4/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“Inside, the terminal is spacious with clear sightlines, making it easy to navigate even when it’s busy.”
Aaron Linsdau Thriller Author5★ on Google
Airports / California / SAN
Large airport · SAN
San Diego International Airport.
San Diego, California · 17 ft elevation. 2 charter operators based here.
4.2/5
Google rating
20,262 ratings
2
Operators based
17
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
San Diego, CaliforniaELEV 17 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.2
Google rating
20,262
Google reviews
ratings on Google
2
Based operators
charter operators on the field
1
FBOs on field
ramp, fuel and handling
17
Field elevation
feet above sea level
Field standing
2 operators
Charter fleet based on the field
More resident charter operators than 58% of the 651 US fields with a based fleet on the register.
2 nm
To the nearest alternate
North Island Naval Air Station-Halsey Field (NZY), 6 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
San Diego International Airport, listed as KSAN / SAN, is a large commercial airport in San Diego, California. Field elevation is 17 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
For charter flyers, SAN is a home base: AC Global Medical Transports and Corporate Helicopters operate from the field. The closest alternate fields are North Island Naval Air Station-Halsey Field (NZY, 2 nm), Miramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher Field (NKX, 8 nm), and Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM, 14 nm). The field has a single 9,401-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Charter travelers heading this way can start with the San Diego, CA destination guide for route and aircraft recommendations. You may also see the field referenced as Lindbergh Field. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from SAN to plan your flight.
1 FBO serves KSAN. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Signature Flight Support San Diego
Your FBO? Claim it, freeKnown for its beautiful weather and breathtaking views, San Diego is a popular year around vacation destination for every age. From the historic Gas lamp District with great nightlife and entertainment, to the shores of La Jolla which star some playful seals. America's Finest City is home to many of America's bravest servicemen and women, popular conventions, and air and boat shows.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- Mon-Sun 05:30-22:00, call out available on request
- Unicom 129.975
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Car rental
- +20 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
3/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Inside, the terminal is spacious with clear sightlines, making it easy to navigate even when it’s busy.”
Aaron Linsdau Thriller Author5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for San Diego International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KSAN
IATA
SAN
FAA / Local
SAN
Elevation
17 ft
Coordinates
32.7336° N · 117.1900° W
Airspace
B · BravoClass B, BravoThe FAA's busiest airspace tier, major hubs like LAX or JFK. Every flight needs an explicit ATC clearance to enter, and charter jets are sequenced alongside airline traffic.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs CA fields
state range -210–7,135 ft
At 17 ft, SAN sits lower than 89% of the 164 California fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 9,401 ft
- 09/279,401 ft × 200 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 9,401 ft
SAN's 9,401 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Based charter operators2
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 2nmNZYNorth Island Naval Air Station-Halsey FieldSan Diego
- 8nmNKXMiramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher FieldSan Diego
- 14nmSDMBrown Field Municipal AirportSan Diego
- 16nmTIJGeneral Abelardo L. Rodriguez International AirportTijuana
- 24nmCLDMcClellan-Palomar AirportCarlsbad
- 35nmKNFGCamp Pendleton MCAS (Munn Field) AirportOceanside
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapKSAN · San Diego International Airport · San Diego, CA
From the ramp
Google Places photography of San Diego International Airport, tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from SAN on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 225 nm | 55m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 271 nm | 1h 2m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 388 nm | 1h 18m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 544 nm | 1h 40m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 634 nm | 1h 52m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 647 nm | 1h 54m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 720 nm | 2h 4m |
| Denver (DEN) | 740 nm | 2h 7m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use SAN?
- San Diego International Airport's longest paved runway is 9,401 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at SAN?
- San Diego International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 9,401 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at SAN?
- Yes. 2 charter operators list San Diego International Airport as a home base, including AC Global Medical Transports, Corporate Helicopters. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- Which FBOs are at San Diego International Airport?
- One FBO serves SAN: Signature Flight Support San Diego. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to SAN?
- The closest alternate is North Island Naval Air Station-Halsey Field (NZY), about 2 nm away, followed by Miramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher Field (NKX) at 8 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from SAN to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Las Vegas about 55m (225 nm), Scottsdale about 1h 2m (271 nm), San Francisco about 1h 18m (388 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.