I've flown into the Long Beach Airport - LGB in California [4100 E Donald Douglas Dr] on Wednesday, 05/13/26, in the afternoon. The airline that I proceeded with was Southwest Airlines. I utilized this airport because I had a México cruise trip scheduled with Carnival Cruise Lines. Upon arrival, this airport felt unique compared to most airports. Instead of the traditional method of exiting the plane by walking on a jet bridge, passengers had to walk down portable stairs onto the tarmac (paved surface on the airport runway). Then, there was a designated walkway to get inside the airport to pick up luggage from the baggage claim area/carousel. I absolutely adored the gorgeous, open-air conceptual design of the airport. I was met with the fresh Southern California breeze, a plethora of palm trees, and beautiful sunshine from the sky. I also appreciated that this airport was considerably less crowded with individuals. The ease of navigation within the smaller building made a difference in getting in and out. All in all, the entire environment was picturesque, calm, and relaxing. There were a couple of eateries and a convenience store available for the general public. Since I was in the South Concourse, these options included Boathouse on the Bay, Sheldrake Coffee Roasting & Sweet Jill's Bakery, and Travel@Ease Gifts and News. I finally came back to the Long Beach Airport on Tuesday, 05/19/26, around 10:30 AM to travel home. The line with Southwest Airlines was a tad long to drop off luggage. However, the TSA line was very swift at getting people through. I will be flying to and from this airport moving forward anytime I need to travel to the Southern California region. read more

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While I'm down here in SoCal, I figured I might have to have some meetings with the big bosses of my company since it's based down here in SoCal. I was told I needed to pick up one of the big bosses at the Long Beach Airport (LGB). I got where to meet and what time. Basically you can't just hang out at the curb like the old days, you wait off site and then get a call when to pick your passenger up. Wow, this airport is bigger than I thought. I did park and go inside just to check it out and I guess it's a little more polite to meet a big boss at the gate then to just drive up to the curb like some taxi cab. I think this is about the size of the Oakland Airport (OAK), there different gat areas for the airlines and there's different food options as well. Everything from burgers to seafood even. Prices are airport prices that's for sure. I met up easy, since I knew what he looked like, I didn't have to hold up one of those stupid signs with a name on it! He was grateful for me meeting him and said he's gonna take me out to lunch. Sounds good to me. This is a pretty decent airport, everything is super busy down here in SoCal. read more

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Small but ample airport. Boarding and off boarding is efficient. Nice weather most of the time. Restaurants are good and expensive. Yet quick meal is ok. Often there are delays. But nice area to sit at for the wait. My favorite airport to transit this far. Not too large that it's overwhelming or too much to walk. read more

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Love the simplicity and smoothness transitions inside this airport. It is well organized and they have coffee shops inside as well. It is a smaller airport compared to LAX but nothing beats smaller crowds & more relaxed environment before your travel destination. read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Getting into our plane - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I'm a big fan of this airport. If my destination can be reached through this airport I definitely will choose here first. The layout is great! Love walking up the steps to the airplane. They have refillable water stations inside, some rescans food places, gift shops and coffee shops/stands. Love it! You can rent a car quickly or park your can nearby over night. Such a convenient and awesome airport. Can't wait to see the upgrades. read more

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Awesome must have an amazing training team staff exudes professionalism & kindness with a smile always! read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

Still a great small airport to go. Was here to pick up family members. Easy and convenient waiting parking and easy getting in and out without any hassle. read more

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Note that car rental counters have moved into the historic terminal building as of December 2025. Check out the stately, historic Art Moderne facility even if you're not renting a car. They've restored the tile artwork inset into the floors and did a great job. It's so peaceful now that it's hard to picture this having hosted those very busy, jam-packed airline check-in counters back in the day. LGB just keeps getting better and better. I love this airport! read more

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Long Beach Airport is one of the most convenient airports in Southern California. Its location makes it a perfect midpoint between Los Angeles and Orange County, which is especially helpful for travelers trying to avoid the heavier traffic and congestion of larger airports. The airport itself is refreshingly easy to navigate and never feels overwhelmingly busy, making the overall travel experience much more relaxed. They have many charging ports for your devices which is so convenient. Despite being smaller, it still offers a solid selection of restaurants and food options, so you won't feel limited while waiting for your flight. Overall, Long Beach Airport strikes a great balance between efficiency, comfort, and convenience. read more

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This is still a marvelous place to fly out and into. If flying into LGB, you can sit at either end of the flight because you're de boarded on both sides immediately. If it's raining when you're here, cut through the restaurants to avoid the rain when walking to your gate. Checking through TSA is one of the smoothest things ever. Even when I was stopped, it took 4 minutes total. It is rather chaotic when it's boarding time as the airport is small so it gets crowded. It's still worth it here since the passengers here are much more friendly compared to LAX. read more

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What a small but mighty airport. I don't think I've ever been to an airport where I entered the tarmac to board the plane. That was kind of cool. TSA here was a breeze 5 min and you're in. The food options while limited were delicious. And the staff were on it to keep the place clean. I'll definitely utilize this airport if I'm in the area read more

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I can see why this is considered one of the coolest airports. It's a smaller airport, so you actually exit the plane directly onto the tarmac. Surprisingly, that gives it a level of intimacy and charm that larger airports just don't have. The one thing that cost them a star was the assistance for wheelchair passengers. There was a long line of people waiting, and it took a very long time for anyone to help them. At one point, we even had to advocate for the waiting passengers to get the staff's attention. Other than that, the rental car process was super quick and easy both when departing and returning. Baggage claim is small but efficient, and there are some really nice seating areas along with a wide variety of food options. read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Out of all the SoCal airports, I really enjoying flying in and out of the LGB. It's way less stressful than most airports because it's so small. Of course, a tiny size comes with its own list of pros and cons, but this is still my preferred airport when flying into the area. This is a great airport for cruise passengers, and there are a ton that come through here during cruise ship season. If you fly on a weekend, be ready for crowds! Friday and Saturdays seem to be the busiest times, with passengers flying out and in for the weekend! It can be difficult to find seats in the boarding area at peak times, so be aware. There also isn't a lot to do at this airport. If your plane is delayed, you're going to be bored. There are a couple of food outlets (a few sit down places) but they are very small and aren't very good, even by airport standards. If I know I'm going to be sitting a while, I bring magazines or a book and my laptop so I can get some work done. Catching an Uber is super easy, and there is a rental car trailer steps from the airport's front door. Lots of nice hotels are nearby, too, and it's about a 30 minute car ride to the cruise port at the Queen Mary (depending on the time of day). Baggage claim is so tiny but you get your checked luggage really fast. Security is also quick because it's such a small airport. The layout is pretty too: there's a lovely outdoor / indoor area where you can sit beneath palm trees when the weather is nice. This airport even has SAND so it feels very beachy and welcoming. You may pay more to fly in and out of this airport, but its small size makes it virtually stress-free. 'I really love the LGB airport! It's one of the best-kept secrets in Southern California! read more

I flew into the LBC Airport from Oakland Airport!!! The Workers here are Really Cool!!! The Level of Hospitality is amazing!!! The South West Folks were really accommodating!!! This is a Baller On A Budget Approved Establishment!!! I keep my Pimp Hand Strong!! Number 34 On the Yelp top 50 list of the most Prolific Yelp Elites of 2025!!! read more

First visit to LGB and I was impressed! The airport has a super cool, laid-back vibe with its open-air design. Both the passenger concourses and baggage claim are open-air, allowing for a breezy, indoor-outdoor experience. The historic art deco terminal has been repurposed into the rental car customer service area, and I love how they've preserved the character. Rental cars are conveniently located just across the drive from the terminal, making pickup quick and easy. Here are a few historical notes and quick facts: * Long Beach, California (about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles) * Opened: 1911 (one of the oldest operating airports in the U.S.) * LGB flights are capped daily and annually due to strict noise restrictions. * Passenger Volume: ~3-4 million annually (much smaller and calmer than LAX) * Easy curb-to-gate experience * Outdoor concourses with palm trees * Strong ties to Southern California aviation history read more

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My favorite airport! I avoid LAX at all cost...literally. Totally worth paying a little extra for the convenience of being able to get in and out, from the runway to the freeway! Tip: keep an umbrella in your carryon if rain is in the forecast. Boarding/deplaning takes place on an open air jetway. read more

Flying in and out of this airport is so pleasant. It's like have your own private airport. I have Bern flying in and out of this airport many times. Very short lines, kind of like a community airport. Never a wait for TSA clearance. I used my digital California drivers license and they accept it here. There are only a total of 12 gates. The North concourse and the South concourse. There is no air walkway. You walk onto the tarmac to get onto the plane. There is a ramp to go to the front of the plane or to go to the back you go up the stairs. If you hoof it fast enough and climb the stairs you can get s good seat. The airport has lots of natural outdoor seating. Very pleasant to enjoy the California weather. Dropping off and picking up passengers is not crowded and respectful. Bathrooms are clean. This airport gets a 5 star rating. read more

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Standing here in line at the Long Beach airport for Tsa Pre-Check. My girlfriend went into General boarding and she is already through and I am still standing in line with 50 people in front of me. Why? Because they only have one Tsa station open and four open for General security so if you're heading to Long Beach airport don't bother going in the Tsa line because it will take you at least 30 minutes longer. You won't realize the bottleneck until you start in Tsa and see everybody else going through General Boarding. No, there's no TSA strike, that's over. This is just local government inefficiency and it's best! read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - This is the TSA line and the general boarding has no line. - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

This is a nice small yet modern airport if you can find flights here to avoid the congestion of LAX. Feels like much of the airport is outdoors. Only 11 gates and you can walk on/off the planes to/from the tarmac. All the food/drink options are also non-corporate franchised locations which is nice. It's worth flying out of LGB if schedules work. read more

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Long Beach airport is very convenient. You don't have to deal with long TSA lines. You can find parking quickly and cheap. Food vendors are limited due to size of the airport. read more

Quite possibly the best airport I've traveled through this year. LGB is released, clean, easy to navigate, and so cute. Absolutely impeccable vibes here - the open air spaces? Fresh air and sun? The seating with palm trees and sand? Sign me up. Airport employees were friendly and helpful, and I made it through TSA in just a few minutes. For a small airport, there's also a decent number of restaurants, charging stations, and bathrooms. Really just a great little airport all around, LGB is my new preference when flying into the Anaheim area. read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Another lowkey airport that I had to use this weekend. They have designated terminals for airlines that makes check in efficient. Ride share has a separate lane making it easy to navigate and find your ride. The waiting area can feel cramped but the outdoor space makes up it. read more

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I am giving Long Beach Airport five out of five stars. It is a small airport, but everything about it runs incredibly smoothly. From check-in to security to boarding, the process feels effortless and organized. It has a relaxed atmosphere that makes traveling much less stressful, and it is easy to navigate, which is a huge plus compared to larger airports. Honestly, I think it beats LAX in many ways, and it is definitely better than Ontario. The lines are shorter, the staff is efficient and friendly, and it just feels like the airport experience should always be. Good job Long Beach for creating a place that is both functional and surprisingly pleasant to be in. If you have the option to fly in or out of here, it makes your trip start and end on a great note. read more

My fave airport! Small, great parking, valet and public, easy baggage access. Just the best! read more

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Our local airport has an ambiance of a local pub. Small, comfortable, and feels like home. Very friendly staff. Southwest employees are the best here. Parking is convenient, food options are great and really clean. read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Gate 1 - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

Very nice airport! Nice and clean and not busy! Would love to fly thru here again! Great stores and a few good restaurants and everyone seemed pretty nice. read more

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This airport is too cute, small, easy and convenient. It was pretty easy to navigate this airport.. The check in process was a breeze with 3 major airlines on the kiosk screen. If you're in a rush and you're flying out of LGB you're in luck. The whole process from checking in, going to bag drop, going thru TSA took less than 15 minutes. I guess the morning we came in it wasn't that busy.. so we were in luck. They did have 3 or 4 restaurants to choose from. The one thing I like about this airport is that you walk on a ramp to get to your plane. I mean you actually walk outside and you walk up a big ramp. I haven't done that in a long time. It feels super old school but this is just a smaller airport than your normal. I would rather fly out of here than LAX! Oh! They have 2 carrousels to pick up your luggage! If your bag is not on the carrousel it's on the side. read more

My favorite airport of all time! Beautiful outdoor spaces and easy to get in and out of. Only downside is the airport is small and so are the gate areas, so with Southwest being the majority of the flights, seating areas can be very limited. There's a total of 3 bars only as well and not a lot of food options, but the facilities are clean and the people who work here are nice. TSA line is usually pretty quick too! read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I really like this airport. And it is getting better and better every year. Ride share gets very close to ticketing office. Getting tickets is very easy. Going through security is very easy. And inside waiting area is is nice enough, and there are some good number of coffee, shops, or stores. And boarding the plane is very easy. Overall, very good experience every single time. read more

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I absolutely love Long Beach Airport! It's such a convenient, local airport in the LA area, and it's my absolute favorite. Southwest Airlines offers a ton of flights from here, so it's super accessible. The drop-off and pick-up process is a breeze, and it feels like you're entering a chic shopping mall rather than a busy airport. One of the standout features of Long Beach Airport is how easy the TSA is. There are plenty of staff on hand, so you never have to wait in long lines like at other airports. And, of course, the cleanliness here is great. The entire environment is so well maintained , and the bathrooms are always spotless. It's just a really chill, relaxing place to travel through. Another big plus is that it's such a short walk to the plane. You don't have to take any long tram or bus ride. It's just a quick stroll right to your gate. The whole atmosphere is so calm, which is a huge plus in a city with so many hectic airports. I do wish there were more options for coffee or chain restaurants, things like Starbucks, Panda Express, or McDonald's would be great additions. But honestly, that's a minor gripe. Overall, Long Beach Airport is my favorite because of its cleanliness, friendly staff, short wait times, and how easy everything is. I couldn't ask for a better airport experience in the LA area read more

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My husband and I usually fly Delta, United, or American out of LAX for domestic trips, but this time we scored a great Southwest deal: LGB-HOU-MSY. It was perfect since it flew out of Long Beach Airport, which is so much closer to home and way less hectic (just thinking about the Memorial Day crowds at LAX was enough to say nope). Even though we had to connect in Houston, the layover was only 30 minutes, and we got to check in 4 bags for free before 5/28/2025, can't beat that, so we booked it right away! Self check-in, dropping off luggage, security, and baggage claim were all super easy. If you want a hassle-free airport experience in Southern California, I'd definitely recommend flying in and out of LGB. read more

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I love this little art Deco style Airport. It's tiny - - even the luggage carousels are outdoors. But it's easy in and easy out his car rental literally outside the front door. When flying into Orange county, this is the place. read more

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LGB! As a frequent flyer to Southern CA for work and to visit family & friends, my preferred route is a straight thru flight from RNO on Southwest Airlines - avoiding hectic LAX and having to make a stop to arrive at SNA. Located off the 405, the airport is easy to get in/out and the on-site car rental is steps away from the terminal. The TSA lines are usually quick - I do have TSA Precheck which makes it even easier to get through the line. You will load the plane from the tarmac on elevated walkways. Once inside the gates, there are places to eat and grab cocktails before your flight. Luggage pickup can be found out in the pavilion close to the terminals and steps away from the car rental center. read more

Love flying into LGB if I ever need to go to SoCal / OC. Small airport with 2 terminals, and the rental cars are literally across the street with all rental cars parked onsite. You can't beat the convenience. Also, there is a Costco a 15-min drive away so easy to fill up before you return a rental. read more

LBG is like flying into Hawaii Beautiful airport with outdoor seating while you are waiting to get on board. Small, yet efficient going through TSA Not much wait. read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Taxing - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

This place ROCKS. Nicest workers EVER, people are chill, vibes are good. I will never fly through anywhere else if I have a choice. Yall keep being awesome. read more

Smaller and safer airport to fly into and out of. I flew SW and it was one of the smoother flights when descending. The walk from flight departure to pick-up area was short and easy. There is some congestion but not as bad. I never knew this little gem existed for SoCal and I will continue to use this airport vs LAX. read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - Baggage Retrieval Area - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

This airport is easy to get in and out of Long Beach Airport is close to the freeway and they have two parking structures. There are two terminals that are close to the parking so you can walk from your car TAS is close to the gates , it doesn't take long to get to the gates read more

Long Beach Airport - LGB - The ramp - Airports Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I LOVE Long Beach Airport . Quaint airport, very easy to navigate through. Good variety of Eateries, several Long Beach favorites. Don't sleep on the cinnamon rolls from Sweet Jill's IFYKYK! If I could fly from Long Beach all the time, I would! Downsides, only a handful of airlines operate from here, and plane tickets aren't always the cheapest. But when there's a deal, best believe I take it! read more

Back again! I love LGB airport. Very easy to check in, TSA fast and no waiting or delay. read more

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