Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California that is famous for the California gold rush, food culture, historical scenes, vibrant arts, and rich agriculture.
If you are traveling to or from Sacramento CA, having access to reliable airport information is essential. So, we have prepared this detailed blog on Airports in Sacramento California covering information about the airports, and travel guides.
This article provides you with everything you need to know about the airports in Sacramento whether you are a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What are the major airports in Sacramento California?
Sacramento is home to some important international, regional, and private airports. You can find more than 5 airports in, and nearby the city of California.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the primary commercial international airport in the region while there are other smaller airports including Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), McCella Airfield (MCC), Mather Airport (MHR), and more.
Now, let’s explore these airports in detail.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Sacramento Int’l Airport (ICAO: KSMF, IATA: SMF, FAA LID: SMF) is the only primary international airport in Sacramento, California that is located approximately 10 miles Northwest of downtown Sacramento. The airport serves more than 10 million annual passengers.
SMF is owned by the County of Sacramento, and operated by the Sacramento County Airport System. Located at an elevation of 27 ft (8 m) AMSL, the airport serves the Greater Sacramento Area in the U.S. state of California.
A total of 13 commercial passenger airlines, and 4 cargo carriers operate regular flights to and from SMF Airport connecting domestic, and international routes.
SMF Airport Infrastructure
Sacramento Airport covers a total area of 6,000 acres (2,400 ha), and features two concrete runways: RWY 17L/35R (8,605 ft. long), and RWY 17R/35L (8,600 ft. long).
Regarding terminal facilities, you can find two terminals at SMF Airport: Terminal A, and Terminal B. There are a total of 32 gates incorporated into the two terminals. Terminal A holds 12 gates whereas 19 gates can be found in Terminal B.
Both terminals offer a variety of facilities and services to make your travel experience as comfortable as possible. Some major facilities available at the terminals are listed below.
- Restaurants and cafes
- Retail stores and duty-free shops
- Free Wi-Fi
- ATMs and currency exchange services
- Charging stations and workstations
- Lost and found services
- Pet relief areas
Terminal A
- Airlines – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Air Canada
- Basic Terminal Facilities – Airline Check-in, TSA Checkpoint, Baggage Claim, Elevator, Escalator, Courtesy/TDD Phone, Vending/ATM Machines, Nursing Lounge, Restroom, and Pet Relief.
- Parking – Garage Parking, Daily Lot, Hourly Parking, East Economy Parking, and West Economy Parking
- Ground Transportation – Hotel Shuttles, Limousines, SuperShuttle, Off Airport Taxis & Shuttles, and App-Based Ride Shares.
- Shopping Options – InMotion Entertainment, Ease, Kylie Cosmetics Kiosk, Mobile Accessories & Clean Trave Kiosk, PopSox, The Wall, Travel + Well, and Vino Volo.
- Dining OPtions – Escape Lounge, Freshii’s, Illy Coffee Kiosk, Iron Horse Tavern, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Squeeze Burger, Starbucks, Taylors by Vino Volo, and Vino Volo.
Terminal B
- Airlines – Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Volaris.
- Basic Terminal Facilities – Airline Check-in, TSA Checkpoint, Baggage Claim, Automated People Mover (APM), Elevator, Escalator Courtesy/TDD Phone, Vending/ATM Machines, Nursing Lounge, Restroom, Help Desk and Pet Relief.
- Parking – Garage Parking, Daily Lot, Hourly Parking, East Economy Parking, and West Economy Parking
- Ground Transportation – Hotel Shuttles, Limousines, SuperShuttle, Off Airport Taxis & Shuttles, and App-Based Ride Shares.
- Shopping Options – Brighton, Clean & Safe Travels Kiosk, DOCO Market, Farm to Fork to Sky Market, InMotion Entertainment, Kylie Cosmetics Kiosk, Lego Kiosk, Mobile Accessories Kiosk, No Boundaries, Sactown Magazine Market, The Gallery at SMF, Travel + Well, and Vino Volo.
- Dining Options – Burgers and Brew, Cafeteria 15L, Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters, Escape Lounges, Esquire Grill, Famous Famiglia, Farm to Fort to Sky Kiosk, Illy Coffee Kiosk, Mango Taco, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Starbucks, Urban Crave Express, and Vino Volo.
Airlines Operating at SMF Airport
The major passenger airlines operating flights to and from SMF Airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Volaris.
Cargo operates at the airport are Alaska/Horizon Airlines Cargo, American Airlines Cargo, Delta Air Lines Cargo, Federal Express Cargo, Southwest Airlines Cargo, and United Airlines Cargo.
The passenger airlines at SFM offer nonstop, and direct flights covering North American destinations, and connecting flights to almost anywhere worldwide.
Top 10 Non-Stop Destinations from SMF Airport
| BUSIEST DESTINATIONS FROM SMF | OPERATING AIRLINES |
| San Diego (SAN) | Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines |
| Denver (DEN) | Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines |
| Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) | Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines |
| Phoenix–Sky Harbor (PHX) | American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines |
| Orange County (SNA) | Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines |
| Burbank (BUR) | Southwest Airlines |
| Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) | American Airlines |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines |
SMF Airport Travel Tips
Here are some important travel tips which you can follow for a hassle-free travel experience at Sacramento International Airport (SMF).
- It is always recommended to arrive early at the airport so you will get enough time for check-in, security screening, and reaching the boarding gate. SMF Airport advises passengers to arrive at least 2 hours before their scheduled departure.
- Make sure you are aware of the airline terminal from where you will depart from. The terminal, and gate information are available after you book a ticket with your airline.
- You must follow security guidelines at SMF airport which include TSA Guidelines such as baggage policy, restricted items, and so on.
- You can find various restaurants and retail shops at the SMF Terminals. If you have some extra time before your flight, check out the shops, and food courts.
- Always keep important documents ready because you will require them when passing through security.
- SMF Airport offers various ground transportation facilities including shuttle buses, airport taxis, rental cars, ride-sharing services, and more. Check the airport’s website for available services, and fares.
- If you’re driving to the airport, you can reserve a parking spot in advance to save time, and money.
If you are traveling with your pets, make sure you are following the pet travel policies of the respective airlines. For detailed information on pet travel policies, you can refer to the following articles.
- American Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- Delta Air Lines Pet Travel Policy
- Frontier Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- JetBlue Pet Travel Policy
- Southwest Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- Spirit Airlines Pet Travel Policy
- United Airlines Pet Travel Policy
Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC)
Sacramento Executive Airport (ICAO: KSAC, IATA: SAC, FAA LID: SAC) is a general aviation reliever airport for Sacramento International Airport (SMF). The airport used to operate commercial airline services until October 1967 when all operations moved to the newly-opened SMF Airport.
The airport covers a total area of 540 acres (219 ha), and features two runways: RWY 2/20 (5,503 ft. long), and RWY 12/30 (3,837 ft. long).
SAC Airport is operated by the Sacramento County Airport System, and offers general aviation services like aviation-related businesses, aircraft maintenance, hangar spaces, FBOs, flight schools, aerial photography, and more.
Some major services of the SAC Airport are listed below.
- Tie-downs and hangar space
- Pilot’s Lounge
- FBO and line services
- Self-serve 100 LL Avgas, Jet A
- Meeting rooms available in the terminal and FBO
- Contract control tower 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (SERCO)
- Free 72-hour automobile parking
- Aviators Restaurant serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week and dinner Friday and Saturday nights.
Sacramento Mather Airport (MHR)
Sacramento Mather Airport (ICAO: KMHR, IATA: MHR, FAA LID: MHR) is another general aviation airport in the region owned, and operated by the Sacramento County Airport System.
MHR Airport occupies a total area of 2,875 acres (1,163 ha), and features two asphalt/concrete runways: RWY 04R/22L (11,301 ft. long), and RWY 04L/22R (6,081 ft. long). Plus, there are two helipads: H1 (30 x 30 ft.), and H2 (100 x 100 ft.).
Mather Airport facilitates aviation-related businesses including a full-service FBO, aviation maintenance, aviation education, and more.
Major attractions of the MHR Airport
- One of the longest runways on the West Coast: 11,300′
- Pilot’s lounge
- Full-service fixed-base operator (FBO)
- Meeting rooms available in the terminal and FBO
- 24-hour Air Traffic Control tower
- Free, 72-hour automobile parking
Sacramento McClellan Airfield (MCC)
Sacramento McClellan Airfield (ICAO: KMCC, IATA: MCC, FAA LID: MCC) is also among the general aviation airports in Sacramento California located 10 miles Northeast of Downtown Sacramento.
MCC serves as a reliever airport for Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and primarily handles general aviation and business aviation traffic.
The airport infrastructure features a single concrete Runway 16/34 (10,599 ft. long), and four helipads (H1, H2, H3, and H4).
MCC is also home to several aviation-related businesses, including aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, aircraft parts suppliers, and flight schools. The airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has no commercial airline service.
We explored all the major airports in Sacramento California. Now, let’s find out some important nearby airports to Sacramento, CA.
What are the nearest airports to Sacramento California?
In addition to the airports we discussed above, there are various nearby airports to Sacramento City including international, domestic, and local airports.
Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS), and Normay Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) are the major commercial airports near Sacramento.
| AIRPORTS NEAR SACRAMENTO, CA | DISTANCE FROM SACRAMENTO, CA | ESTIMATED DRIVING TIME |
| Oakland International Airport (OAK) | 90.1 miles | 1 hour 27 minutes |
| San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | 97.3 miles | 1 hour 34 minutes |
| Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS) | 105 miles | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) | 117 miles | 1 hour 55 minutes |
Conclusion on Airports in Sacramento California
In conclusion, the airports in Sacramento California are an essential part of the city’s transportation infrastructure. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the only primary commercial airport served by commercial passenger airlines operating non-stop, and connecting flights worldwide.
If you are traveling to Sacramento, your best choice would be the SMF Airport because it is the nearest airport to the city, and is served by major domestic, and international airlines. Other airports in the city are general aviation reliever airfields.
You can also choose nearby airports like OAK, SFO, and SJC only if you love traveling via the highway, or if there is an operation halt at SMF Airport.
FAQs on Airports in Sacramento California
How many airports are there in Sacramento?
There is only one primary commercial airport in Sacramento which is known as Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Besides, there are other general aviation reliever airports including Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), Sacramento Mather Airport (MHR), and Sacramento McClellan Airport (MCC).
What is the main airport in Sacramento CA?
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is the main airport in Sacramento CA as it offers regular non-stop, and connecting flights to various domestic, and international destinations. A total of 13 commercial passenger airlines, and 4+ cargo carriers operate regular flights to and from the airport.
Which Sacramento Airport is better?
If you are traveling to Sacramento, your best choice is Sacramento International Airport (SMF) because it is the only commercial airport that serves the city with regular passenger, and cargo flights.
Is Sacramento a big airport?
Sacramento Airport (SMF) covers a total area of 6,000 acres (2,400 ha), and features two terminals with 32 gates. The airport handles more than 10 million passengers annually. So, it is considered a medium-sized airport.
