How many airports are in the Los Angeles area?

Five commercial airports serve the LA metro: LAX (Los Angeles International), BUR (Hollywood Burbank), LGB (Long Beach), SNA (John Wayne/Orange County), and ONT (Ontario International). LAX handles about 85% of the region's air traffic.

Which LA airport is easiest to fly into?

Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB) are by far the easiest. Both are small, single-terminal airports where you can walk from the gate to your car in 10-15 minutes. John Wayne (SNA) is also relatively easy. LAX and Ontario are the most complex.

Which LA airport is best for Disneyland?

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is closest to Disneyland — about 15 minutes by car. Long Beach (LGB) is second best at 20-25 minutes. LAX is 35-60+ minutes depending on traffic. Ontario (ONT) is about 30-40 minutes via the 57 freeway.

All 5 LA Airports Compared 2026 — LAX, BUR, LGB, SNA, ONT

Most people default to LAX. But LA has five commercial airports, and choosing the right one can save you hours and significant stress. Here's the definitive comparison.

The Five Airports at a Glance

Airport	Code	Passengers/yr	International?	Ease
Los Angeles International	LAX	~88M	Yes — extensive	⭐⭐
Hollywood Burbank	BUR	~6M	No	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Long Beach	LGB	~4M	No	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
John Wayne (Orange County)	SNA	~11M	Limited	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ontario International	ONT	~7M	Limited (Mexico)	⭐⭐⭐⭐

LAX — The Inevitable Giant

LAX is the fifth-busiest airport in the world and handles about 85% of LA's air traffic. If you're flying internationally or need specific airlines/schedules, LAX is often unavoidable.

✅ Best for

• International travel
• Maximum flight options
• West LA / South Bay destinations
• Red-eye & early morning flights

❌ Pain points

• 30-75 min gate-to-car
• LAX-it shuttle for rideshare
• Construction through 2028
• Crowded, stressful, confusing

BUR — The Traveler's Favorite

Hollywood Burbank is consistently rated the most pleasant airport in LA. Two small terminals, outdoor walkways, 10-minute gate-to-car experience. For a deeper comparison, see our LAX vs Burbank guide.

✅ Best for

• Hollywood / Valley / Pasadena
• Stress-free domestic travel
• Short trips & business travelers
• Southwest & JetBlue flyers

❌ Limitations

• No international flights
• Limited airlines (~10)
• Fewer direct routes
• Higher fares on some routes

LGB — The Hidden Gem

Long Beach Airport's outdoor boarding gates and historic terminal make it feel like flying in a different era. Tiny, charming, and incredibly easy. See our LAX vs Long Beach comparison for details.

✅ Best for

• Southeast LA / Orange County
• Cruise port (San Pedro nearby)
• JetBlue East Coast routes
• People who hate airports

❌ Limitations

• Only ~4 airlines
• No international flights
• Noise curfew (no flights 10pm-7am)
• Very limited route network

SNA — The Orange County Option

John Wayne Airport serves Orange County and is the closest airport to Disneyland, Newport Beach, and Irvine. A modern, mid-sized airport that's significantly easier than LAX.

✅ Best for

• Disneyland / Anaheim
• Newport Beach / Laguna Beach
• Irvine / South OC
• Some international routes (Mexico)

❌ Limitations

• Far from central LA (45-90 min)
• Noise curfew limits flights
• Moderate airline selection
• Parking fills up fast

ONT — The Inland Empire Gateway

Ontario International has grown significantly in recent years, adding airlines and routes. It's the best option for travelers heading to the Inland Empire, San Bernardino County, or eastern LA County.

✅ Best for

• Inland Empire / Riverside
• Eastern LA County (Pomona, Claremont)
• Ontario / Rancho Cucamonga
• Budget travelers (cheap parking)

❌ Limitations

• 40-80 min from central LA
• Limited international (mostly Mexico)
• Fewer direct routes than LAX
• Not convenient for west side

Best Airport by Destination

Destination	Best Airport	Runner-up
Hollywood	BUR	LAX
Beverly Hills	LAX	BUR
Santa Monica	LAX	—
Downtown LA	BUR or LAX	LGB
Pasadena	BUR	ONT
Disneyland / Anaheim	SNA	LGB
Long Beach	LGB	LAX
Newport / Laguna Beach	SNA	LGB
San Fernando Valley	BUR	—
Ontario / Inland Empire	ONT	—
South Bay (Torrance, etc.)	LAX	LGB

Pro Tips for Choosing Your Airport

Always search multiple airports on Google Flights. Enter "Los Angeles" as the destination and Google shows fares to all five airports.
Factor in ground transport time and cost. A $50 cheaper flight to LAX that adds 90 minutes of ground transport isn't saving you money — it's costing you time.
Check parking costs if driving. ONT and LGB have $10-15/day parking. LAX is $30-60/day. That adds up on a week-long trip.
Consider your return trip. Getting to a small airport for departure is just as valuable as arriving at one. Security at BUR and LGB takes 5-15 minutes vs 30-60+ at LAX.