When you’re booking flights to and from the Los Angeles or San Diego areas, you may see options come up for John Wayne Airport (SNA). This airport is located about an hour south of Los Angeles (or more depending on traffic) in the Orange County city of Santa Ana.
It’s significantly smaller and less chaotic than LAX. As a Southern California native, I love it as a calmer alternative. SNA is a popular hub for business travelers, but it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a less stressful travel day. If you find yourself flying through SNA, these expert tips will help you navigate the airport with ease.
Getting to and from John Wayne Airport
One of the major perks of being a smaller airport is that getting to and from SNA is normally a breeze with no crazy airport traffic to deal with.
If you're in the Orange County area, a rideshare like Uber can drop you off right at the curb in front of your terminal. When you arrive, you’ll find app-based rideshare pick-up zones on the upper levels of Parking Structures A2 and B2, and in the Terminal C parking structure (upper level next to the ticketing area).
You’ll find car rental counters in the lower arrivals area between Terminals A and B, right across from the iconic John Wayne statue. To pick up and return your rental, just head to Level 0 of parking lots A2 and B2.
Private shuttles, hotel shuttles and group shuttles are available from the Ground Transportation Center, but you’ll need to make reservations at least 24 hours ahead of time. If you’re on a budget, OCTA Route 76 serves the airport with a stop in front of Terminal B on the Arrival (lower) Level, running Monday through Friday from approximately 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Just be warned, it’ll take much longer to get anywhere, and it might not be a good choice if you’re hauling a lot of luggage.
Parking at SNA
You’ll find both terminal and off-site parking with EV charging stations available in all three terminal parking structures. There are super convenient lots located right across from the terminals, though they cost more due to their location.
You can pay per hour or the full daily maximum, and you can reserve spots online ahead of time. That said, I’ve never found reservations necessary here.
If you’re in a hurry or just want to splurge, there’s a curbside valet option at the upper curbside at Terminals A and C. Just hop out with your luggage and someone else will park your car and have it ready for you when you get back.
For a more affordable long-term option, the Main Street Parking lot at 1512 Main Street costs $20 per day and offers free shuttle service. The shuttles run every 15 minutes from 4:30 a.m. to midnight, so be sure to factor in a little extra waiting time.
Terminals at SNA
Terminal A serves American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, WestJet and Breeze Airways at Gates 1 to 8. If you’re traveling with a pet, there’s an animal relief area outside of the arrivals area here. And if you get hungry, don’t miss my personal favorite, Ruby’s Diner. It’s an iconic SoCal spot located between Gates 8 and 9.
You’ll find Alaska Airlines and United Airlines at Gates 9 to 14 in Terminal B. This terminal has a nursing mother’s lounge between Gates 11 and 12 and a Hoag Fly Well Clinic across from Gate 10 for health services. You’ll also find another animal relief area past security near Gate 12.
Terminal C is the newest addition for international arrivals. It’s also where you’ll go for Southwest, Frontier, Allegiant Air or Spirit Airlines flights from Gates 15 to 22.
All three terminals have restaurants, shops (including a coffee shop in each) and free Wi-Fi throughout. The compact layout means you’ll never get lost.
This compact layout means you’re free to explore the whole airport while waiting for your flight - something I regularly do to check out dining options in other terminals.
Security at John Wayne Airport
Another perk of being a smaller airport is that it’s hardly ever super crowded. Unlike at LAX, I’ve never waited longer than 10 minutes. TSA PreCheck is available at each of the three terminals, though checkpoint availability and hours can vary, and you may be directed to another checkpoint.
Here’s a pro tip: if the security line at your terminal looks unusually slow, just walk a couple of minutes to the checkpoint at the next terminal over. Since the airport is so compact, it doesn’t matter which one you use to enter.
And for a real insider trick: SNA is one of the few airports that lets non-flyers past security to see off or greet loved ones at the gate. To do this, you’ll need to get an OC AirPASS. Just head to an information booth near baggage claim in any terminal between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. and show a valid REAL ID-compliant ID. Once approved, you’ll get a pass to take through the normal security line. Just remember you can only bring one personal item - hand luggage is not allowed.
Airline lounges at John Wayne Airport
While it’s not a massive airport, SNA still has a couple of lounges where you can relax before your flight. You can find the American Airlines Admirals Club on the Mezzanine level adjacent to Gate 8 in Terminal A and the United Club lounge near Gate 9 in Terminal B. If you’re not a member but want to get in, you can usually purchase a day pass as long as there’s space - the Admirals Club One-Day Pass costs $79 or 7,900 miles.
Word to the wise: The day pass for the United Club lounge is less than the American Airlines Admirals Club admission.
There’s also a second lounge in Terminal B, the Bob Hope USO Lounge, which is open exclusively to active and reserve military members, veterans and their families. It’s stocked with food, drinks, video games and movies.
Alternative airports to SNA
If you’re traveling internationally beyond Mexico or Canada or you’re hunting for great flight prices, SNA might not be your final answer. There are three other airports in the area to consider.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sits about an hour or more north of SNA. Tickets out of LAX are generally cheaper, but you’ll pay in time and stress - security lines can feel endless, parking in the Central Terminal Area garages costs up to $60 daily unless you use the more distant Economy Lot at $35 per day, and traffic is almost guaranteed to be brutal.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is another international option about an hour south of SNA. Finally, Long Beach Airport (LGB) is a smaller airport similar to SNA, located nearby. Southwest has a significant presence there, so if you fly that airline often, you might find better rates there.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
