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" in its unique livery 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 to SLC.
- Frontier Airlines: Frontier operates five daily flights using the A318 and A319. Arrivals are at approximately 8:15AM, 10:05AM, 2:05PM, 7:25PM, and 10:40PM. Departures generally take place forty minutes after arrival, example for the late night flight which leaves at approximately 6:20AM.
- Hawaiian Airlines: One of SAN's highlights is Hawaiian's daily 767-300 departure at approximately 9:05AM to HNL. Unfortunately, the flight arrives well after dark. In the summer season, a second daily 767-300 departs at approximately 10:00AM for OGG.
- JetBlue Airways: JetBlue operates a handful of A320 flights to SAN. For spotters, the daily arrival at 11:10AM and departure at 12:05PM is likely to be most convenient. Most JetBlue activity at SAN takes place after dark.
- Midwest Airlines: A recent arrival at SAN is Midwest Airlines with its new 717-200 service from Kansas City, arriving daily at approximately 11:15AM and departing at approximately 12:05PM.
- Northwest Airlines: Northwest operates daily services to SAN using the A320 and 757-200, which may be seen in both the current and older schemes. The A319 also makes appearances occasionally.
- Southwest Airlines: Southwest has by far the largest passenger operation at SAN, with several arrivals and departures every hour. Most of these flights are operated by the 737-300 and 737-700, in both new and older liveries. The 737-500 is no longer seen very frequently in SAN. Fortunately, because of the large number of Southwest aircraft cycling through San Diego, it is not uncommon to see one of the airline's famous special livery planes.
- Sun Country Airlines: Sun Country operates a 737-800 flight, arriving at 5:25PM and departing at 6:10PM every day except for Wednesdays and Sundays.
- United Airlines: United operates a mixed fleet to SAN, comprised of the 737-300, 737-500, 757-200, A319, and A320. These may appear in the new or old livery. The 737s are still occasionally seen in the "Shuttle by United" livery and Ted A320s sometimes appear, despite the fact that SAN is not a Ted destination. Flights are operated throughout the day.
- United Express (SkyWest Airlines): The EMB-120 is the mainstay of United Express service to SAN, although these are supplemented by a small number of CRJ-200 flights.
- US Airways: US Airways brings the A319, A320, and A321 to SAN. Daylight arrivals take place at approximately 10:20AM and 12:30PM. Departures are at 7:10AM, 11:15AM, and 1:30PM. The US Airways colors are still rare in SAN but this will change as more aircraft are painted into the new livery.
- America West Airlines: America West operates the 737-300, 757-200, A319, and A320 from SAN. For spotters, the 757 flights will be of greatest interest because America West often brings its special livery planes to San Diego. Arrivals occur at approximately 2:45PM and 5:45PM, and departures take place at 6:50AM, 3:40PM, and 6:35PM.
- America West Express (Mesa Airlines): America West Express operates several CRJ-200 and CRJ-900 flights throughout the day.
Cargo
- Airborne Express: The 767-200 belonging to Airborne Express parked on the northside of the field has been nicknamed "the sleeping giant" by SAN spotters because it hardly ever seems to move. It typically arrives at approximately 5:45AM and departs between 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
- Ameriflight: Ameriflight operates the Beech 1900 and Beech Airliner 99 to SAN in the early evening, with arrivals usually coming between 6:00PM and 7:00PM.
- Capital Cargo International Airlines: Capital Cargo's 727-200 typically arrives on weekdays between 7:30AM and 8:30AM. It departs between 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
- Custom Air Transport (CAT): The CAT 727-200 arrives between 7:30AM and 8:30AM most weekday mornings. It generally departs between 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
- DHL Cargo: DHL's distinctive yellow 727-200 usually arrives between 7:00AM and 8:00AM. It departs between 5:30PM and 8:00PM.
- FedEx Express: FedEx is the largest cargo carrier at SAN, with the A300, A310, 727-200, and DC-10 all making regular appearances. Three flights usually arrive in the very early morning, before 6:00AM, and normally have all departed by 8:00AM. A second set of three flights typically arrives between 4:00PM and 5:30PM. These usually depart again between 7:00PM and 8:30PM. Recently, FedEx has been using Airbus aircraft for the majority of its flights.
- FedEx Feeder (Westair): A series of Cessna 208B Cargomaster flight arrive between 6:00PM and 7:00PM from El Centro supplying cargo for the larger FedEx aircraft flying out of SAN.
- Kitty Hawk Air Cargo: Kitty Hawk usually sends a 737-300 Freighter to SAN, with an arrival between 7:45AM and 8:30AM most mornings. It departs again between 6:00PM and 8:00PM. Occasionally a 727-200 will make an appearance.
- United Parcel Service (UPS): UPS operates two weekday flights. A 757-200 arrives between 4:30AM and 5:30AM, and usually departs in the early morning, often before 7:00AM. A 767-300 arrives from the Hawaiian islands most days between 12:00PM and 2:00PM. It departs between 6:00PM and 8:00PM. Both the new and old liveries of UPS may be seen at SAN.
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.