Key Highlights
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At Long Beach Airport, you get to use a special open-air main terminal. This lets you enjoy Southern California’s nice weather while you travel.
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You will have a good customer experience with much shorter lines. The relaxed setting makes it feel more like a small resort than a big, crowded hub.
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Some of the best airlines, like Southwest and Hawaiian, fly direct from here to many places in the United States.
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The airport is right between Los Angeles and Orange County, so it is easy to get to from both areas.
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When you arrive, there are plenty of ground travel choices. You can pick rental cars or rideshare services, which are all right outside the main terminal.
Introduction
Welcome to your go-to guide for Long Beach Airport (LGB)! If you want a better choice for air travel in the busy Los Angeles area, this is the place for you. In this guide, you will find out all about what makes Long Beach Airport stand out. The airport has a special design, easy flights, and good things for people who travel. Be ready to see why people like flying through Long Beach so much, and why it feels nicer than many other airports.
Understanding Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Daugherty Field
Long Beach Airport, also called LGB, is an important spot for travel in Southern California. The airport is in Long Beach and gives people a smooth way to travel instead of using the bigger airports around Los Angeles County. Many find that it makes their travel day much easier and quicker.
Some people call it Daugherty Field, which is the airfield’s official name. This name is in memory of one of the early pilots there. So, if you hear someone say Long Beach Airport or Daugherty Field, they mean the same easy-to-use airport. This is a great place if you want to get in or out of Los Angeles and Long Beach without the problems at larger airports.
Historical background and naming significance
Yes, Long Beach Airport and Daugherty Field are the same place. The name Daugherty Field is for Earl Daugherty, who was a flight pioneer in the area. He started a flying school there in 1919. The city of Long Beach bought the land in 1923. This makes it one of the oldest city airports in the country. In 2023, they had their 100th anniversary.
The airport holds a lot of history. The main terminal is famous, and it is a known historic landmark. This building shows Streamline Moderne architecture, which was a big thing in the 1930s and 40s. You can see the sleek lines and style that bring you back to an older time in flying history.
All this history gives Long Beach Airport something special. It is not only a spot to take a flight, but also a place that honors its history and still gives you all the modern things you need. When you visit, you get a unique and welcoming feeling at this airport.
Location, accessibility, and airport code information
The airport code for Long Beach Airport is LGB. You can easily remember this code when you book your flights. The airport sits just a few miles from downtown Long Beach. This great location means the airport is easy for people who live there, or for people visiting the area, to get to. If you are going to southern Los Angeles County or to northern Orange County, LGB is in a good spot to help you get there. You do not have to spend a lot of time on the road, unlike other airports in the area.
The airport’s spot is one of the things that makes it stand out. You can land at Long Beach Airport and soon be at places like famous attractions, business spots, or the beach. It takes much less time compared to traveling from a bigger, crowded airport. Because of how easy it is to get in and out, you can start or end your trip with less stress.
Some of the main things people like about flying with Long Beach Airport are the open-air walkways, the clean and modern things you can use, and also the local options for food. The airport also has a chill, easygoing feel. All of these together give you the service you expect, but in a much more easy and relaxing way.
Airlines Operating at Long Beach Airport
Long Beach Airport has a careful pick of top airlines. They work hard to give people great service and fly to the places people want to go. This airport may not have every airline you can think of, the way big international airports do. But the ones flying from here are chosen because they are good and cover the main, busy routes. That helps the airport stay easy to use and keeps things calm.
Most airlines at Long Beach Airport offer domestic flights. These flights go to important cities and fun vacation spots, so you can plan your next trip without trouble. There are many direct flights. That means you can get to where you want to go without having to switch planes too much. Let’s look at which airlines fly from LGB and where their direct flights can take you.
Major airlines and destinations served
Many airlines fly from Long Beach Airport, so people can find a good choice for their travel plans. Big names like Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines have direct flights to New York and San Diego. Hawaiian Airlines also has trips that take you straight to tropical spots. Long Beach Airport cares about customer experience and wants to make flying simple. This airport is a friendly place to start a trip, whether you are going close by or far away. It is one of the easiest ways for people to head into new adventures.
Direct flights from Long Beach to popular U.S. cities
One great thing about flying from Long Beach is that there are a lot of direct flights to big U.S. cities. You get nonstop service to places people love to visit. This saves you time because you spend less hours getting there. You get more time to be at your destination. The airport offers easy connections so you can get to cities in the West, the Midwest, and Hawaii without stopping anywhere else first.
If you want to go to New York, you won’t find a direct flight from Long Beach. But, the airport is very good for trips to the most popular regional cities and some vacation spots. When you need to fly to other domestic airports, airlines like Southwest and Delta will get you there with simple one-stop trips. Long Beach is also close to other airline hubs. If you need to get to San Diego, it is a quick drive away.
Some of the top places you can fly to from Long Beach with nonstop service:
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Honolulu, HI
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Kahului, HI (Maui)
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Las Vegas, NV
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Denver, CO
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Sacramento, CA
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Oakland, CA
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Salt Lake City, UT
Terminal Features and Travel Amenities
Going through Long Beach Airport feels different. The air in the open spaces lets you breathe easy right from the start. The best part of this airport is the nice open-air passenger concourse. Here, you can wait for your plane while sitting by gardens or fire pits. There is shaded seating too, which helps you relax. This setup makes the customer experience much better than at other airports.
Everything—from checking in to picking up your bags at baggage claim—is made to be easy and fast. The whole trip through the airport feels smooth, and it’s comfortable too. Even though Long Beach Airport doesn’t have fancy private lounges, you can still relax in the main areas. The airport gives everyone a good place to wait before a flight. Now, let’s see what else at LGB stands out and makes it such a good choice for people who travel.
Shopping, dining, and entertainment options
Long Beach Airport changes the way you wait for your flight. It blends shopping, food, and time to relax in one place. You will not find a packed entertainment center here. Instead, there is a concourse that feels like a garden. While you will not see festive waterfront strolls, the outdoor seating and palm trees bring you the same calm and nice feeling. There can be live music at times that adds to the chill mood.
The food and shopping spots have some big brands and some local Long Beach picks. This mix lets you get a bit of the city before you even leave it. You can grab a fancy coffee, sit down for a meal, or pick up what you need for travel and find a gift in a space that does not feel rushed or loud.
Some things you can use and enjoy at Long Beach Airport include:
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An open-air concourse with gardens
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Cozy fire pits and outdoor seating
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A mix of local and national food vendors
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Handy retail and newsstand shops
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A section made just for kids to play
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Pet relief areas
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Free, fast Wi-Fi everywhere in the airport
Passenger services, lounges, and accessibility facilities
Long Beach Airport is focused on giving great service to all travelers. The airport has many features to help with accessibility. There are accessible restrooms and parking spaces. You will also find universal changing tables. This helps people with disabilities have a smooth time. The terminal and baggage claim areas are not large. This makes it easy to find your way around.
There are no regular airline lounges here. Still, the whole concourse is made to feel calm and welcoming. There are lots of comfy places to sit, and the mood is peaceful. Long Beach Airport fits wellness programs into its design by creating a peaceful space. You do not need a club to enjoy this premium feeling. Everyone can have this experience.
You can get free Wi-Fi and there are spots set aside for animal relief. Long Beach Airport has planned every detail. These services help make your air travel as easy and comfortable as it can be. The airport stands out when it comes to taking care of travelers today.
Ground Transportation and Connections
When you get to Long Beach Airport, it’s easy to go where you want next. The airport has many ways for you to leave, and most of them are right next to the main building. You can get a rental car if you want to go your own way, pick a rideshare if you like things simple, or use public transport if you want to save money. You will find the right fit for you.
The move from your plane to your next ride is part of what makes Long Beach Airport work so well. In the next parts, we will look at each way to travel. This will help you know which one is best for your trip into Long Beach or even farther.
Shuttle, taxi, and rideshare options to downtown Long Beach
Getting from Long Beach Airport to the center of Long Beach is fast and simple. You can pick from many ground transportation options. You will find taxi and rideshare areas, like Uber and Lyft, right outside the terminal. If you want to go to the downtown waterfront or convention center, it will take about 15 to 20 minutes, based on traffic.
Taxis wait at the taxi stand, so it is easy to get one right away. If you want to use a rideshare app, there is a pickup zone that is clearly marked not far from baggage claim. Some hotels have shuttles to pick guests up, so you may want to ask your hotel before you travel.
The cost for these choices is not high, especially when you look at the longer and more costly rides from other airports. This makes Long Beach Airport a good entry point to the center of Long Beach and all its excitement.
Public transit, rental cars, and alternate airport transfers
Long Beach Airport has more ways to travel if you want something besides flying. The airport’s rental car center is right there and has many well-known companies. You can get a rental car fast and be out on the road. This is the best option when you want to check out long beach, los angeles, or anywhere else around Southern California.
You can also use public transit. Long Beach Transit buses stop at the airport and can take you to downtown and other city parts. This is a cheap way to get around long beach. When you need to reach another airport, you will find a few shuttle services. These can take you to the closest major airport like Los Angeles International (LAX) or john wayne airport (SNA).
Here’s a look at your major airport transportation choices:
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Rental Car: You can find the agencies in the old terminal building.
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Public Transit: The Long Beach Transit buses drive straight to the airport.
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Rideshare: Uber and Lyft can pick you up at a set spot.
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Taxis: You’ll find these waiting at a stand outside.
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Airport Shuttles: There are both shared and private shuttle rides to other airports or nearby locations.
Conclusion
To sum up, getting around Long Beach Airport can be easy if you have the right information about its features and services. You will find that Daugherty Field has a rich history. There are many airlines, and the airport offers a lot of helpful amenities. This will help make your time at the airport good. Knowing about the different ways to get to and from the airport will help you travel to downtown Long Beach and other places without trouble. No matter if you are on a work trip or just visiting for fun, this guide gives you what you need to know to make your trip smooth. Have a good trip, and don’t forget to check out everything long beach has to offer!