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San Diego International Airport: Difference between revisions

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{{infobox|fullname=San Diego International Airport<br />(Lindbergh Field)|location=San Diego, California|iata=SAN|icao=KSAN|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.san.org|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.734801,-117.190175&spn=0.020131,0.038242&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.3 338.225|atcground=123.9|atcclearance=125.9|atcapproach=119.6 (West)<br />124.35 (East)|atcdeparture=119.6 (West)<br />124.35 (East)|atcatis=134.8<br />619-298-0997|atcunicom=122.95}}
{{infobox|fullname=San Diego International Airport<br />(Lindbergh Field)|location=San Diego, California|iata=SAN|icao=KSAN|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.san.org|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.734801,-117.190175&spn=0.020131,0.038242&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.3 338.225|atcground=123.9|atcclearance=125.9|atcapproach=119.6 (West)<br />124.35 (East)|atcdeparture=119.6 (West)<br />124.35 (East)|atcatis=134.8<br />619-298-0997|atcunicom=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, followed closely by Alaska Airlines. The vast majority of scheduled flights are to points within North America including the Hawaiian Islands. In terms of international service, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, and WestJet operate to respective destinations that include Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary with Air Transat soon to be starting flights to Montreal. Swoop was supposed to begin service to Abbotsford and Edmonton, however, the grounding of the 737 MAX has affected previous plans to begin both flights in October 2019 so they have pushed back start-up to Summer 2020. Alaska, Southwest, and Sun Country (seasonally) operate the airport's only flights to Mexico: Puerto Vallarta (AS/WN) and San Jose Del Cabo (AS/SY/WN). British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Lufthansa provide intercontinental wide-body service with flights to London-Heathrow, Tokyo-Narita, and Frankfurt, respectively. Edelweiss provides seasonal wide-body service to Zurich during the summer. 
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, followed closely by Alaska Airlines. The vast majority of scheduled flights are to points within North America including the Hawaiian Islands. In terms of international service, Air Canada Express, Air Canada, and WestJet operate to destinations in Canada. There are a handful of flights to Mexico, but service to points in Mexico is dominated by nearby [[Tijuana International Airport]]. British Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM, and Lufthansa provide intercontinental wide-body service with flights to London-Heathrow, Tokyo-Narita, Amsterdam, and Munich, respectively.


The airport has only a single runway, 9/27, and normal operations call for arrivals and departures on runway 27. Runway 9 usage is uncommon. They will use runway 9 if the cloud ceilings are below 600 feet from airport elevation due to non-precision only approaches for runway 27 and if the visibility is reduced to less than 1 1/2 miles. In addition, easterly winds known as "Santa Ana" winds will force runway 9 operations if strong enough; and conditions are usually clear which is rare for reverse operations. Runway 9 has an operating ILS which can account for the lowered ceiling and visibility.  
The airport has only a single runway, 9/27, and normal operations call for arrivals and departures on runway 27. Runway 9 usage is uncommon. They will use runway 9 if the cloud ceilings are below 600 feet from airport elevation due to non-precision only approaches for runway 27 and if the visibility is reduced to less than 1 1/2 miles. In addition, easterly winds known as "Santa Ana" winds will force runway 9 operations if strong enough; and conditions are usually clear which is rare for reverse operations. Runway 9 has an operating ILS which can account for the lowered ceiling and visibility.  
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===Aladdin Parking Garage===
===Aladdin Parking Garage===
This garage has amazing opportunities for capturing landings and taxiing to the runway. Takeoffs are a bit of a challenge as they require a long lense and the presence of heat haze is inevitable. The parking garage is located adjacent to Laurel Parking lot, on the other side of Laurel street. However, they do catch you fairly quickly and ask you to move. Unlike the Laurel, the staff here aren't nearly as aggressive in moving you off the property. If you do plan to park here, be warned. The last time I checked, they charge daily, not hourly. This isn't the best spot if you want to spot for a good amount of time. I have not been to this spot in nearly a year and a half, so maybe things have changed. As for now, just assume you will get asked to leave fairly quickly.
This garage has amazing opportunities for capturing landings and taxiing to the runway. Takeoffs are a bit of a challenge as they require a long lense and the presence of heat haze is inevitable. The parking garage is located adjacent to Laurel Parking lot, on the other side of Laurel street. However, they do catch you fairly quickly and ask you to move. Unlike the Laurel, the staff here aren't nearly as aggressive in moving you off the property. If you do plan to park here, be warned. The last time I checked, they charge daily, not hourly. This isn't the best spot if you want to spot for a good amount of time. I have not been to this spot in nearly a year and a half, so maybe things have changed. As for now, just assume you will get asked to leave fairly quickly.
===Rental Car Facility===
Located on the top floor of this massive structure, this spot provides breathtaking views of the bay as well as a clear view of the touchdown of aircraft. This was the premier spot until a sign was listed on top of the roof stating "employees only." From then on, spotters usually tended to avoid this area. No further spotting was noted after the sign was put up.


===Ivy St. and Albatross St.===
===Ivy St. and Albatross St.===
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===Laurel Airport Parking===
===Laurel Airport Parking===


This is the multi-story parking structure that aircraft fly over just before landing on runway 27.  While tempting because of the possibility of down-the-runway views of the airport and belly shots of landing aircraft, there are signs posted that taking photos and videos are prohibited, and that they can have you arrested for trespassing for doing anything other than being actively engaged in the parking of vehicles.
This is the multi-story parking structure that aircraft fly over just before landing on runway 27.  While tempting because of the possibility of down-the-runway views of the airport and belly shots of landing aircraft, there are signs posted stating that taking photos and videos are prohibited, and that they can have you arrested for trespassing for doing anything other than being actively engaged in the parking of vehicles.
 
===Rental Car Facility===
Located on the top floor of this massive structure, this spot provides breathtaking views of the bay as well as a clear view of the touchdown of aircraft. This was the premier spot until a sign was listed on top of the roof stating "employees only." From then on, spotters usually tended to avoid this area. No further spotting was noted after the sign was put up.


==Spotting Locations Map==
==Spotting Locations Map==
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32.7362,-117.2116~NTC Park;
32.7362,-117.2116~NTC Park;
32.7283,-117.1791~Laurel and Harbor Lot;
32.7283,-117.1791~Laurel and Harbor Lot;
32.736631,-117.182220~Rental Car Facility;
32.728233,-117.165725~Ivy and Albatross;
32.728233,-117.165725~Ivy and Albatross;
32.733750, -117.173429~W Palm Street Pedestrian Overpass
32.733750, -117.173429~W Palm Street Pedestrian Overpass
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===Passenger===
===Passenger===
*'''Air Canada''': A220-300
*'''Air Canada''': 737 MAX 8
*'''Air Canada Express (Jazz)''': CRJ-900
*'''Air Canada Express (Jazz)''': CRJ-900
*'''Alaska Airlines''': 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9
*'''Alaska Airlines''': 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9
**'''Horizon Air''': ERJ-175
**'''Horizon Air''': ERJ-175
**'''SkyWest Airlines''': ERJ-175
**'''SkyWest Airlines''': ERJ-175
*'''Allegiant Air''': A319-100, A320-200
*'''American Airlines''': 737-800, A320-200, A321-200, A321neo
*'''American Airlines''': 737-800, A320-200, A321-200, A321neo
*'''Breeze Airways''': A220-300
*'''Breeze Airways''': A220-300
*'''British Airways''': A350-1000
*'''British Airways''':
**Winter Season: Once daily, 777-200ER
**Summer Season: Twice daily, 777-200ER and 777-300ER
*'''Copa Airlines''': 737 MAX 9
*'''Delta Air Lines''': 737-800, 737-900ER, 757-200, 757-300, A319-100, A320-200, A321-200
*'''Delta Air Lines''': 737-800, 737-900ER, 757-200, 757-300, A319-100, A320-200, A321-200
**'''Delta Connection (SkyWest Airlines)''': ERJ-175
**'''Delta Connection (SkyWest Airlines)''': ERJ-175
*'''Frontier Airlines''': A319-100, A320-200, A320neo, A321-200, A321neo
*'''Frontier Airlines''': A320-200, A320neo, A321-200, A321neo
*'''Hawaiian Airlines''': A321neo, A330-200
*'''Hawaiian Airlines''': A321neo, A330-200
*'''Japan Airlines''': 787-8
*'''Japan Airlines''': 787-8
*'''JetBlue Airways''': A320-200, A321-200
*'''JetBlue Airways''': A320-200, A321-200
*'''KLM Royal Dutch Airlines''': 787-9 ''(resumes February 23, 2026)''
*'''Lufthansa''': A350-900
*'''Lufthansa''': A350-900
*'''Porter Airlines''': E195-E2 ''(begins December 9, 2024)''
*'''Southwest Airlines''': 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8
*'''Southwest Airlines''': 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8
*'''Spirit Airlines''': A319-100, A320-200, A320neo, A321-200
*'''Sun Country Airlines''': 737-800
*'''Sun Country Airlines''': 737-700, 737-800
*'''United Airlines''': 737-800, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9, A321neo
*'''United Airlines''': 737-700, 737-800, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 8, 737 MAX 9, 777-200ER, A319-100, A320-200
**'''United Express (SkyWest Airlines)''': CRJ-700, ERJ-175
**'''United Express (SkyWest Airlines)''': CRJ-700, ERJ-175
*'''WestJet''': 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8
*'''WestJet''': 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8
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