San Diego International Airport carries his name as tribute to his epic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly 14 million passengers travel through the airport annually on more than 500 daily flights. Terminal 1 has been in existence since 1967, with quite a bit of remodeling in the ensuing years, and Terminal 2 opened in 1979. The Commuter Terminal was added in 1996 and handles 25,000 passengers daily, and a major expansion and renovation of Terminal 2 was completed in 1998. Nearby residents constantly complain about airplane noise, and many consider the steep descent to pose a hazard with every landing.
Chances are it'll stay right where it is.
For convenience and proximity to downtown, it can't be beat. Once you have deplaned, signs will direct you to the baggage-claim area as well as to ground transportation. If you've arrived at one of the far gates, it can be a bit of a hike, especially in Terminal 2, so muster up your extra energy and concentrate on the delights that await you. You'll have to take the escalator or elevator down to the baggage area, but once you're there, lighted signs will indicate which carousel will deliver your bags. As you leave the baggage area, you can proceed directly to the outside curb if you are taking the Metropolitan Transit Service bus called the Airport Flyer.