Our Review of San Diego Airport

Table of contents: Our Review of San Diego Airport Pros and Cons of San Diego Airport Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of San Diego Airport

Information compiled by David Enrich, aviation and airport guide expert since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Overall, reviews of San Diego International Airport are moderately positive, with a clear perception: it is a convenient, well-located, and easy-to-navigate airport, but with limitations due to its size. Many users highlight its proximity to downtown, the short walking distances, and how easy it is to move around. Staff friendliness and the general efficiency of processes such as security and boarding are also frequently praised.

However, several recurring criticisms appear across different platforms. The main issue mentioned is congestion during peak hours, especially in Terminal 1, where ongoing renovations and limited space can lead to discomfort and longer waiting times. Some travelers also point out that the range of dining options and seating areas is more limited compared to larger airports. Overall, while functional, the airport can feel undersized for the volume of passengers it handles.

In recent years, reviews have shown some improvement thanks to ongoing upgrades and expansions, with a gradual increase in passenger satisfaction and a more modern feel in certain areas.

As a final assessment, the airport would score around 7/10. It stands out for being practical, efficient, and very well connected to the city, making it ideal for quick and straightforward travel, but it is held back by congestion and some service limitations. With current improvements underway, this rating is likely to increase in the coming years.

Pros and Cons of San Diego Airport

PROS

Location: San Diego Airport is conveniently located about 3 miles from downtown San Diego, making it very accessible for travelers.

Modern and Well-Equipped Facilities: The airport has modern amenities, such as food and retail stores, lounges, and modernized terminals. It has VIP lounges and comfy seating places for both business and leisure travelers.

Airlines & Top Destinations: San Diego Airport is a focus city for Alaska Airlines. Top domestic destinations from SAN Airport are San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, Phoenix, San Jose, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Dallas, Chicago and Oakland.

Easy Terminal Transfers: If you need to transfer between flights, there are free shuttles available between the parking lots, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the Car Rental Center. It operates throughout the day and night. Both terminals are also connected by a walkway as they are relatively close.

Safety and Cleanliness: The airport is known for maintaining excellent levels of cleanliness and safety, which adds to a great overall experience for passengers.

CONS

Crowded During Peak Times: During peak travel periods, the airport may get congested, resulting in longer security lines and packed terminals.

Long TSA Lines During Peak Hours: Although typically efficient, TSA lines can grow rather lengthy during peak travel periods, potentially causing delays.

Construction and Renovation: Ongoing construction and renovation efforts can occasionally interrupt or make some areas of the airport less accessible.

Delayed Baggage Claims: Baggage claim delays may occur on occasions, particularly during peak times or during aircraft interruptions.

Higher Taxi and Rideshare Costs: Taxis and rideshares from the airport may cost more than expected, especially during peak hours or surge pricing periods.

Accessibility Challenges for Some Travelers: While largely accessible, there may be some challenges for people with disabilities or those who require special help owing to the layout or design.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

There are Two Terminals: San Diego International Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. They are located close to each other. However, travelers must utilize shuttle services or walk in walkway to get between them. To minimize misunderstanding, make sure you know which terminal your flight will depart from.

Transport To and From San Diego: The airport is well-connected to downtown San Diego and its surroundings. Public transportation options include buses, taxis, ridesharing, and rental cars. The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) provides bus service to the airport as well. Remember that public transportation alternatives may be restricted late at night, so plan accordingly.

Check-in Areas:

Terminal 1: Check-in counters are located on the ground level, with security checks, arrival areas, access to transportation and gates from this area. The check-in areas are divided into two parts: West Area, with gates 11 to 18 and East Area with gates 1 to 10.
Terminal 2: Check-in counters are likewise located on the ground floor, with security and gate sections well indicated. Terminal 2 is recognized for its modern amenities and open layout.

Dining and Shopping: Terminals provide a variety of food and shopping options, ranging from quick meals to sit-down restaurants. They also provide many culinary and shopping options. You can enjoy local and foreign cuisine and get last-minute necessities before your trip.

Family-Friendly Facilities: SAN airport is equipped with family-friendly amenities, including designated play areas for children and family restrooms. There are also pet relief areas for travelers with pets.

Lounges: While waiting for your trip, you may relax at one of the airport’s lounges, which are located throughout both terminals. Certain lounges may demand membership or a price to get access.

Travel Tips:

Arrive Early: Increased security procedures may lead to longer lines and wait times. Plan to arrive two hours before your flight’s departure time. Passengers are strongly advised to check with their respective airlines to confirm schedules before arriving at the airport.
Have ID and Tickets Ready: Ticketed passengers with photo identifications (IDs) will be allowed past security checkpoints to boarding areas. Passengers on ticketless travel must either carry printed proof of their ticket purchases (e.g., a printed itinerary) or check in at the ticket counter.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation