Terminal 1
Opened in September 2025 with 19 gates and a 13-lane security checkpoint. It has no airside lounge; Escape and Alaska lounges are announced for 2027.
San Diego, California KSAN #24 US airport by passengers
A few minutes from downtown San Diego, on the edge of San Diego Bay, between Harbor Island and Lindbergh Field.
San Diego International is a single-runway airport close to the city center. Its two terminals are not connected airside, and that is the most important thing to plan for on a trip that includes both.
Terminal 1 is the first phase of a multi-billion dollar rebuild and opened in September 2025 with 19 gates, a 13-lane checkpoint and an outdoor deck with views of the bay. It has no lounges. Terminal 2 has all four airside lounges.
Main airlines: Alaska Airlines and American Airlines check in at Terminal 2 East. Delta, United, Hawaiian and the international carriers operate from Terminal 2 West. Check your airline on the departures board, since gate assignments are split across the two terminals.
Source: FAA National Airspace System Status, checked just now. Airline-specific delays are not shown here.
70°F21°C
Good visibility and high cloud base. Normal operations are typical.
METARMETAR KSAN 111751Z 22010G25KT 10SM FEW029 BKN040 OVC047 21/14 A2978 RMK AO2 SLP083 60008 T02110139 10211 20194 51038
Source: NOAA Aviation Weather Center. Observed 54 min ago.
Full weather, TAF, forecast and runways →
Based on 27,288 departures from May 2026 to July 2026. A flight counts as late when it leaves 15 or more minutes after schedule.
| Airline | Departures | Late |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | 10,680 | 43.9% |
| SkyWest Airlines | 4,043 | 26.2% |
| Alaska Airlines | 3,693 | 23.2% |
| United Airlines | 2,836 | 21.3% |
| American Airlines | 2,589 | 25.3% |
| Delta Air Lines | 2,465 | 12.3% |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, On-Time Performance of reporting carriers. Smaller regional carriers and some airlines are not included.
Opened in September 2025 with 19 gates and a 13-lane security checkpoint. It has no airside lounge; Escape and Alaska lounges are announced for 2027.
Home of the Aspire Lounge, between gates 23 and 33. Alaska and American check in here.
Delta, United, Hawaiian and the international carriers operate here. The Chase Sapphire Lounge is between gates 46 and 47, and the Delta Sky Club and United Club are on the mezzanine.
The two terminals do not connect airside. The free Inter-Terminal Shuttle runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 from about 4 a.m. to 2 a.m., and it may take longer during construction. Changing terminals means leaving security and going through the checkpoint again, so allow at least 45 minutes for the trip.
Stops at both terminals about every 15 minutes, from early morning until around midnight or 1 a.m. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the Santa Fe Depot, which connects with the Trolley, COASTER and Amtrak. The airport and MTS list slightly different hours, so check MTS before a late or early trip. Buy fare with the PRONTO card or app.
A free shuttle between the airport and Old Town Transit Center. It runs about every 20 to 30 minutes, from about 4:45 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. The schedules differ slightly between sources, so check the live tracker before you travel.
Runs between the terminals and the Rental Car Center 24 hours a day.
Taxis and rideshare vehicles use the transportation plazas in front of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Customer service representatives are across the street from each terminal.
No. The terminals do not connect airside. The free Inter-Terminal Shuttle links them, and you need to go through security again after the transfer.
Take MTS Route 992 to Santa Fe Depot, about 15 minutes away. The free San Diego Flyer runs to Old Town Transit Center, which connects with the Trolley, COASTER and Amtrak.
All four current lounges are in Terminal 2: the Aspire Lounge, the Chase Sapphire Lounge, the Delta Sky Club and the United Club. Terminal 1 has none yet.
About 12,675,684 passengers boarded flights at San Diego International Airport in 2025, according to FAA enplanement data. That ranks it number 24 among US airports.
Over May 2026 to July 2026, 31.0% of departures at SAN left 15 or more minutes late, and 0.94% of flights were cancelled (Bureau of Transportation Statistics).
Guide content last reviewed October 9, 2026. Report a correction