, while the first {{convert|1000|ft}} are displaced on Runway 9. The west end of the runway has an Engineered materials arrestor system, installed in 2006 and expanded in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)|url=https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/engineered-material-arresting-system-emas-0}}

Westerly winds predominate, so most takeoffs and landings use Runway 27. However, when in marine layer or Santa Ana wind conditions, the runway configuration reverses to Runway 9, usually causing delays. Delays are exacerbated by some heavier planes being unable to takeoff on Runway 9, necessitating these specific planes to wait at the end of Runway 27 for sometimes multiple hours until their opposite-direction takeoff can be fit in.

The approach to Runway 27 is unusually steep due to utility poles and buildings over {{convert|200|ft|abbr=on}} tall that are located within {{convert|2|miles}} of the east end of the runway. Nearby skyscrapers are no factor, but nevertheless the approach has gained notoriety among passengers for the unusual experience of flying relatively low and close to San Diego's densely populated downtown, and has drawn comparisons to Kansas City's Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport and Hong Kong's former Kai Tak Airport.{{Cite book |last=Moser |first=Robert Harlan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3gg9igtWkhUC |title=Past Imperfect: A Personal History of an Adventuresome Lifetime in and Around Medicine |date=2002 |publisher=iUniverse |isbn=0595263887 |page=242 |quote=Before the new monster island skyport (Chek Lap Kok) was created, Kai Tak was jammed into an unbelievably small area, seemingly in the midst of downtown Kowloon. (The approach and take off will always rank close to the top of "One's Greatest Air Travel Adventures." It reminded me of the old Kansas City and current San Diego flight paths, but even scarier; you zoomed in at penthouse level, eye-balling surrounding, not-too-tall office buildings.) |access-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116051341/https://books.google.com/books?id=3gg9igtWkhUC |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |url-status=live}} From the left side of the aircraft, the approach offers closeup views of skyscrapers, Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres), San Diego Bay, and the San Diego–Coronado Bridge, while Balboa Park, site of the 1915–1916 Panama–California Exposition, can be seen on the right. Contrary to local lore, the parking garage located {{convert|800|ft}} from the east of the end of the runway was built in the 1980s{{spaced ndash}}long after previous obstructions also on the east side of I-5 were built{{spaced ndash}}and does not affect the approach.

To appease the concerns of the airport's neighbors regarding noise and to head off any ensuing lawsuits, a curfew was implemented in 1979 whereby takeoffs are only allowed between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Outside these hours, they are subject to a large fine. However, law enforcement, emergency, fire or rescue aircraft, and medical flights can operate normally. Arrivals are permitted 24 hours per day.{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.san.org/sdcraa/airport_initiatives/noise/faqs.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113072730/http://www.san.org/sdcraa/airport_initiatives/noise/faqs.aspx |archive-date=November 13, 2009 |access-date=December 6, 2009 |website=san.org |publisher=The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority}} While several flights have scheduled departure times before 6:30 a.m., these are pushback times, and the first takeoff roll does not occur until 6:30 a.m.

The airport is on North Harbor Drive, which is accessible from Interstate 5 northbound via the Hawthorn Street exit and southbound via the Sassafras Street exit. Short-term parking is located in front of both terminals: Terminal 2 has covered parking plaza and an outdoor lot, while Terminal 1 only has an outdoor lot. Long term parking is on North Harbor Drive to the east of the terminals and is served by shuttle buses.{{Cite web |title=Parking |url=https://www.san.org/parking |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329043829/https://www.san.org/parking |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |access-date=March 29, 2020 |website=San Diego International Airport}}

Both terminals have designated areas for taxis and ride-share pickups.{{Cite web |title=To and From |url=https://www.san.org/to-from |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405202901/https://www.san.org/to-from |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |access-date=March 29, 2020 |website=San Diego International Airport}}

There are four public transportation options:{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2018 |title=Transit Brochure |url=http://www.san.org/Portals/0/Documents/ground-transportation/2018-08-15_SDIA-144_Transit_Brochure-FINAL.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120210828/http://www.san.org/Portals/0/Documents/ground-transportation/2018-08-15_SDIA-144_Transit_Brochure-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 22, 2021 |website=San Diego County Regional Airport Authority}}

• Metropolitan Transit System Route 992: operates between downtown San Diego, Terminal 1, Terminal 2 East, and Terminal 2 West. Route 992 operates from 5 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. with buses arriving every 15 minutes.{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2024 |title=Route 992 Timetable |url=https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/routes/pdf/992.pdf |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=San Diego Metropolitan Transit System}} Route 992 connects to several major transportation hubs in downtown San Diego:
• Santa Fe Depot served by Amtrak, Coaster, the Blue and Green lines of the San Diego Trolley, and Rapid buses
• City College station served by the Blue and Orange lines of the San Diego Trolley, and Rapid buses
• Metropolitan Transit System Route 923: operates between Ocean Beach and Downtown San Diego, stopping just outside the airport on North Harbor Drive from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. every 30 minutes on weekdays. Service does not operate on weekends.{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Route 923 Timetable |url=https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/routes/pdf/923.pdf |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=San Diego Metropolitan Transit System}}
• TERMINAL → TROLLEY shuttle: buses serving the rental car center make a stop at the corner of Admiral Boland Way and West Palm Street, one block (about {{Convert|900|feet|disp=sqbr}}) from Middletown station served by the Blue and Green lines of the San Diego Trolley.{{Cite web |title=Public Transportation |url=https://www.san.org/to-from/Public-Transportation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302213913/https://www.san.org/to-from/Public-Transportation |archive-date=March 2, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |website=San Diego International Airport}}
• San Diego Flyer shuttle: complimentary buses operate between the airport and Old Town Transit Center every 20 to 30 minutes. Pickup and drop-offs are timed to meet the first and last Trolley, Coasters, Amtrak trains, and MTS buses. Passengers can transfer via Old Town Transit Center to Amtrak, Coaster, along with Blue and Green lines trains of the San Diego Trolley.{{Cite web |title=San Diego Flyer |url=https://www.san.org/to-from/Public-Transportation#1178347-old-town-shuttle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302213913/https://www.san.org/to-from/Public-Transportation#1178347-old-town-shuttle |archive-date=March 2, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |website=San Diego International Airport}}

Extension of the San Diego Trolley to directly serve the airport terminals, has been proposed several times but has not yet come to fruition. A 2021 study has found that such an extension to the airport is feasible and could be completed within ten years.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21250539/san-diego-trolley-extension-to-the-airport-is-feasible-but-how-soon-can-it-be-built |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229050820/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21250539/san-diego-trolley-extension-to-the-airport-is-feasible-but-how-soon-can-it-be-built |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=www.masstransitmag.com|date=December 17, 2021 }}

Coast Guard Air Station San Diego is near the southeast corner of the airport. The installation originally supported seaplane operations during the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, when the station had HU-25 Guardian jets assigned.{{Cite book |last=Coast Guard Sector San Diego |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OGPTryyGRTwC |title=The Coast Guard in San Diego |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7385-8014-2 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116051343/https://books.google.com/books?id=OGPTryyGRTwC |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}

The {{convert|93000|sqft|adj=on}} Airline Support Building, which houses cargo operations and storage areas for aircraft provisions, and serves as a pick up and drop off point for live animals and large cargo, opened on July 20, 2021. Located on the south side of the airfield along North Harbor Drive, the building counts among its cargo tenants Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Lufthansa, Southwest, Sun Country, and United.{{Cite web |title=San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Celebrates Airline Support Building Completion |url=https://www.san.org/news/news-detail/san-diego-county-regional-airport-authority-celebrates-airline-support-building-completion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721003242/https://www.san.org/news/news-detail/san-diego-county-regional-airport-authority-celebrates-airline-support-building-completion |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2021}} The design-build project to construct the facility was awarded to SUNDT construction in 2018 for approximately $130 million.{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2018 |title=San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Partners With Sundt Again |work=Construction Company & General Contractor | Sundt |url=https://www.sundt.com/2018/08/24/you-can-be-my-wingman-san-diego-county-regional-airport-authority-partners-with-sundt-again/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722134615/https://www.sundt.com/2018/08/24/you-can-be-my-wingman-san-diego-county-regional-airport-authority-partners-with-sundt-again/ |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2021 |last1=Dixon |first1=Frances }}

Signature Aviation is the fixed-base operator (FBO) at San Diego International Airport.{{Cite web |title=San Diego International Airport > Travel Info |url=http://www.san.org/Travel-Info/Security-Regulationsecurity-Regulations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803080441/http://www.san.org/Travel-Info/Security-Regulations |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018 |website=www.san.org |language=en-US}} The FBO ramp is at the northeast end of the airfield.

Stormwater is captured on Terminal 2 Parking Plaza and used in the cooling towers that heat, ventilate and air condition the terminals and jet bridges.{{Cite web |last=Coakley |first=Amber |date=February 11, 2023 |title=San Diego airport captured stormwater for this repurpose |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/sustainable-san-diego/san-diego-airport-captured-stormwater-for-this-repurpose/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=FOX 5 San Diego |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Popular Flights from San Diego |url=https://www.allegiantair.com/en/flights-from-san-diego |website=Allegiant Air}}

A portion of the southeast infield at San Diego International Airport is set aside as a nesting site for the endangered California least tern. April through September is the least tern nesting season at SAN. Since 1970, this endangered migratory sea bird has found a suitable nesting site each year in the sand and gravel located in four oval areas between the runway and airplane taxiway. Approximately 135 nests were established there in 2007.{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Rob |date=August 31, 2007 |title=Wildlife Agency Gets Pushback in Downgrading Endangered Bird |work=Voice of San Diego |url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/08/30/news/01leasttern083107.txt |url-status=dead |access-date=June 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416073653/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/08/30/news/01leasttern083107.txt |archive-date=April 16, 2013}}

{{As of|2025|4}}, San Diego International Airport has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 76 domestic and 11 international destinations in 7 countries, operated by 23 airlines.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-16 |title=Flights from San Diego (SAN) |url=https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-san-diego-san |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=FlightConnections |language=en}}

{{Airport destination list | 3rdcoltitle=Refs

| Air Canada | Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver
Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau | {{Cite web |title=Air Canada Travel News Releases |url=https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html#/whereWeFly?icid=INT:INTR:where-we-fly:where-we-fly:051021::specialOfferTextdotcom%7Ccaen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503102801/https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html#/whereWeFly?icid=INT:INTR:where-we-fly:where-we-fly:051021::specialOfferTextdotcom%7Ccaen |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |access-date=July 8, 2021 |publisher=Air Canada}}{{Cite web |title=Flight Schedules |url=https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/book/routes-and-partners/flight-schedules.html#/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.aircanada.com |language=en-US}}

| Air Canada Express | Vancouver | {{Cite web |title=News Releases Air Canada Continues to Rebuild its Global Network with Service Resuming to Key Destinations Around The World |url=https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html#/whereWeFly?icid=INT:INTR:where-we-fly:where-we-fly:051021::specialOfferTextdotcom%7Ccaen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503102801/https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html#/whereWeFly?icid=INT:INTR:where-we-fly:where-we-fly:051021::specialOfferTextdotcom%7Ccaen |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |access-date=July 9, 2021 |website=www.aircanada.com}}

| Alaska Airlines | Atlanta, Austin, Boise, Boston, Chicago–O'Hare (begins October 4, 2025),{{cite web |title=Alaska Airlines Fall 2025 Network Adjustments |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250422-asfall25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=22 April 2025}} Denver (begins October 4, 2025), Eugene, Everett, Fresno, Honolulu (ends June 12, 2025),{{cite web |title=Alaska / Hawaiian NS25 US West Coast – Hawaii Network Changes – 20DEC24 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241221-ashans25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=21 December 2024}} Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, Medford (begins May 15, 2025),{{cite web |title=Alaska Airlines Further Network Expansion in May 2025 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250116-asmay25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=16 January 2025}} Monterey, Newark, New York–JFK, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor (begins August 20, 2025), Portland (OR), Puerto Vallarta, Redmond/Bend, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), San José del Cabo, San Luis Obispo, Santa Rosa, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Tampa, Washington–Dulles, Washington–National
Seasonal: Anchorage, Bozeman, Eagle/Vail, Fort Lauderdale, Glacier Park/Kalispell, Hayden/Steamboat Springs, Jackson Hole, Missoula, Reno/Tahoe | {{Cite web |title=Flight Timetable |url=https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/timetables.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202123138/https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/timetables.aspx |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| Allegiant Air | Provo
Seasonal: Bellingham, Des Moines, Medford |

| American Airlines | Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor | {{Cite web |title=Flight schedules and notifications |url=https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202010611/https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| Breeze Airways |Seasonal: Cincinnati, Jacksonville (FL), Norfolk, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham| {{cite web|url=https://www.flybreeze.com/shopping/en-us/|title=Explore Breeze Airways destinations|website=Breeze Airways|access-date=January 9, 2024}}

| British Airways | London–Heathrow | {{Cite web |title=Timetables |url=https://www.britishairways.com/travel/schedules/public/en_gb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083400/https://www.britishairways.com/travel/schedules/public/en_gb |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2018 |publisher=British Airways}}

| Copa Airlines | Panama City–Tocumen (begins June 25, 2025) | {{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-02-25 |title=Nonstop flights to Panama to begin from San Diego Airport this June |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/nonstop-flights-to-panama-to-begin-from-san-diego-airport-this-june/3763202/?amp=1 |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US}}

| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma | {{Cite web |title=FLIGHT SCHEDULES |url=https://www.delta.com/flightinfo/viewFlightSchedulesSetup.action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621123636/http://www.delta.com/flightinfo/viewFlightSchedulesSetup.action |archive-date=June 21, 2015 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| Delta Connection | Las Vegas, Los Angeles | {{Cite web |title=FLIGHT SCHEDULES |url=https://www.delta.com/flightinfo/viewFlightSchedulesSetup.action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621123636/http://www.delta.com/flightinfo/viewFlightSchedulesSetup.action |archive-date=June 21, 2015 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| Frontier Airlines |Austin (begins June 13, 2025),{{Cite web|title=Frontier Airlines Introducing three new routes through San Diego| access-date=March 25, 2025| url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/business/frontier-airlines-introducing-three-new-routes-through-san-diego/amp/| archive-date=March 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://fox5sandiego.com/|url-status=live |website=FOX 5 San Diego KUSI news}} Chicago–O'Hare (begins June 12, 2025),{{Cite web|title=Frontier Airlines Introducing three new routes through San Diego| access-date=March 25, 2025| url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/business/frontier-airlines-introducing-three-new-routes-through-san-diego/amp/| archive-date=March 25, 2025| archive-url=https://fox5sandiego.com/|url-status=live |website=FOX 5 San Diego KUSI news}} Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sacramento, Salt Lake City (begins June 13, 2025),{{Cite web|title=Frontier Airlines Introducing three new routes through San Diego| access-date=March 25, 2025| url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/business/frontier-airlines-introducing-three-new-routes-through-san-diego/amp/| archive-date=March 25, 2025| archive-url=https://fox5sandiego.com/|url-status=live |website=FOX 5 San Diego KUSI news}} San Francisco| {{Cite web |title=Frontier |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912053526/https://www.flyfrontier.com/ |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=March 17, 2018}}

| Hawaiian Airlines | Honolulu, Kahului (ends June 12, 2025) | {{Cite web |title=Destinations |url=https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/destinations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129192310/https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/destinations |archive-date=January 29, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| Japan Airlines | Tokyo–Narita | {{Cite web |title=Japan Airlines Timetables |url=http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/route/time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015202347/http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/route/time/ |archive-date=October 15, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| JetBlue | Boston, New York–JFK | {{Cite web |title=JetBlue Airlines Timetable |url=https://b6.innosked.com/(S(ke2am3wxgiegj0zs1pxotirq))/default.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713064749/http://b6.innosked.com/(S(52udsaj2thvywnmtihsndo55))/default.aspx |archive-date=July 13, 2013 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| KLM | Amsterdam (begins May 8, 2025) | {{cite web|title=KLM Adds New U.S. Route|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2024/11/12/klm-adds-new-u-s-route/| access-date=November 12, 2024}}

| Lufthansa | Munich | {{Cite web |title=Timetable - Lufthansa Canada |url=http://www.lufthansa.com/ca/en/Online-timetable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191434/http://www.lufthansa.com/ca/en/Online-timetable |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2018 |publisher=Lufthansa}}

| Porter Airlines | Toronto–Pearson | {{cite web|title=Porter Adds Two New Southern California Destinations |work=Financial Post |url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/porter-adds-two-new-southern-california-destinations| access-date=August 1, 2024}}

| Southwest Airlines | Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Boise, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, El Paso, Fresno (begins October 2, 2025),{{cite web |url= https://kmph.com/news/local/southwest-airlines-adding-daily-nonstop-fresno-san-diego-flights |title=Southwest Airlines Adding Daily Nonstop Fresno-San Diego Flights|website=Fox 26 News|date=February 6, 2025|access-date=February 6, 2025 }} Honolulu, Houston–Hobby, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), St. Louis, Tucson
Seasonal: Colorado Springs, Columbus–Glenn, Eugene (resumes December 19, 2025),{{Cite web |title=Southwest Is Adding or Bringing Back a Dozen Routes—See Where It Will Fly |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/southwest-airlines-nashville-chicago-california-11705957 |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Travel + Leisure |language=en}} Milwaukee, Omaha (resumes November 22, 2025),{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jake |date=2025-03-28 |title=Eppley Airfield adding new nonstop flight to warm weather destination |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-eppley-airfield-adds-new-nonstop-flight/64321963 |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=KETV |language=en}} Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), San José del Cabo, Tampa| {{Cite web |title=Check Flight Schedules |url=https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202053931/https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| Spirit Airlines |Detroit (resumes June 12, 2025),{{Cite web |last=Prestininzi |first=Jenna |title=Where can you fly with Spirit Airlines? New routes coming this spring for Michigan fliers |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/03/26/new-spirit-airlines-destinations-detroit-metro-michigan-flights/82671341007/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} Las Vegas, Oakland, San Jose (CA)|

| {{nowrap|Sun Country Airlines}} | Minneapolis/St. Paul | {{Cite web |title=Route Map & Flight Schedule |url=https://www.suncountry.com/Explore/Route-Map.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815090927/https://www.suncountry.com/Explore/Route-Map.html |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| United Airlines |Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, San Francisco, Washington–Dulles | {{Cite web |title=Timetable |url=https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128165254/https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| United Express | Los Angeles | {{Cite web |title=Timetable |url=https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128165254/https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

| WestJet | Calgary
Seasonal: Vancouver | {{Cite web |title=Flight schedules |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/flight-info/flight-schedules |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210131344/https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/flight-info/flight-schedules |archive-date=February 10, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

}}

{{Airport destination list

| Ameriflight | Imperial/El Centro

| DHL Aviation operated by 21 Air | El Paso, Cincinnati

| FedEx Express | Indianapolis, Memphis, Oakland, Ontario

| FedEx Feeder operated by IFL Group | Tijuana

| FedEx Feeder operated on behalf of West Air | Imperial/El Centro

| UPS Airlines | Louisville, Ontario

}}

{{Airport-Statistics|iata=SAN}}

Note: Obtained passenger data for 2011–present from air traffic reports; data does not match up with the Historical Passenger table from 2011-2018.

• On April 29, 1929, a Ford Trimotor operated by Maddux Air Lines collided in mid-air with a PW-9D shortly after taking off from Lindbergh Field. The aircraft collided over downtown San Diego, killing all five aboard the Trimotor and the USAAC pilot of PW-9D. According to eyewitness accounts, shortly before the collision the Air Corps pilot had been flying extremely close to the larger airliner in an impromptu show for viewers on the ground, when he misjudged the distance between the two aircraft and crashed into it.{{Cite web |title=Aviation Safety Network |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19290421-0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180457/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19290421-0 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=July 22, 2019}}
• On June 2, 1941, the first British Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II, AL503, on its acceptance flight for delivery from the Consolidated Aircraft Company plant in San Diego, crashed into San Diego Bay{{Cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=AL503 |url=http://www.rafb24.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2627:AL503&catid=20&Itemid=394 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224174015/http://www.rafb24.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2627:AL503&catid=20&Itemid=394 |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=RAF Liberator Squadrons}} when the flight controls froze, killing all five of the civilian crew: Consolidated Aircraft Company's chief test pilot William Wheatley, co-pilot Alan Austen, flight engineer Bruce Kilpatrick Craig, and two chief mechanics, Lewis McCannon and William Reiser. Craig had been commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army Reserve in 1935 following Infantry ROTC training at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. He had applied for a commission in the US Army Air Corps before his death; this was granted posthumously, with the rank of 2nd lieutenant. On August 25, 1941, the airfield in his hometown of Selma, Alabama was renamed Craig Field, later Craig Air Force Base.{{Cite web |title=The Memorialization of Lackland Streets |url=http://www.lackland.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070222-007.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315074109/http://www.lackland.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070222-007.pdf |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=December 8, 2019 |website=Lackland Air Force Base}} Investigation into the cause of the accident caused a two-month delay in deliveries, resulting in the Royal Air Force not receiving Liberator IIs until August 1941.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}
• On May 10, 1943, the first Consolidated XB-32 Dominator, 41–141, crashed on take-off at Lindbergh Field, likely from failure of the flaps. Although the bomber did not burn when it piled up at the end of the runway, Consolidated's senior test pilot Dick McMakin was killed. Six others on board were injured.Johnsen, Frederick A., "Dominator: Last and Unluckiest of the Hemisphere Bombers", Wings, Granada Hills, California, February 1974, Volume 4, Number 1, p. 10. This was one of only two twin-finned B-32s (41–142 was the other); all subsequent planes had a PB4Y-style single tail.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}
• On November 22, 1944, Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, BuNo 59544, on a pre-delivery test flight from Lindbergh Field, took off at 12:23 am, lost its left outer wing on climb-out, and crashed in a ravine in an undeveloped area of Loma Portal near the Naval Training Center, less than {{convert|2|mi|km}} from the runway. All six members of the Consolidated Vultee test crew were killed, including pilot Marvin R. Weller, co-pilot Conrad C. Cappe, flight engineers Frank D. Sands and Clifford P. Bengston, radio operator Robert B. Skala, and Consolidated Vultee field operations employee Ray Estes. A wing panel landed on a home at 3121 Kingsley Street in Loma Portal. The cause was found to be 98 missing bolts; the wing was only attached with four spar bolts. Four employees who either were responsible for installation, or were inspectors who signed off on the undone work, were fired two days later. A San Diego coroner's jury found Consolidated Vultee guilty of "gross negligence" by vote of 11–1 on January 5, 1945, and the Bureau of Aeronautics reduced its contract by one at a cost to firm of US$155,000. Consolidated Vultee paid out US$130,484 to the families of the six dead crew.Veronico, Nicholas A., " 'Failure at the Factory", Air Enthusiast, Stamford, Lincs, UK, Number 124, July–August 2006, pp.31–33.
• On April 5, 1945, the prototype Ryan XFR-1 Fireball, BuNo 48234, on a test flight over Lindbergh Field, lost skin between the front and rear spars of the right wing, interrupting airflow over the wing and causing it to break apart. Ryan test pilot Dean Lake bailed out as the airframe disintegrated. The wreckage struck a brand new Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, BuNo 59836, just accepted by the US Navy and preparing to depart for the modification center at Litchfield Park, Arizona. The bomber caught fire and the four man Navy crew was forced to evacuate the burning PB4Y, with aviation machinist J. H. Randall suffering first, second, and third degree burns and minor lacerations while the rest of the crew was uninjured.Veronico, Nicholas A., " 'Failure at the Factory", Air Enthusiast, Stamford, Lincs, UK, Number 124, July–August 2006, p. 33.
• On April 30, 1945, just before midnight, the first production Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, BuNo 59359, was being prepared on the ramp at Lindbergh Field for a flight to Naval Air Station Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A mechanic attempted to remove the left battery solenoid, located {{convert|14|in|cm}} below the cockpit floor, but did so without disconnecting the battery. A ratchet wrench accidentally punctured a hydraulic line {{convert|3|in|cm}} above the battery and the fluid ignited, setting the entire aircraft alight. The mechanic suffered severe burns. Only the number four (outer right) engine was deemed salvageable. The cause was an unqualified mechanic attempting a task that only a qualified electrician should perform.Veronico, Nicholas A., " 'Failure at the Factory", Air Enthusiast, Stamford, Lincs, UK, Number 124, July–August 2006, p. 35.
• On August 5, 1952, Convair B-36D-25-CF Peacemaker, 49-2661, returning from a pre-delivery test after being modified for the San-San project, suffered an uncontrollable engine fire in the right wing while attempting to land at Lindbergh Field. The #4 and #5 engines fell off the aircraft as the Convair test crew steered the crippled bomber towards the ocean. Seven of the eight crew on board bailed out, with Pilot David H. Franks heroically electing to stay with the aircraft to prevent it turning back towards the heavily populated coast,Associated Press, "Civilian Pilot Hailed as B-36 Crash Hero: Bomber Turned Away From Crowded Beach Area Before Explosion Near San Diego", Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1952. but flight engineer W.W. Hoffman drowned before he could be rescued. A USAF accident investigation was inconclusive, with a failure in the #5 engine's alternator, supercharger, fuel or exhaust systems suggested as possible causes."Report of Special Investigation of Major Aircraft Accident Involving B-36D, SN 49-2661, at San Diego Bay, San Diego, California, on 5 August 1952", Office of The Inspector General USAF, Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, California, September 19, 1952.
• On July 15, 1953, the prototype Convair XP5Y-1 Tradewind seaplane, BuNo 121455, on a test flight off Point Loma after taking off from the water next to Lindbergh Field, fractured an elevator torque tube rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. All nine on board bailed out safely and were rescued.{{Cite book |last=Macha |first=G. Pat |title=Historic Aircraft Wrecks of San Diego County |publisher=The History Press |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-46711-836-1 |page=133}}
• On November 4, 1954, an experimental Convair YF2Y Sea Dart seaplane, BuNo 135762, on a demonstration flight for Navy officials over San Diego Bay after taking off from the water next to Lindbergh Field, disintegrated in mid-air after its pilot inadvertently exceeded the airframe's structural limits. Convair test pilot Charles E. Richbourg was pulled from the water but did not survive.{{Cite book |last=Jackson |first=Robert |title=Combat Aircraft Prototypes Since 1945 |date=1986 |publisher=Arco/Prentice Hall Press |isbn=0-671-61953-5 |page=161}}
• On September 25, 1978, a Boeing 727-200 operating flight PSA Flight 182 on the Sacramento–Los Angeles–San Diego route collided in mid-air with a Cessna 172 while attempting to land at San Diego Airport. The two aircraft collided over San Diego's North Park neighborhood, killing all 135 people on Flight 182, the two people in the Cessna, and seven people on the ground. An NTSB accident investigation found the probable accident's cause was the PSA flight crew's failure to inform the tower they had lost sight of the Cessna, in contradiction to air traffic control instructions to "keep visual separation" from the smaller aircraft. Other factors named were errors on the part of ATC, including the use of pilot-maintained visual separation when ATC-monitored radar clearances were available, and an unexpected turn by the Cessna that put it directly in the path of the 727.{{Citation |title=Aircraft Accident Report 79-5 (AAR-79-5) |url=http://www.psa-history.org/museum/NTSBAAR7905.pdf |publication-date=April 20, 1979 |access-date=December 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729212007/http://psa-history.org/museum/NTSBAAR7905.pdf |url-status=dead |publication-place=National Transportation Safety Board, hosted by PSA history.org |archive-date=July 29, 2012}}
• On August 11, 2023, Southwest Airlines Flight 2493 and a Cessna Citation V business jet nearly collided, but this was avoided when the Cessna aborted its landing and passed over the Southwest plane waiting to depart by 100 feet. There were no injuries.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-faa-investigates-near-collision-between-southwest-plane-cessna-2023-08-12|title=Southwest Airlines and Cessna Citation involved in near collision at San Diego International Airport|website=reuters.com|date=August 13, 2023 |accessdate= September 15, 2023 |last1=Shepardson |first1=David }}

{{Portal|California|Aviation}}

• California World War II Army Airfields
• Tijuana International Airport

{{clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{Official website|http://www.san.org}}
• [http://www.san.org/airport/flights/timetables.asp Flight planner section of the airport's website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512234340/http://www.san.org/airport/flights/timetables.asp |date=May 12, 2009 }}
• [http://www.ambassablog.com/ The Ambassablog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105071359/http://ambassablog.com/ |date=November 5, 2010 }} – official Airport Authority employee blog
• [http://www.airliners.net/ Airliners.net] – search for San Diego under Photo Search and see the colorful past of San Diego airport through the years
• [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051003/ IMDB movie: Billy Wilder's The Spirit of St. Louis, starring James Stewart, 1957]
• {{FAA-diagram|00373}}
• {{FAA-procedures|SAN}}

{{US-airport|SAN}}

{{Public Transportation in Greater San Diego}}

{{Major US Airports}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Airports established in 1928

Category:Airports in San Diego

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in California

Category:USAAF Contract Flying School Airfields

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in North America

Category:Charles Lindbergh

Category:1928 establishments in California

Category:Proposed California High-Speed Rail stations