Los Angeles Area Airports
Often called “LA” for short, and nicknamed the City of Angels, Los Angeles is a world center of business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, technology, and education. It is the largest city in California and the second largest in the U.S. after New York City.
Van Nuys Airport (IATA: VNY, ICAO: KVNY) Known for years as the busiest general aviation airport in the U.S., Van Nuys Airport has an 8000 foot long runway that services a variety of business jet and general aviation aircraft. Van Nuys Airport opened in 1928 as a privately-owned airport, Metropolitan Airport, with intersecting grass runways on a former bean field. A film documenting the history of Van Nuys Airport was released under the name One Six Right: The Romance of Flying, named after the more popular runway at the airport.
Van Nuys Airport is the destination of choice for flyers wanting to visit Encino, Calabasas, Simi Valley, Brentwood, and Bel Air. It is also the airport of choice when Santa Monica Airport can’t accommodate departures due to runway and noise curfew restrictions for communities such as Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, and Malibu.
Bob Hope Airport (IATA: BUR, ICAO: KBUR) Originally called the Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena airport, then named after Bob Hope in the 1990s, Burbank airport is close to most of the studios in the San Fernando valley. Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, Walt Disney’s Imagineering, and NBC are all within just a few miles. BUR is also the closest airport to Dodger Stadium, the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, Los Feliz, and downtown Los Angeles, as well as Glendale and Pasadena. Scheduled airline service is available in Burbank. There are nighttime curfews for jets in BUR.
Santa Monica Airport (IATA: SMO, ICAO: KSMO) Santa Monica Airport is the original home of Douglas Aircraft, where the Douglas DC-3 was built in the 1930s and 1940s. Santa Monica Airport is the closest airport for visiting Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Century City, West Los Angeles and Malibu. The shorter runway is best used by light and mid jets. There are very stringent noise restrictions in place, and a curfew is in effect, prohibiting jet operations at night.
Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX) As a hub for no less than three major US airlines, countless international arrivals and departures, and four long runways, LAX is the busiest airport on the West Coast. It is one of only two in the West that can accommodate the mammoth Airbus A-380. There are two FBOs on the field that cater to business jets. There are no noise restrictions or curfews at LAX. Operations at Los Angeles International Airport can be prone to delays, especially in poor weather or during peak traffic periods.
Hawthorne/Northrop Airport (IATA: HHR, ICAO: KHHR) Named after aviation pioneer Jack Northrop and situated only three miles away from LAX and eight miles from Santa Monica, Hawthorne’s 5000 foot runway can accommodate most jets up to super-mids. Free from the traffic and congestion of LAX, arrivals and departures move quickly. It is also adjacent to Interstate 105 and just east of Interstate 405. There is only one FBO on the field, and it operates only part time. Late night arrivals and departures require prior arrangements. There are no noise abatement restrictions at Hawthorne.
Long Beach/Daugherty Field (IATA: LGB, ICAO: KLGB) With its rich history and 10,000 foot long runway, Long Beach/Daugherty Field serves the communities of Palos Verdes, Carson, Signal Hill, Cypress, Los Alamitos, Fullerton and Anaheim. Directly adjacent to the 405 freeway, access to the airport is convenient. There are curfews for late night and early morning operations.
Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA, ICAO: KSNA) Adjacent to some of the most affluent neighborhoods in Orange County, Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport serves communities such as San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, Tustin and Lake Forest. There is major airline service and two FBOs on the field. Very stringent noise limitations require a steep climb out and power reduction on takeoff. The noise curfew prohibits late night and early morning operations.
Ontario International Airport (IATA: ONT, ICAO: KONT) Ontario is situated in the Inland Empire, near cities such as Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Claremont, Upland and Montclair. Two long runways, two FBOs, and no noise restrictions all make ONT a very user friendly airport. Major airline service is available. The airport is just minutes away from the California Raceway, where annual NASCAR events are held.
San Bernardino International Airport (IATA: SBD, ICAO: KSBD) Formerly the Norton Air Force Base, the runway has been San Bernardino International Airport is now a general aviation airport with a runway capable of handling long range aircraft. SBD is just a few miles east of Ontario airport, so it is convenient if you are going to Redlands, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Rialto, Colton or as far south as Moreno Valley. For trips to the ski areas of Big Bear, Snow Summit, as well as Wrightwood, SBD is the closest airport, other than Big Bear, snuggled into the foothills at the south end of the Cajon Pass near Interstate 15.
Chino Airport (IATA: CNO, ICAO: KCNO) Originally built in the middle of dairy farms and ranches, Chino Airport used to be so remote that the state built two prisons next to the runways. As the area grew, so did the airport. Lockheed built an additional 7,000 foot runway and a large hangar facility on the south side of the field to upgrade the L-1011 Tri-Star fleet with a new avionics package, as well as modernizing the fleet. Unfortunately, demand for the L-1011 disappeared and the upgrades were only performed on a few test aircraft before the project was abandoned.
The “Planes of Fame” museum on the airport houses a wonderful collection of WWII era warbirds. Chino Airport is closest to Chino Hills, Pomona, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Yorba Linda, and San Dimas.
French Valley Airport (IATA: F70, ICAO: KF70) Not far from the I-15/I-215 split near Temecula and Murrieta Hot Springs, French Valley’s 6000 foot long runway serves the southern reaches of Riverside county and the northernmost communities of San Diego county. Close to famous vineyards, citrus and avocado groves, this airport sits in a very picturesque part of Southern California, complete with rolling hills and quiet upscale communities.
