John Wayne Airport

For other uses, see Orange County Airport (disambiguation) and JWA (disambiguation).

John Wayne Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorOrange County
Serves
Location18601 Airport Way
Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Elevation AMSL56 ft / 17 m
Coordinates33°40′32″N 117°52′06″W / 33.67556°N 117.86833°W / 33.67556; -117.86833
Websitewww.ocair.com
Maps
A map with a grid overlay showing the terminals runways and other structures of the airport.
FAA airport diagram
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
02L/20R 5,700 1,737 Asphalt
02R/20L 2,886 880 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Passengers11,741,325
Aircraft operations273,175

John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA[4], ICAO: KSNA, FAA LID: SNA)[5] is an international commercial and general aviation airport that serves Orange County and the Greater Los Angeles area, in the U.S. state of California. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County,[6] and it is owned and operated by the county. John Wayne Airport is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, although its IATA airport code is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat. Originally named Orange County Airport, the Orange County Board of Supervisors renamed the airport in 1979 in honor of actor John Wayne, who lived in neighboring Newport Beach and died that year. A statue of John Wayne was installed at the airline terminal in 1982.[7]

John Wayne Airport is the sole commercial airport in Orange County. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a primary commercial service airport since it has over 10,000 passenger boardings per year.[8] Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 4,584,147 enplanements in calendar year 2014, an increase from 4,450,628 in 2013.[9] In 2014, John Wayne Airport was the second busiest airport in the Greater Los Angeles area (by passenger count) with over 9 million total passengers.[10] As of 2023, the largest airlines at John Wayne Airport were Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines.

In addition to the airline terminal, several facilities at the airport serve the general aviation and corporate aviation community. General aviation operations outnumber commercial operations. The only other general aviation airport in Orange County is Fullerton Municipal Airport.

John Wayne Airport has two runways. The main runway, 2L/20R, at 5,700 feet (1,700 m) in length, is the shortest runway in the United States that handles regularly scheduled international flights, and passenger jetliners operating from the airport have never been larger than the Boeing 757 (although some larger cargo aircraft fly from SNA, such as the widebody Airbus A300 operated by FedEx). Runway 2R/20L is 2,887 feet (880 m) long and serves general aviation aircraft. No widebody passenger jetliners have ever been operated into SNA in scheduled airline service.

History

[edit]
Orange County Airport, the 1950s
Orange County Airport terminal, circa 1967
Orange County Airport terminal, 1971

The first airstrip in the area was constructed in 1923, when Eddie Martin signed a five-year lease with James Irvine to operate a flying school on land owned by the Irvine Company.[11] It was purchased through a land swap by the County of Orange in 1939 and remains under the county's ownership and management.

Martin added the first hangar to his airfield in 1926.[11] In 1935 Howard Hughes staged his world speed record-setting flight from the Eddie Martin Airport.

At some point between 1940 and 1941, the new Orange County Airport was established on land adjacent to Martin Field, to the south.

The two fields were not located on the same property, as has been repeated elsewhere.

But flight operations at the new Orange County Airport probably resulted in the closure of Martin Field at this point.[11]

After serving as a military base during World War II, the Santa Ana Army Airfield was returned by the federal government to the county with the stipulation that it remain open to all kinds of aviation uses.

Terminal groundbreaking, October 1988

In addition to continuing to serve aviation, the field became an important drag racing center. From 1950 to 1959, C.J. "Pappy" Hart[12] and Creighton Hunter operated the Santa Ana Drag Strip, credited for being the world's first commercial drag strip,[13] on the airport runway every Sunday, when it was closed to air traffic.

The original single runway was 4,800 feet (1,500 m) long, on a magnetic heading of 210 degrees (Runway 21) and 30 degrees (Runway 3). In 1964 the airport was rebuilt, with its present two parallel runway configuration, oriented 190/10 degrees magnetic. The longer runway, 19R (now 20R), at 5,701 feet (1,738 m), is only 901 feet (275 m) longer than the old Runway 21 but long enough to accommodate jet airliners. A full instrument landing system (ILS) was also installed.

In the 1950s, the only airline flights were Bonanza's few flights between Los Angeles and Phoenix, via San Diego. In 1963 Bonanza started nonstop F27s to Phoenix, and to Las Vegas in 1965; in 1967 Air California started Electra nonstops to San Francisco, 48 flights a week each way. The first scheduled jet flights were Bonanza DC-9s later in 1967. From 1967 through 1980, Air California (later renamed AirCal) and Bonanza and its successors, Air West and Hughes Airwest, had a duopoly at the airport, until the FAA ruled this illegal.[14]

In 1967, the 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m2) Eddie Martin Terminal was built to accommodate 400,000 annual passengers. Remodeling added two passenger holding areas in 1974, a new baggage claim area in 1980 and a terminal annex building in 1982, bringing the facility to 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2).

Nonstop flights reached Salt Lake City in 1976–77 (Hughes DC-9s), Denver in 1982 (Frontier MD-80s), Dallas/Fort Worth in 1983 (American MD-80s), Chicago–O'Hare in 1986 (AirCal 737-300s), and New York–Kennedy in 1991 (America West 757-200s).

AirCal MD-80 jet at John Wayne Airport, 1981

After the Orange County Airport was renamed John Wayne Airport on June 20, 1979,[15] the John Wayne Associates commissioned sculptor Robert Summers to create a bronze statue of "the Duke". The 9-foot (2.7 m) statue, created at Hoka Hey Foundry in Dublin, Texas, was dedicated to the County on November 4, 1982. Today, the bronze statue is in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal on the Arrival Level.

The bronze statue of John Wayne in the airport's main lobby, 2009

In 1990, the Thomas F. Riley Terminal opened. The aging 29,000-square-foot (2,700 m2) Eddie Martin Terminal was replaced with a modern 337,900-square-foot (31,390 m2) facility. The new facility included 14 loading bridges, four baggage carousels, wide-open spaces and distinct roadside arrival and departure levels. In 1994, the then-unused Eddie Martin Terminal was demolished. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new, larger airport was proposed for the nearby site of the then recently closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. However, after a series of political battles, combined with significant opposition from residents in the vicinity of El Toro, the proposal was defeated, and no new airport was built.

In 2011, additional terminal space was added and existing terminals were refreshed as part of a $543 million expansion project.[16] A new Terminal C with six additional gates was built along with dedicated commuter gate areas in the new Terminal C and new commuter facilities in Terminal A. A new parking lot C was added along with additional support facilities such as a Central Utility plant.

In June 2020, an airport name change was requested, due to comments John Wayne made, believed to be in support of white supremacy to Playboy in a 1971 interview.[17]

In September 2020, Orange County officials have planned to end all of JSX operations at SNA on January 1, 2021, stating it is "no longer welcomed".[18][19] This announcement prompted the airline to seek support from customers, encouraging them to contact the Orange County officials for reconsideration in order for the airline to continue operations at Orange County.[19] Since December 2020, the airline has filed a lawsuit against the airport, stating that it has "refused to offer any accommodations" to the airline. It stated that the airport "discriminatorily chose" to terminate the airline's operations at SNA "in favor of two large airlines [Spirit and Allegiant Airlines]..." which the former already operates the same flights to Las Vegas, Reno, and Oakland.[20] Shortly afterwards, the airline won a temporary restraining order, preventing the airport officials from terminating the airline's operations in which a spokeswoman said the airport will comply.[21]

Terminals

[edit]
Terminals
Terminal C gate areas
Terminal C commuter gates

There are 22 gates in total. The main passenger terminal, the Thomas F. Riley Terminal, is named for the late county supervisor who lobbied for the airport's expansion in the 1980s. The Thomas F. Riley Terminal is divided into three terminal areas, A, B and C, with dedicated commuter gate areas at the north end of Terminal A and south end of Terminal C.

All three terminals, A, B and C, are within the same Thomas F. Riley building and security screened passengers can move "airside" between all terminal areas. Security screening lanes exist in all three terminals adjacent to check-in. All security screening areas also have a "fast track" lane for first-class and elite frequent fliers along with full TSA PreCheck availability based on TSA defined schedules. Switching between terminals indoors before security "landside" is also possible, the check-in counter areas between all three terminals have connecting walkways to allow access between all terminals. Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided in all three terminals.

Terminals A and B

[edit]

Terminals A and B were built in 1990 to replace the former Eddie Martin Terminal which was closed upon the new terminals' opening. In November 2011, Terminal A added a dedicated commuter gate area, along with refreshed gates, signage and information displays at both Terminals A and B.

Terminals A and B were designed by Gensler & Associates, Leason Pomeroy Associates, and Thompson Consultants International.[22] They contain restaurants, bars and shops, with a themed restaurant located in the airside connecting area of both terminals. In the upper rotunda above the themed restaurant is an American Airlines Admirals Club (operating out of Terminal A) and a United Club (operating out of Terminal B). The two lounges lie adjacent to each other on the mezzanine level. Terminal A has gates 1–8, and Terminal B has gates 9–15.

Terminal C

[edit]

Terminal C opened in November 2011 and added seven new gates, a dedicated commuter gate area and new eateries and retail.

Terminal C also provides a U.S. Customs and Border Protection FIS/Federal Inspection Service for international flights that do not have pre-clearance. Two arrival gates feed into the FIS and passengers once cleared exit at the south end of the Terminal C arrivals area. The FIS facility has Global Entry kiosks for registered users to shorten processing time. The FIS facility was designed by Gensler.[23] Terminal C has gates 16–22.

Arrivals level

[edit]

The Arrivals level is on the lower level of the airport and provides seven baggage claim belts, two in Terminal A, two in Terminal B and three in Terminal C. Baggage Claim 7 is for international arrivals. Immediately outside the baggage claim is the curbside arrivals pickup area. Rental car offices are between Terminal A and B baggage claim areas with most rental agencies on-site in the lower levels of the parking facility across the arrivals pickup area between Terminal A and B. Across the roadway from the arrivals pickup area between Terminal A and B is an island for public transportation, including taxis and buses.

International service

[edit]

John Wayne Airport offers international flights to Mexico and Canada. The airport did not have any regularly scheduled international service up until 2010 when Air Canada began operations to Toronto, Canada.[24] Flights from Canada complete immigration and customs formalities in Canada via United States border preclearance.

Southwest Airlines is operating international flights to Puerto Vallarta and San José del Cabo in Mexico as of March 11, 2021.[25] Prior to resumption, it previously served flights to Puerto Vallarta from June 18, 2015, until March 2017.[26][27][28] Southwest has also served flights to Cabo San Lucas until March 2020, alongside terminating other destinations at the time due to passenger limitations following a 1985 settlement agreement.[29]

Canadian airline WestJet provides non-stop year round service to Vancouver since May 2011.[30] It is also serving direct flights to Calgary; it previously served that route from June 2011 to 2013 before ending operations up until its resumption on November 4, 2021.[31][32][33]

Air Canada also provides daily non-stop flights to Vancouver, Canada since October 2, 2021.[24][34] It was set to start flights in June 2020, and then delayed to September 8, 2020, and then to May 2021, which would have marked its return to service to Orange County after 10 years.[35][36][37] It previously operated flights to Toronto, Ontario, Canada from April 8, 2010, becoming the first-ever international airline to serve Orange County, until it ceased flights later that year.[38]

Alaska Airlines was scheduled for international service to Vancouver in 2002. However, a stop in Seattle (or change of planes) was required shortly after launch as John Wayne Airport was not authorized for pre-clearance or international flights by U.S. agencies at the time.[39]

Southwest Airlines' then-subsidiary AirTran Airways began a new service in June 2012 from John Wayne Airport to Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City. This was the first international service to use the new FIS in Terminal C.[40] After its merger with AirTran was completed in 2014, Southwest continued to operate the Mexico flights under its original brand. However, Southwest then ended its service to Mexico City (MEX) from SNA in January 2017 before completely discontinuing all flights to MEX in March 2019.[41][42]

Mexico's low-cost carrier Interjet began a new service in October 2012 from Orange County to Guadalajara and Mexico City.[43][44] It ended both flights in July 2014; the airport officials are seeking a replacement.[45]

Alaska Airlines began a Mexico service in October 2015. The airline began offering non-stop flights from John Wayne Airport to Los Cabos on October 8 and Puerto Vallarta on the following day, October 9. Alaska Airlines has continued this service to each airport on an every-other-day rotation.[46][47] Since August 2019, the airline has discontinued flights to Mexico.[48]

Airline officials have also been in negotiations with Mexican low-cost airline Volaris, which has applied for an Orange County slot.[49][45]

Aircraft noise abatement and curfew

[edit]
Main article: Aircraft noise

A 1985 settlement agreement defined the scope of operation for John Wayne Airport in how it affects the local community. The area that lies directly south of John Wayne Airport is considered a noise-sensitive area. The agreement in conjunction with a Phase 2 Commercial Airline Access Plan and Regulation controls the number of noisier operations (mainly commercial aircraft) allowed from the airport. Noise abatement enforcement is carried out with the aid of 10 permanent noise monitoring stations. These stations are placed in areas that exceed a community noise equivalent level (CNEL) of 65 dB. Noise reports are published by the airport and are available to the public.[50]

The takeoff procedure at John Wayne Airport is unique because of the local noise restrictions and short runway.[51] When using the typical traffic pattern (departures from runway 20R) most commercial airliners cycle to full power (95–97%) while holding at the end of the runway then release the brakes when engines are fully spooled up. Pilots must make a steep 25 degree climb to 500 to 700 feet (150–210 m), where engine power is reduced to reduce noise.[51] Pilots must also make a left turn after departure to 175 degrees to enter a corridor over the city of Newport Beach where the noise was deemed to be the least disruptive. These procedures have led passengers to rate John Wayne Airport as one of the nation's scariest.[51]

Departures from 2L (normally during Santa Ana wind conditions) are not affected by these noise abatement procedures. Landings are also typically on runway 20R and almost always include full flap extensions and the use of full reverse thrust. Extension of the runway is almost impossible, as both ends are bounded by freeways along with numerous residences and businesses.

The county prohibits commercial departures between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM (8:00 AM on Sundays) and commercial arrivals between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM (8:00 AM on Sundays). Exceptions can be made for an emergency, mechanical, air traffic control, or weather delay, which is beyond the airline's control. Curfew exceptions by carrier are published by the airport and are available to the public.[50]

Settlement amendments

[edit]

In 2003, the settlement agreement was amended to increase operations but only for aircraft meeting the lowest noise signatures. The amendment increased the annual passenger limit to 10.8 million, up from the original 8.4-million limit.[52]

In 2014, the Orange County Board of Supervisors set the airport restrictions for 2021 at 11.8 million passengers per year. This limit was to be an increase from 10.8 million annual passengers previously.

In 2026, the annual passenger limit is expected to increase to 12.2 or 12.5 million through 2030. The higher limit will be allowed only if the number of passengers reaches 95% of the annual limit in each year between 2021 and 2025.[53]

Airlines and destinations

[edit]

Passenger

[edit]

The following airlines offer scheduled passenger service. All international arrivals (excluding flights from destinations with U.S. border preclearance) are processed in Terminal C. JSX operates from space within the ACI Jet building, an adjacent separate facility from the main passenger terminal.

AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Air Canada Vancouver [34]
Alaska Airlines Boise (begins December 19, 2024),[54] Everett, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Seattle/Tacoma,[55] Tucson [56]
Allegiant Air Austin, Boise, Eugene, Idaho Falls, Medford, Missoula, Provo
Seasonal: Des Moines 		[57]
American Airlines Austin (ends January 6, 2025),[58] Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York–JFK, Phoenix–Sky Harbor [59]
Breeze Airways Ogden,[60] Provo
Seasonal: Columbus–Glenn,[61] Grand Junction, Montrose (begins December 21, 2024),[62] Orlando, Tampa[63] 		[64]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma [65]
Delta Connection Las Vegas (begins January 2, 2025)[66] [65]
Frontier Airlines Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, San Francisco[67] [68]
JSX Concord (CA), Las Vegas, Reno/Tahoe, Scottsdale
Seasonal: Monterey[69] 		[70][19]
Southwest Airlines Austin, Dallas–Love, Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Puerto Vallarta, Sacramento, San Jose (CA), San José del Cabo
Seasonal: Houston–Hobby, Nashville, St. Louis 		[71]
Spirit Airlines Las Vegas, Oakland [72]
United Airlines Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, San Francisco [73]
United Express San Francisco [73]
WestJet Calgary, Vancouver [74]

Cargo

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Los Angeles, Memphis
UPS Airlines Louisville, Phoenix–Sky Harbor

Runways

[edit]
The shorter runway 20L at SNA, circa 2014

John Wayne Airport covers 504 acres (204 ha).[1][75] The airport has multiple general aviation facilities, an airline concourse building split into three terminal areas, and 2 paved runways.

  • Runway 2L/20R: 5,700 by 150 feet (1,737 m × 46 m), used by commercial aircraft and general aviation serving most incoming and departing traffic to the west of the airport. This runway is ILS equipped.
  • Runway 2R/20L: 2,886 by 75 feet (880 m × 23 m), used by smaller general aviation aircraft and light aircraft.

General aviation

[edit]
Private jets on the apron at John Wayne Airport at Atlantic Aviation

The airport is the home base for approximately 450 general aviation aircraft.[76][77]
The General Aviation Master Plan adopted in the early 1990s limits John Wayne Airport to two FBOs (fixed-base operator). Effective January 1, 2021, these two fixed-base operators are Clay Lacy Aviation and ACI Jet.[78] In addition to supporting fuel sales and other aircraft services, these companies lease facilities to flight training, charter, and aircraft maintenance businesses.

  • FBOs:
    ACI Jet
    Clay Lacy Aviation[79]
  • Airport businesses
    Clay Lacy Aviation[80]
    Martin Aviation Aircraft Maintenance
    HeliStream
    OC Helicopters
    Orange County Flight Center
    Regency Air
    Sunrise Aviation
    Western Avionics

Law enforcement operations

[edit]

Orange County Sheriff's Department

John Wayne Airport has been the main base for the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Air Support Unit since 1985 when the county's board of supervisors approved the purchase of two Hughes MD 500E aircraft nicknamed "Duke I" and "Duke II". In 1998, the OCSD traded their MD 500E helicopters for newer McDonnell Douglas MD 600N helicopters, becoming the first law enforcement agency to operate the MD 600N.[citation needed][further explanation needed] These helicopters were faster, quieter, and safer than the MD 500E.

The Air Support Unit currently operates of fleet of Eurocopter AS350 AStar helicopters, with a Bell UH-1 Iroquois used for search and rescue purposes.[81]

Costa Mesa Police Department

The Costa Mesa Police Department operated an aviation unit out of John Wayne Airport for 41 years. The division was called "ABLE" for Airborne Law Enforcement. ABLE disbanded in 2012; the unit's helicopters at the time of the disbandment were three Eurocopter EC120 Colibris.[citation needed]

Statistics

[edit]

Top destinations

[edit]
Busiest domestic routes from SNA
(March 2023–February 2024)[82]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Arizona 536,040 American, Southwest
2 Las Vegas, Nevada 523,070 Frontier, JSX, Southwest, Spirit
3 Seattle/Tacoma, Washington 488,570 Alaska, Delta
4 Denver, Colorado 484,710 Frontier, Southwest, United
5 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 479,590 American
6 San Francisco, California 336,610 Alaska, United
7 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 314,010 American, United
8 San Jose, California 291,250 Alaska, Southwest
9 Oakland, California 290,020 JSX, Southwest, Spirit
10 Sacramento, California 255,570 Southwest

Airline market share

[edit]
Largest airlines at SNA
(March 2023–February 2024)[82]
Rank Airline Passengers Share
1 Southwest Airlines 3,415,000 30.94%
2 American Airlines 1,851,000 16.77%
3 United Airlines 1,633,000 14.79%
4 Delta Air Lines 1,098,000 9.95%
5 Alaska Airlines 1,067,000 9.66%
Other Airlines 1,975,000 17.89%

Annual traffic

[edit]
Annual passenger traffic at SNA airport. See Wikidata query.
Annual passenger traffic (enplaned + deplaned) at SNA[83]
Year Passengers Change Year Passengers Change Year Passengers Change Year Passengers Change
1990 4,586,596 -- 2000 7,772,801 Increase 4.0% 2010 8,663,452 Decrease 0.5% 2020 3,794,850 Decrease 64.4%
1991 5,345,284 Increase 16.5% 2001 7,324,557 Decrease 5.8% 2011 8,609,008 Decrease 0.6% 2021 7,700,489 Increase 30.8%
1992 5,672,603 Increase 6.1% 2002 7,903,066 Increase 7.9% 2012 8,857,944 Increase 2.9% 2022 11,360,839 Increase 47.5%
1993 6,141,981 Increase 8.3% 2003 8,535,130 Increase 8.0% 2013 9,232,789 Increase 4.2% 2023 11,741,325 Increase 3.3%
1994 6,773,977 Increase 10.3% 2004 9,272,394 Increase 8.6% 2014 9,386,033 Increase 1.7% 2024
1995 7,159,154 Increase 5.7% 2005 9,627,032 Increase 3.8% 2015 10,180,258 Increase 8.5% 2025
1996 7,307,750 Increase 2.1% 2006 9,613,480 Decrease 0.1% 2016 10,496,511 Increase 4.6% 2026
1997 7,718,415 Increase 5.6% 2007 9,979,699 Increase 3.8% 2017 10,423,578 Decrease 0.7% 2027
1998 7,460,179 Decrease 3.3% 2008 8,989,603 Decrease 9.9% 2018 10,664,038 Increase 2.3% 2028
1999 7,470,415 Increase 0.1% 2009 8,705,199 Decrease 3.2% 2019 10,656,986 Decrease 0.1% 2029

Ground transportation

[edit]

Roads and highways

[edit]

John Wayne Airport is located next to the interchange between I-405 (San Diego Freeway) and MacArthur Boulevard. The airport is also near I-405's interchange with SR 55 (Costa Mesa Freeway). Heading south on MacArthur Boulevard from the airport provides access to SR 73 (Corona del Mar Freeway), which becomes the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor (toll road) southeast of MacArthur Boulevard.

Bus

[edit]

The airport is served by Orange County Transportation Authority ("OCTA") route 76, which runs only on weekdays from 6 am to 6 pm.

Car rental

[edit]

On-site car rentals are available in the basement level of the Parking A2/B2 garages. Off-site car rental shuttles are available at the Ground Transportation Center.

Parking

[edit]

The airport has four parking garages open in the main terminal area: A1, A2, B2 and C. Valet parking is available between at a drop off/pick up area Terminals A and B, and between Terminals B and C. An off-airport parking lot (Main Street Parking) is also available at 1512 Main Street in Irvine, with free shuttle service to the terminals.

Irvine iShuttle

[edit]

The City of Irvine's iShuttle route A serves the airport and Tustin station. The iShuttle service runs only during weekday rush hours.[84]

Taxis and private shuttles

[edit]

Taxis and private shuttles are available from the Ground Transportation Center located outside the lower level between Terminal A and B.

Transportation network companies

[edit]

Transportation network companies, Lyft, Uber and Wingz, are available. Drop-offs can be made at the departure level outside each terminal; pickups are allowed only in designated parking structure areas assigned for pickups for transportation network companies (No pickups are allowed on the arrivals or departures level.)[85]

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

On February 17, 1981, Air California (AirCal) Flight 336 (a Boeing 737-200), with 105 passengers and five crew members, was flying from San Jose, to John Wayne Airport and crashed upon initiating a go-around. The crew was cleared for a visual approach to Runway 19R while the controller had cleared a smaller plane to take off from 19R. Upon realizing that the landing aircraft might overtake the departing one, the controller ordered the flight to go around and the other aircraft to abort its takeoff, which it did. The captain of the landing Air California aircraft delayed the go-around then initiated a gear up procedure before a positive rate of climb was achieved, causing the plane to stall. The 737 then banked left at low altitude causing the left wingtip to make contact with the runway. Then the nose came down, striking the ground, and the airplane spun around and skidded down the runway before coming to rest in the margin. A fire started, but the passengers and crew exited the plane. Of the passengers, four sustained serious injuries, and 29 suffered minor injuries. The aircraft, registered N468AC, was damaged beyond repair and was written off.[86]

On December 15, 1993, a chartered IAI Westwind business jet carrying two flight crew members and three passengers (including Rich Snyder, president of In-N-Out Burger), crashed while on approach to John Wayne Airport. All five occupants were killed in the crash. The aircraft, which departed Brackett Field, 30 miles to the north in La Verne, followed a Boeing 757 for landing, became caught in the 757's wake turbulence, rolled into a deep descent, and crashed near the intersection of State Route 55 and Edinger Avenue. The crash investigation led to the FAA requirement for an adequate period between heavy aircraft and following light aircraft to allow wake turbulence to diminish.[87]

On February 13, 2017, Harrison Ford accidentally landed his Aviat Husky on taxiway C, to the left of runway 20L. A Boeing 737 was holding short of 20L on the taxiway when Ford overflew them.[88]

On June 30, 2017, a Cessna 310 twin-engine aircraft crashed short of a runway into a highway median on Interstate 405. The pilot made a mayday call shortly after taking off from John Wayne Airport and attempted to land after being cleared for emergency landing on runway 20R. Two people on board were injured in the crash.[89]

On August 5, 2018, a Cessna 414 scheduled to land at John Wayne Airport crashed into a Staples parking lot a few blocks north of the airport in nearby Santa Ana, killing at least five people.[90][91]

On January 26, 2020, a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter took off from John Wayne Airport at approximately 9:06 am PST carrying retired NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant along with his 13-year-old daughter, and 7 others bound for Camarillo Airport for a basketball event in Thousand Oaks. En route, the helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas south of U.S. Route 101, killing everyone on board. The helicopter had been seen in distress under heavy fog, according to witnesses. The cause of the crash was pilot error and spatial disorientation.[92][93][94]

On the evening of August 20, 2021, an unauthorized person bypassed security and gained access to the tarmac near Terminal C, prompting a lockdown of the airport. The suspect took control of a ground crew vehicle and drove it around before abandoning it and re-entering the terminal.[95] Police later discovered the suspect hiding in an attic space inside the terminal and took him into custody.[96]

On August 20, 2023, Alaska Airlines Flight 1288, a Boeing 737-800 under the registration N516AS suffered landing gear damage after a rough landing upon arrival at John Wayne Airport during Tropical Storm Hilary. The flight, AS1288, originated from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. A video of the landing filmed from inside the cabin and posted online showed a commotion among the passengers and sparks on the runway from the plane. No injuries were reported.[97]

On November 20, 2023, a Cessna 172 taxiing on a runway was flipped over on its high wings by the Santa Ana winds. The pilot was just outside of the plane when it flipped over and was not injured. The airfield was closed for 20 minutes while the plane was being towed away.[98]

Lyon Air Museum

[edit]

Lyon Air Museum, founded by Major General William Lyon in 2009, is located in a hangar on the west side of the airport. It focuses particularly on World War II military aircraft and vehicles. The museum hosts the Collings Foundation, an annual flight experience program, every spring, allowing the public the opportunity to fly in a historic Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress or Consolidated B-24 Liberator.[99] The air museum features a rotating selection of antique cars from General Lyon's personal collection every year for a limited time. Past features include a collection of the General's Duesenbergs and Packard collections.

Climate

[edit]

The area around John Wayne Airport has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) characteristic of coastal Southern California.

Climate data for John Wayne Airport, California (normals 1981-2010)(extremes 1999-2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 90
(32) 		90
(32) 		95
(35) 		99
(37) 		99
(37) 		96
(36) 		99
(37) 		100
(38) 		110
(43) 		106
(41) 		100
(38) 		90
(32) 		110
(43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 66.5
(19.2) 		66.3
(19.1) 		67.3
(19.6) 		69.0
(20.6) 		71.7
(22.1) 		73.6
(23.1) 		77.9
(25.5) 		80
(27) 		79.3
(26.3) 		75.2
(24.0) 		71
(22) 		65.9
(18.8) 		72
(22)
Daily mean °F (°C) 56.7
(13.7) 		57.4
(14.1) 		59.4
(15.2) 		61.4
(16.3) 		65
(18) 		67.3
(19.6) 		71.1
(21.7) 		72.6
(22.6) 		71.5
(21.9) 		67
(19) 		61.6
(16.4) 		56.1
(13.4) 		63.9
(17.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 47
(8) 		48.6
(9.2) 		51.5
(10.8) 		53.9
(12.2) 		58.3
(14.6) 		61
(16) 		64.4
(18.0) 		65.3
(18.5) 		63.8
(17.7) 		58.7
(14.8) 		52.1
(11.2) 		46.2
(7.9) 		55.9
(13.3)
Record low °F (°C) 33
(1) 		36
(2) 		41
(5) 		41
(5) 		49
(9) 		54
(12) 		57
(14) 		58
(14) 		56
(13) 		46
(8) 		37
(3) 		36
(2) 		33
(1)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.91
(74) 		2.95
(75) 		1.9
(48) 		0.89
(23) 		0.23
(5.8) 		0.08
(2.0) 		0.04
(1.0) 		0.03
(0.76) 		0.22
(5.6) 		0.75
(19) 		1.25
(32) 		2.08
(53) 		13.33
(339)
Source: NOAA[100]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b FAA Airport Form 5010 for SNA PDF, effective January 25, 2024.
  2. ^ "SNA Airport Statistics for 2023". ocair.com. John Wayne Airport, Orange County. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2024. (see 2015 YTD)
  3. ^ "SNA Airport Statistics". John Wayne Airport. January 2017. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  4. ^ "IATA Airport Code Search (SNA: Santa Ana / John Wayne)". International Air Transport Association. Archived from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  5. ^ "General Information". OCair.com. John Wayne Airport, Orange County. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  6. ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Orange County, CA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 35 (PDF p. 36/86). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023. John Wayne Airport-Orange County Arprt
  7. ^ "John Wayne Statue". OCair.com. John Wayne Airport, Orange County. June 2009. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008.
  8. ^ "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF, 2.03 MB) on September 27, 2012.
  9. ^ "Enplanements for CY 2011" (PDF, 1.7 MB). CY 2014 Passenger Boardings at Commercial Service Airports. Federal Aviation Administration. September 22, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  10. ^ "2014 North American (ACI-NA) Top 50 airports (includes Passenger, Cargo and Movements) Retrieved December 18, 2015". Airport Council International. Archived from the original (XLS, 147KB) on November 1, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: California: Central Orange County Archived August 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Members.tripod.com. Retrieved on July 21, 2013.
  12. ^ Pappy Hart Archived March 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ 1950 – 1959 The Santa Ana Drag Strip Days. They Did It For Love theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com May 25, 2009 Archived May 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "John Wayne Airport Chronology: 1923-Present" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  15. ^ Hiltzik, Michael (February 21, 2019). "It's time to take John Wayne's name off the Orange County airport". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  16. ^ Milbourn, Mary Ann (November 10, 2012). "New services clicking, JWA seeking more users". The Orange County Register. p. Business 1. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  17. ^ "California Democrats pass resolution calling for John Wayne Airport to be renamed". Fox News. June 27, 2020. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  18. ^ Griffith, Ivy (September 2020). "John Wayne Airport Cancels Contract with JSX; Can it be Saved?". Celeb Magazine. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  19. ^ a b c Flores, Luca (September 12, 2020). "JSX Banned from SNA, Asks Customers for Help". Airways Magazine. Airways International, Inc. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  20. ^ Nguyen, Lilly (December 15, 2020). "JSX files lawsuit against Orange County, John Wayne Airport after operation rights terminated". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  21. ^ Siebenmark, Jerry (December 28, 2020). "Judge Allows JSX To Temporarily Continue SNA Flights". AIN Online. The Convention News Company, Inc. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  22. ^ Whiteson, Leon (September 4, 1990). "John Wayne Airport: User Friendly: Riley Terminal Makes Getting On, Off Planes as Simple as Possible". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  23. ^ Nelson, Nicole (November–December 2011). "John Wayne Airport Adds Third Passenger Terminal". Airport Improvement Magazine. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014.
  24. ^ a b Schott, Kristen (April 6, 2010). "Air Canada starts service at JWA Thursday". OC Metro. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  25. ^ @JohnWayneAir (November 19, 2020). "John Wayne Airport on Twitter: "We have some exciting news to share! ..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 20, 2020 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Mejdrich, Kellie (December 18, 2014). "Southwest adds flights from O.C. to Mexico, Texas". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  27. ^ "Southwest Airlines To Launch Flights Between Orange County And Puerto Vallarta". Travel Agent Central. Questex. June 5, 2015. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  28. ^ Porsperi, Max (November 2, 2016). "Southwest Airlines Guts Orange County Operations". TravelUpdate. BoardingArea Network. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  29. ^ Robinson, Alicia (September 26, 2019). "Southwest to scrap Orange County-Cabo flights, trim other service at John Wayne Airport". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "WestJet is a welcome addition to John Wayne Airport". Orange County Register. May 2, 2011. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "Eureka! We have found our way back to California". August 23, 2021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  32. ^ "New O.C.-Canada flights coming from WestJet". Orange County Register. January 26, 2011. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "WestJet ends non-stop O.C.-Calgary flights". Orange County Register. April 2, 2013. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Air Canada to launch nonstop Vancouver-Santa Ana service". Travelweek. Concepts Travel Media Ltd. August 11, 2021. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  35. ^ "Air Canada to Launch Daily, Year-Round Flights from Vancouver to Orange County (Santa Ana), California". Air Canada. March 3, 2020. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  36. ^ Robinson, Alicia (November 2, 2020). "More airlines to add John Wayne Airport stops in 2021". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  37. ^ "Route suspensions due to COVID-19". Air Canada. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  38. ^ Warner, Gary (October 25, 2010). "Air Canada ending O.C. service". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  39. ^ "Nonstop now stops... here". The Seattle Times. Orange County Register. May 23, 2002. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  40. ^ Owen, Bill (November 13, 2011). "Summer Surprises – Southwest and Airtran Schedules Now Open for Sale Through August 10, 2012". Southwest Airlines blog. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011.
  41. ^ Liu, Jim (October 18, 2016). "Southwest ends Orange County – Mexico City operation in Jan 2017". Routes Online. Informa PLC. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  42. ^ Leinfelder, Andrea (January 24, 2019). "Southwest Airlines discontinuing flights to Mexico City in March (subscription required)". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  43. ^ Warner, Gary A. (September 12, 2012). "Interjet gets county approval to operate from JWA". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  44. ^ Warner, Gary A. (September 7, 2012). "Mexican airline passes JWA noise test". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  45. ^ a b Ann Milbourn, Mary (June 13, 2014). "Interjet ends Mexico flights at John Wayne". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on June 16, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  46. ^ "Alaska Airlines - Ready, set, jet! See our newest routes..." Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via Facebook.
  47. ^ MADANS, HANNAH (March 10, 2015). "Alaska Airlines wants to offer more flights to Mexico from John Wayne Airport". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  48. ^ Liu, Jim (May 16, 2019). "Alaska Airlines discontinues Orange County – Mexico service in August 2019". Routes Online. Informa PLC. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  49. ^ Maio, Pat (September 12, 2014). "Mexican discount airline Volaris targets L.A. area". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  50. ^ a b "Quarterly Noise Abatement Reports". OCair.com. John Wayne Airport, Orange County. Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  51. ^ a b c "Steep takeoffs land JWA on 'scariest airports' list". Orange County Register. July 20, 2012. Archived from the original on May 26, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  52. ^ Richards, Jodi (March–April 2011). "$48.5 million parking structure at John Wayne Airport is braced for the future". Airport Improvement. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  53. ^ Coker, Matt (October 1, 2014). "John Wayne Airport curfews remain through 2035 but flight increases will come ... someday". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  54. ^ "Alaska Adds 18 New Routes". Airline Geeks. July 10, 2024. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  55. ^ "Alaska Airlines Schedules Orange County – Tucson Dec 2023 Launch". Aeroroutes. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  56. ^ Airlines, Alaska. "Flight Timetable". Alaska Airlines. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  57. ^ Route announcements allegiantair.com
  58. ^ "American Airlines Downsizes Austin Network in NW24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  59. ^ "Flight schedules and notifications". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  60. ^ "Breeze Airways to add new Ogden flights, restoring airport's commercial service". KSL. November 29, 2023. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  61. ^ "Breeze Airlines announces continuation of seasonal summer service from Columbus to California". Spectrum News 1. December 12, 2023. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  62. ^ "Breeze Airways Adds New Routes to Las Vegas, Florida, and More — With 35% Off Flights for a Limited Time". July 10, 2024. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  63. ^ "Breeze Airways Announces 11 New Routes and 3 New Cities". January 23, 2024. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  64. ^ "Breeze Airways Destinations". Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  65. ^ a b "FLIGHT SCHEDULES". Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  66. ^ "American Airlines to Restart New York - Las Vegas Flight with 737". July 21, 2024. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  67. ^ "Frontier Adds New Service to New York-JFK, Resumes Newark Flights". Airline Geeks. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  68. ^ "Frontier". Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  69. ^ "Premium Air Carrier, JSX, Relaunches Popular Seasonal Flights to Monterey from Burbank and Orange County Starting June 27, 2024". April 18, 2024. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  70. ^ Destinations jsx.com Archived August 9, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  71. ^ "Check Flight Schedules". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  72. ^ "Book Flights to Orange County SNA | Spirit Airlines". Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  73. ^ a b "Timetable". Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  74. ^ "Flight schedules". Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  75. ^ "SNA Airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  76. ^ General Information ocair.com Archived May 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  77. ^ Davis, Hillary (May 22, 2019). "Pilots of small planes try to protect their place at John Wayne Airport". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  78. ^ "Orange County approves 35-year leases for JWA small-plane service facilities". Orange County Register, September 15, 2020. [1] Archived January 17, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  79. ^ "Clay Lacy Aviation Awarded FBO Lease at John Wayne Airport, Orange County", Yahoo! News, September 23, 2020 Clay Lacy Aviation awarded yahoo.com Archived October 26, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  80. ^ ""Serving Orange County", Clay Lacy Aviation". Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  81. ^ "Orange County, California - Aviation Support Unit". Orange County Sheriff's Department. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  82. ^ a b "RITA BTS Transtats". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  83. ^ "JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT POSTS STATISTICS - John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA), Located in Southern California - official website". John Wayne Airport. March 2019. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  84. ^ "Route Info". IrvineShuttle.net. City of Irvine. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008.
  85. ^ "App-Based Rideshare". John Wayne Airport Official Website. June 6, 2021. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  86. ^ "Aircraft Accident Report / Air California Flight 336 / Boeing 737/293, N468AC / John Wayne Orange County Airport / Santa Ana, California / February 17, 1981 / NTSB-AAR-81-12" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. August 19, 1981. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  87. ^ "Incident Report – Israel Aircraft Industries LAX94FA073 – December 15, 1993". National Transportation Safety Board. 1993. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  88. ^ Schwebke, Scott (February 14, 2017). "Harrison Ford lands plane on taxiway instead of runway, flies over passenger jet at John Wayne Airport". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  89. ^ "Two Hospitalized After Fiery Plane Crash on 405 Freeway". NBC Southern California. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  90. ^ "5 killed when small plane crashes in Santa Ana parking lot near South Coast Plaza, police say". KABC-TV. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  91. ^ "Flight history for aircraft - N727RP". Flightradar24. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  92. ^ Barnes, Mike; Kilkenny, Katie (January 26, 2020). "Kobe Bryant, NBA Superstar and Oscar Winner, Dies in Helicopter Crash". The Hollywood Reporter. Promethus Global Media. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  93. ^ Cohen, Ben; Ailworth, Erin (January 27, 2020). "The Last Flight of Kobe Bryant's Life". The Wall Street Journal. New York. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  94. ^ "Investigators report Kobe Bryant's pilot got disoriented in clouds". February 9, 2021. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  95. ^ "Man detained after seizing vehicle on tarmac at John Wayne Airport, prompting lockdown". Ktla. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  96. ^ "Suspect found in ceiling, arrested after John Wayne Airport in OC placed on lockdown". ABC 7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  97. ^ Accident description for N516AS at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on June 19, 2024.
  98. ^ City News Service (November 20, 2023). "Wind gust flips over small plane at John Wayne Airport". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  99. ^ "The Collings Foundation – Wings of Freedom Tour". Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  100. ^ "Santa Ana John Wayne AP - NWS San Diego NOAA Online Weather Data". NOAA. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Wayne_Airport&oldid=1252573696"