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: Alaska Airlines operates a busy schedule from SAN, using primarily the 737-400 and MD-80. It is not uncommon to see the 737-700 or 737-900 as well. Alaska's special livery planes visit from time to time on an irregular basis.
- Aloha Airlines: Aloha's daily 737-700 flight arrives at approximately 11:00PM but departs during daylight hours at approximately 8:20AM.
- American Airlines: American has a large number of daily MD-80 flights to its hubs. The 757 is used on long-haul flights to JFK and BOS as well as a few of its flight to DFW. Chances are best for seeing American's 757s in the morning and early afternoon.
- American Eagle: American Eagle operates many flights using the ERJ-140 and Saab 340B throughout the day.
- Continental Airlines: The 737-800 is the mainstay of Continental's operations at SAN, but spotters may occasionally see the 737-300, 737-700, or 737-900 instead. During peak times of the year, such as during the holidays, a few late night arrivals and early morning departures may be operated by the 757-200.
- Delta Air Lines: Delta operates a varied fleet in San Diego, most of which may be seen in the old as well as current livery. Spotters may see the 737-300, 737-800, 757-200, 767-200, 767-300, and MD-90 here. Perhaps of greatest interest are the daily 767-200 and MD-90 flights, both of which arrive after dark but which depart at approximately 9:05AM and 9:10AM respectively. Throughout November, the "Spirit of Delta" has been making visits to SAN at least twice a week and spotters have a good chance of catching it during the morning departures. It, along with Delta's remaining 767-200s, is scheduled to be retired in December.
- Delta Connection (Atlantic Southeast Airlines): A daily CRJ-700 flight arrives at 5:50PM and departs at 6:30PM.
- Delta Connection (SkyWest Airlines): The CRJ-200 is operated daily on a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon flight.
- 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.