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Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport (SNA) Guide

Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport (SNA) is among the best airports in the U.S. and travelers love how easy it is to travel to and from SNA. The Thomas F. Riley Terminal includes Terminals A, B, and C, each with its own ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage claim areas.

This airport provides an easier airport experience than its larger Southern California neighbors, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with convenient access to the Anaheim Convention Center, Disneyland and many more Southern California locations.

If you’re looking for the Orange County Airport you’ve found the right place. Orange County Airport was renamed John Wayne Airport in 1979 and it’s located in Santa Ana which is why it’s also called the Santa Ana Airport and has the SNA airport code.

Below you’ll find information on airport services and amenities – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, parking and transportation, restaurants, nearby hotels, tips, FAQs and everything in between.

John Wayne Airport

John Wayne Airport Orange County

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Terminal Map | Ground Transportation Map | Parking Map

Thomas F. Riley Terminal Address: 18601 Airport Way · Santa Ana, CA 92707
Customer Relations Phone: (949) 252-5200
Email: [email protected]

John Wayne Airport Code: SNA
SNA Airport Hours: Open 24 Hours (terminal access is closed when TSA is closed)
TSA Security Hours
Opens around 5:00 to 5:30 AM depending on first flight.
Closes around 10 PM after the last flight.
Valet Hours: 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM


Airport Amenities & Services

Terminal Map

John Wayne Airport features full-service restaurants, quick sit-down dining, and “grab-and-go” food from a variety of local and national options. Retail, news and specialty items can be found in several locations throughout. You can also explore the public art collection and rotating exhibits and enjoy live music and trained therapy dogs. Additional amenities include currency exchanges, nursing mother’s lounge, animal relief areas, on-site health care services, wheelchair assistance, baggage carts, information desks, ATMs, water refill stations and escalators.

  • Free Wi-Fi: Look for JWAFREEWIFI in your device’s available wireless networks list and sign-in.
  • There are many easily accessible electrical outlets, USB ports and workstations located throughout the airport.
  • Smoking is only allowed in dedicated areas outside the terminal building.
  • There are no lockers located in the terminal.
  • Lost & Found: If you lost an item contact Airport Police Services at (949) 252-5140 for help. Inquiries concerning items lost on an airplane or at the Gate should be directed to the airline.
  • Tours of John Wayne Airport are free to the public and are available for groups of seven to 25 participants.
  • There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. No showers as well.
  • Airport guests are also invited to sit down and play the Avant Grand piano located post-security on the upper level between Terminals A and B.

Airline Club Lounges

  • American Airlines Admirals Club: The Admirals Club can be accessed via the elevator across from Gate #8.
  • United Airlines United Club: The United Club lounge can be accessed via the elevator across from Gate #9 and is open 5:30am – 8:30pm.
  • Bob Hope USO: Features a stocked canteen, movies and video games, travel assistance and Wi-Fi at no cost to troops and eligible guests. Active and reserve members and their dependents are welcome, as well as military retirees on a space available basis. Located at Terminal B, on the Arrival (lower) Level next to Baggage Carousel 4.

OC AirPass

Guests without a boarding pass can access the secure areas of SNA with an OC AirPASS (post-security access pass) to shop, dine, watch planes, view art exhibits, and greet friends and relatives when they arrive at the gate or accompany them before their flight.


Parking

Parking Map

There are 4 main on-airport parking lots, 2 curbside valet stations, plus lower rate off-airport parking with a courtesy shuttle every 15 minutes. As you enter SNA, terminal A is first, then B and C.

Curbside Valet Parking: There are two located Departure (upper) Level in front of the Terminal on the right side. The first valet station is best for Terminal A or B and the second one is best for Terminal B or C.

Parking structure entrances are on the Departure (upper) Level only.

Parking Lot A1/A2: Best for Terminal A. A1 is on the right as you enter the airport and A2 is on the left.

Parking Lot B2: Best for Terminal B. Parking Lot B is on the left side as you’re driving.

Parking Lot C: Best for Terminal C. Parking Lot C can only be accessed from upper level arrivals and is at the very end, on the right side as you’re driving.

Off-Airport Parking (1512 Main Street, Irvine, CA 92614): Courtesy shuttle service to and from the airport is available every 15 minutes between 4:30 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. Shuttle buses are lift-equipped. Shuttle pick-up locations are located at the Ground Transportation Center and in front of Terminal C Arrival (lower) Level.

EV Charing Stations: Electric vehicle (EV) chargers are available in all parking structures plus Main Street parking.


Transportation

Ground Transportation Map

Rental Cars

On-site rental car companies offer convenient services at the Terminal. Rental car counters are located on the Arrival (lower) Level, between Terminals A and B, across from the John Wayne statue. Rental car pick-up and return is located on level “0” of Parking Structures A2 and B2.

Rental Car Companies

  • Alamo Rent A Car
  • Avis Car Rental
  • Budget Rent A Car
  • Dollar Rent A Car
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  • Hertz Rent A Car
  • National Car Rental
  • Thrifty Car Rental

There are also off-site rental car companies with shuttles to their location.

Buses & Trains

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Route 76 services John Wayne Airport. The bus stop is located on the Arrival (lower) Level, curbside, in front of Terminal B.

Shuttles

Shuttle service is available in the Ground Transportation Center located on the Arrival (lower) Level between Terminals A and B.

Taxis

Taxis can be found in the Ground Transportation Center located on the Arrival (lower) Level between Terminals A and B, and in Terminal C near Column 14 on the Arrival Level.

Rideshare

App-Based Rideshares such as Lyft, Uber and Wingz, provide drop-off and pick-up services at John Wayne Airport.

Drop-Off: App-Based Rideshares are authorized to drop off passengers at the Departures (upper) Level at curbside of the Terminal.

Pick-Up: App-Based Rideshares must pick up passengers at the designated areas located on the top levels of parking structures A2 and B2, and in the Terminal C parking structure on the upper level next to the ticketing area.


Hotels Near John Wayne Airport

John Wayne Airport is centrally located in Orange County and there are many hotels nearby. Although the airport is located in Santa Ana driving mere blocks places one in Irvine, Costa Mesa or Newport Beach. Here are hotel options within blocks of John Wayne Airport.

  • Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport
  • Extended Stay America – John Wayne Airport
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport
  • Hilton Garden Inn Irvine/Orange County Airport
  • Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport
  • Hyatt House Irvine/John Wayne Airport
  • Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport
  • Irvine Marriott
  • Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
  • Sonesta Irvine
  • Travelodge by Wyndham Orange County Airport

JWA Annual Airport Statistics

  • Total Passengers: 11.38 million
  • Total Flights: 304,676
  • Average Load Factor: 81%

JWA Estimated 2022 totals

Future Plans

  • eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off & Landing Vehicle) – JWA is developing plans to implement infrastructure to support eVTOL.
  • 100 Years of flight from Orange County Celebration
  • Air Academy Program – 6 week citizens program to learn about the airport.
  • Common Use Lounge – Open to public for a fee.
  • CLEAR Pilot Program
  • Escalator & Elevator Replacement
  • Phase I Baggage Handling System Replacement

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Orange County Airport called SNA?
John Wayne Airport as it’s officially known is called SNA because it’s IATA is SNA for Santa Ana.

Is Orange County Airport the same as John Wayne?
Orange County, Santa Ana and John Wayne airport are all the same airport. Orange County Airport, was renamed John Wayne Airport in 1979 and it’s located in the City of Santa Ana.

What airport is SNA Orange County?
The IATA code or airport code SNA is for John Wayne Airport, formerly called Orange County Airport, located in Santa Ana.

Can you walk between terminals at SNA?
John Wayne Airport is very easy to quickly navigate between terminals. Terminals A, B and C all feel like one large terminal with a single walkway.

What time do planes stop flying at John Wayne Airport?
Departures are prohibited after 10:00 p.m. PST and arrivals are prohibited after 11:00 p.m. PST. Arrivals and departures can start at 7:00 a.m. PST (8:00 a.m. PST on Sundays).

What time does SNA airport open?
John Wayne Airport is open 24 hours however access is not allowed past TSA security once closed. TSA opens around 5:00 to 5:30 a.m. depending on the first flight and closes around 10 p.m. after the last flight.

What time is the curfew at SNA?
Departures are prohibited after 10 p.m., and airplanes must arrive by 11 p.m. If the curfew is missed by an airline they must get late arrival approval or divert to another airport such as LAX.

How far apart are LAX and SNA?
LAX and SNA are approximately 36 miles apart and depending on traffic, travel times may be greater.

What airlines fly out of SNA?
Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JSX, Southwest, Spirit, United and WestJet.

What terminal is Southwest in at John Wayne Airport?
Southwest is in Terminal C which is the last terminal as you enter Arrivals or Departures. Parking Lot C or the second curbside valet stand is best for parking.

How far is John Wayne airport from Disneyland?
The distance between Santa Ana Airport (SNA) and Disneyland is 10 miles and the road distance is about 15 miles.

Is LAX or SNA closer to Disneyland?
SNA (15 miles) is closer to Disneyland than LAX (40 miles). This does not account for Los Angeles traffic and LAX terminal congestion which can increase time to arrive at Disneyland.

Is there a free Disneyland shuttle from SNA?
There are no free shuttles to Disneyland from John Wayne Airport. Some hotels near Disneyland offer free shuttles to guests.

Can I go through airport security without a boarding pass?
Guests without a boarding pass can access the secure areas of SNA with an OC AirPASS (post-security access pass) to shop, dine, watch planes, view art exhibits, and greet friends and relatives when they arrive at the gate or accompany them before their flight.

Does SNA have CLEAR?
John Wayne does not have CLEAR service. According to JWA a CLEAR pilot program (27:45 of video) CLEAR was expected to be launched by mid-year 2023 but that date has passed with no update since.

Can a 747 land at SNA?
The Boeing 747 cannot land at John Wayne Airport due to runway restrictions.

How far is John Wayne Airport SNA from the beach?
The beach on Balboa peninsula in Newport Beach is the closest at about 6 miles away. Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, respectively, are the next closest beaches at about 7-15 miles away.


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Joe Wallace
Joe Wallace has been covering real estate, mortgage and financial topics since 1995. His work has appeared on ABC, USA Today, The Pentagon Channel, Veteran.com plus a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News.