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, will have many aircraft flying level to the roofs of the downtown skyscrapers.

Official Spotting Locations

Harbor & Laurel Parking Lot

Northwest A320 on final approach to 27, photographed from the Harbor & Laurel lot at street level

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.

• Airliners.net sample photo: medium large
• JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
• MyAviation.net sample photo: medium large

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

Passenger

• Aeromexico: 737, MD-87
• 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

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.