IFATC At Home - Thunderbolt
With Sunday brings a fun, creative idea to the table. Tyler has allowed us to open airports in our homelands, allow us to represent who we are as people, as a group, and as an organization. With so many options, including the ever-so-popular LAX, it was hard for me to make a decision. However, after much thought, I have made my decision. I will be opening San Diego International Airport!
San Diego International Airport (SAN/KSAN) is the busiest single runway airport in the United States and the third-busiest in the world, behind Mumbai and London Gatwick. It is located 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) northwest of Downtown San Diego, California, United States. This airport is also the largest metropolitan airport in the United States without an airline hub. However, San Diego is a focus city for Alaska Airlines.
My Connection
I know I live up the coast in Orange County, and airports such as KLGB, KSNA, or KONT would be better choices. However, it came down to variety. I wanted an airport for people to fly in from everywhere, and San Diego fit the best. LAX was removed from the running, because, you know why. LAX is too popular to begin with, and we at IFATC want to feature everyone’s airports. If LAX was opened, no one else would get any traffic.
Anyways, back to my connection. I have been to San Diego countless amounts of times, for hockey, vacationing, and even to pick up our puppy from the breeder. I have a significant connection with San Diego because of the great city that it is. Everyone there is friendly, it’s clean, and it’s fun! San Diego is a great city, for food, entertainment, and just general relaxation. San Diego, in my opinion, is just a great all-around city, that exemplifies all the qualities of a great city. Also, my uncle does live in San Diego, but that’s not as important.
KSAN Airport Information
San Diego is a focus city for Alaska Airlines. There are two terminals at KSAN, each divided into west and east concourses. Terminal 1 East (Gates 1-10) is dominated by Southwest. Terminal 1 West (11-18) also has a significant Southwest presence. However, other low cost carriers, such as Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, Spirit, as well as jetBlue, operate out of this concourse. Terminal 2 East (20-32) is where American and Alaska operate from. Terminal 2 West (33-51) is where you’ll see Delta, Hawaiian, and United, along with international carriers such as Japan Airlines, British Airways, Air Canada, and Lufthansa.
Airport Elevation: 17 feet MSL
Active Runway: More than likely 27
| Runway | Dimensions | Heading (True) | Elevation | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 9400 x 200 ft | 095 or 275 | 15 ft | Asphalt/Concrete |
Suggested Routes
Short Haul
-
Route: San Diego-San Jose [KSAN-KSJC]
-
Flight Time: 1:10
-
Equipment: Southwest 737-700/737-800
-
FPL: KSAN WNFLD KERNL GYWNN PADRZ 3348N/11835W IKAYE TESEA SCTRR 3553N/12051W TROXX SILCN VLLEY KLIDE KSJC
Medium Haul
-
Route: San Diego-Kahului/Maui
-
Flight Time: 5:40
-
Equipment: Alaska 737-900
-
FPL: KSAN WNFLD KERNL GYWNN PADRZ SXC 3302N/11852W MALIT ROSIN FICKY FOOTS ETECO DIALO DUSAC DRAYK DENNS DEKUM 2137N/15511W HAIKU HOMAI COEST HARPO CAMPS PHOG
Long Haul
-
Route: San Diego-London
-
Flight Time: 10:10
-
Equipment: British Airways 747-400
-
FPL: KSAN JETTI ZZOOO JORRJ GRIDR PIEZZ NSHEE MTBAL 3342N/11555W EED KD42Q KD51U KD63A KP75G KG84K SSM YWK FOXXE HOIST 5700N/5000W 5900N/4000W 6000N/3000W 5800N/2000W PIKIL SOVED LUTOV KELLY CASEL PENIL WAL EKLAD 5312N/243W MOGTA NANTI NUGRA TOBID SOPIT 5151N/058W BNN 5129N/010W EGLL
Fun Fact: Did you know that British Airways used to have a fifth-freedom flight on the 747 from EGLL-KPHX-KSAN?
Opening Details
This happens to be my mom’s birthday. However, you can expect me to be open for a majority of the day. I will not guarantee that any time will be open. I do expect to be open from 1200Z to 1330z, and possibly from 1630z to undetermined. I will update the thread if I have updates and/or changes. I will be providing METAR info and active runways, along with any relevant NOTAMs at the time of opening in this thread.
I know it’s a lot, but thanks for reading. I hope to see you all this Sunday!
Also, please stay safe, and have fun flying!
-Thunderbolt
