Terminals at SAN
Getting to San Diego International
Parking at SAN
Lounges at SAN
Top destinations from SAN
Airlines at SAN
5 things you didn't know about San Diego International
Verified by the CompareFlights team- 1San Diego International is the busiest single-runway commercial airport in the United States — handles over 200 daily flights on just 9,401 feet of runway 9/27, with no parallel for redundancy.
- 2The approach to runway 27 is among the most challenging at any major US airport — pilots must descend over the Cabrillo Bridge and through downtown San Diego's high-rise canyons, with the runway threshold appearing only seconds before touchdown.
- 3The airport's Lindbergh Field name commemorates Charles Lindbergh — his 'Spirit of St. Louis' was built in San Diego at Ryan Aircraft Company in 1927, and Lindbergh visited often during construction.
- 4SAN is the only major California airport with a strict overnight curfew — no commercial operations from 11:30 PM to 6:30 AM, with significant fines (up to $20,000 per departure) for any violation.
- 5The future MTS Trolley extension to San Diego International is planned for 2027 — making SAN currently the only major California airport without direct light rail to its downtown.
Frequently asked about SAN
Why doesn't San Diego have an airport train?
SAN was built on a tight downtown waterfront with no nearby existing rail right-of-way, and successive plans to extend the MTS Trolley have been delayed by funding and routing disputes. A people-mover and trolley-extension project is now in active planning, with construction starting in 2026 and service targeted for 2027-2028.
How tight is the final approach into SAN?
It's famous. Aircraft descend steeply over Balboa Park and downtown buildings, with the threshold of runway 27 just past Interstate 5. Pilots train specifically for the approach; on a clear day the view from the right side of the cabin is spectacular but not for nervous flyers.
Which terminal does Southwest use?
Southwest operates almost entirely from Terminal 1, where it's by far the largest carrier. The phased Terminal 1 reconstruction will eventually give Southwest a much larger and more modern home, with 30 gates and a dedicated entry roadway scheduled to be complete by 2028.
How far is Tijuana airport from San Diego?
Tijuana International (TIJ) is about 25 miles south of central San Diego. The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge offers a paid border crossing direct from the US side to TIJ's main terminal — useful for cheaper Mexican domestic flights, though it requires a border crossing fee and a passport.