San Diego International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: California |
| San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field) |
|
| Location | San Diego, California |
| IATA code | SAN |
| ICAO code | KSAN |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | [www.san.org www.san.org] |
| Overview map | [maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.734801,-117.190175&spn=0.020131,0.038242&t=h&hl=en Google Maps] |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 118.3 338.225 |
| Ground | 123.9 |
| Clearance | 125.9 |
| Approach | 119.6 (West) 124.35 (East) |
| Departure | 119.6 (West) 124.35 (East) |
| ATIS | 134.8 619-298-0997 |
| Departure | 122.95 |
San Diego International Airport is the primary commercial airport for San Diego County. No airline maintains a hub there, and Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier. The vast majority of scheduled flights are to points within North America; currently only Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines provide transoceanic service; both to Hawaii. The airport has only a single runway, 9/27, and normal operations call for arrivals and departures on runway 27.
The airport is notable for its approach to runway 27, which due to the airport's close proximity to Downtown San Diego, allows spotters a view of many aircraft flying level to the roofs of the downtown skyscrapers.
Official Spotting Locations
Harbor & Laurel Parking Lot
The airport has a small free parking lot at the intersection of Harbor Dr. and Laurel St. for spotting. From here you will see aircraft arriving and departing on runway 27, which is the airport's normal operation. You will need a ladder or tall vehicle to get camera lenses above the fence line for departure and taxi shots, however you can photograph arrivals from street level with a long enough lens if you time it right to avoid poles and trees. Posted signs prohibit unattended vehicles, so you won't want to go far from the lot unless someone is with you to stay with your car. Avoid the adjacent Solar Turbines parking lot, but the sidewalk along Laurel St. should be okay. Lighting is best in the late afternoon, especially during summer.
Other Spotting Locations
Locations To Avoid
Solar Turbines Parking Lot
This lot is next to the official observation area at Laurel St. and Harbor Dr. It is tempting because it gets you closer to the action than the official area. However, it is private property and Solar Turbines security does patrol the lot and has asked spotters to leave. If you stay on the public sidewalk outside the lot along Laurel Dr., you should be okay.
Regular Traffic
Please note that all times listed in this section are approximate. Spotters visiting SAN may wish to consult the Flight Planner accessible at the San Diego International Airport website for exact and up-to-date information. Keep in mind also that many cargo flights do not operate on weekends or holidays.
Passenger
- Aeromexico: Aeromexico utilizes the MD-87 as its standard equipment to San Diego, although the MD-80 and 737-700 make occasional appearances. There is a daily flight arriving at approximately 7:30PM from Los Cabos and departing again at approximately 9:00AM. On Thursdays and Sundays, there are additional arrivals at approximately 8:40AM, 12:35PM, and 4:10PM with corresponding departures at approximately 9:45AM, 1:35PM, and 5:15PM.
- Alaska Airlines: 737-400, 737-900, MD-80
- Aloha Airlines: 737-700
- American Airlines: 757-200, MD-80
- American Eagle: ERJ-140, Saab 340B
- Continental Airlines: 737-800, 737-900
- Delta Air Lines: 737-300, 757-200, 767-200, 767-300, MD-90
- Delta Connection (Atlantic Southeast Airlines): CRJ-700
- Delta Connection (SkyWest Airlines): CRJ-200
- Frontier Airlines: A318, A319
- Hawaiian Airlines: 767-300
- JetBlue Airways: A320
- Midwest Airlines: 717-200
- Northwest Airlines: A320
- Southwest Airlines: 737
- Sun Country Airlines: 737-800
- United Airlines: 737-300, 737-500, 757-200, A319, A320
- United Express (SkyWest Airlines): CRJ-200, EMB-120
- US Airways: A319, A320, A321
- America West Airlines: 737-300, 757-200, A319, A320
- America West Express (Mesa Airlines): CRJ-200, CRJ-900
Cargo
- Airborne Express: 767-200
- Ameriflight: Beech Airliner 99
- Capital Cargo International Airlines: 727-200
- Custom Air Transport (CAT): 727-200
- DHL Cargo: 727-200
- FedEx Express: A300, A310, 727-200, DC-10
- FedEx Feeder (Westair): Cessna 208B Cargomaster
- Kitty Hawk Air Cargo: 737-300
- United Parcel Service (UPS): 757-200, 767-300
Facilities and Transportation
Public Transportation
San Diego Transit bus Route 992, sometimes known as the Flyer, is the only bus that provides service to the airport terminals. The line originates in downtown San Diego, with several stops including one near the official observation lot at Laurel and Harbor. Connections to Route 992 can be made at various locations in downtown San Diego to other bus routes as well as the San Diego Trolley, Coaster, and Amtrak trains.
Additional bus routes that serve the airport area (but not the terminals directly) are Routes 922 and 923 along Harbor Dr. and Route 908 which stops at the Washington Street Blue Line Trolley station located at Washington St. and Pacific Hwy.