Flying through Southern California does not always mean navigating the size, traffic, and long terminal walks associated with a major international hub. long beach airport, officially Long Beach Airport (LGB), offers a much smaller alternative between Los Angeles and Orange County, with a compact passenger area, local dining, nearby parking, and a growing network of nonstop flights.
Long Beach Airport is a public airport in Long Beach, California, identified by the airport code LGB. It currently connects travelers with 21 nonstop destinations and nearly 400 cities through one-stop itineraries. Its passenger facilities include North and South concourses, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR screening options, onsite parking, rental cars, rideshare pickup, taxis, restaurants, shops, and accessible traveler services.
This guide explains what travelers should know before using LGB, including airlines, destinations, security, parking costs, transportation, food, accessibility, arrival timing, and the airport’s unusual history.
Where Is long beach airport?
Long Beach Airport is located at 4100 Donald Douglas Drive in Long Beach, California, roughly between central Los Angeles and Orange County.
Its location makes it particularly useful for travelers whose final destination is Long Beach, parts of southeast Los Angeles County, coastal communities, Anaheim, or northern Orange County.
The airport is relatively close to several major Southern California destinations, including:
- Downtown Long Beach
- Port of Long Beach
- San Pedro cruise terminals
- Anaheim and Disneyland Resort
- Orange County
- Downtown Los Angeles
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Knott’s Berry Farm
Road access is convenient from Interstate 405, although Southern California traffic can dramatically change driving times. A trip that looks short on a map can take considerably longer during weekday rush hours.
What is the airport code for Long Beach?
The airport code is LGB.
You may also encounter the name Long Beach Municipal Airport or Daugherty Field, but LGB and Long Beach Airport are the terms most passengers will see when checking flights.
The airport occupies 1,166 acres and has three runways as well as passenger, general aviation, aerospace, office, and commercial facilities.
Airlines and Nonstop Flights From Long Beach Airport
One of the biggest limitations of a smaller airport is usually destination choice. LGB has a smaller route network than Los Angeles International Airport, but its nonstop coverage has expanded substantially.
The airport’s official destination map currently lists 21 nonstop airports and connections to nearly 400 cities through one-stop itineraries.
Current destinations listed by the airport include:
| Destination | State | Airline service listed by LGB |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | New Mexico | Southwest |
| Austin | Texas | Southwest |
| Bozeman | Montana | Southwest |
| Chicago | Illinois | Southwest |
| Dallas | Texas | Southwest |
| Denver | Colorado | Southwest |
| Honolulu | Hawaii | Hawaiian, Southwest |
| Houston | Texas | Southwest |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | Southwest |
| Maui/Kahului | Hawaii | Hawaiian, Southwest |
| Nashville | Tennessee | Southwest |
| New Orleans | Louisiana | Southwest |
| Oakland | California | Southwest |
| Orlando | Florida | Southwest |
| Phoenix | Arizona | Southwest |
| Portland | Oregon | Southwest |
| Reno | Nevada | Southwest |
| Sacramento | California | Southwest |
| Salt Lake City | Utah | Delta, Southwest |
| San Jose | California | Southwest |
| Seattle | Washington | Southwest; Alaska service scheduled |
The airport’s destination information can change seasonally, so checking an airline’s schedule before planning around a particular route is sensible.
New Seattle and Portland flights
A particularly recent change came on August 5, 2026, when Southwest Airlines began new daily nonstop flights between LGB and both Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport.
Southwest’s published schedule included an 11:25 a.m. LGB departure for Seattle and a 1 p.m. departure for Portland. Alaska Airlines is scheduled to begin twice-daily Seattle service on September 8, 2026, further increasing capacity on that route.
That is worth checking if you have previously searched LGB schedules because older guides may not include the newer Pacific Northwest service.
Is Long Beach Airport Easy to Navigate?
For many passengers, this is where LGB has a clear practical advantage.
The airport is considerably smaller than LAX. Instead of traveling between a collection of large terminals, passengers use a compact complex built around the Ticketing Lobby, security checkpoint, North Concourse, and South Concourse.
After passing security, passengers can access the concourse areas without going through a completely separate airport terminal system.
That simple layout can reduce several common airport headaches:
- Long walks between facilities
- Complex terminal transfers
- Multiple parking areas far from the passenger terminal
- Long curb-to-gate journeys
- Confusing rideshare pickup locations
It does not mean every trip will be queue-free. Early morning departure waves, holidays, bad weather, and unusually busy travel periods can still cause congestion.
Does LGB use outdoor boarding?
One characteristic travelers sometimes notice is that some boarding operations at Long Beach have historically involved walking outdoors and using aircraft stairs rather than relying exclusively on enclosed jet bridges.
For people accustomed to large enclosed terminals, that can make LGB feel more like a classic regional airport.
Weather is usually mild in Southern California, but keep this feature in mind if rain, mobility limitations, or traveling with very young children could affect your trip.
TSA Security at long beach airport
Long Beach Airport has invested in expanding its Transportation Security Administration screening capacity.
In September 2025, LGB increased the number of TSA screening lanes from five to six and redesigned the security queue to reduce congestion around the Ticketing Lobby. The airport also offers TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.
The compact layout can make the overall curb-to-gate process relatively quick, but passengers should not assume that a small airport means there will never be a security line.
How early should you arrive at Long Beach Airport?
For a routine domestic departure, arriving roughly 90 minutes before your scheduled flight is a reasonable practical target for many travelers.
Consider giving yourself closer to two hours when:
- Flying during a major holiday
- Checking baggage
- Traveling with children
- Departing during the morning rush
- Requiring mobility or screening assistance
- Returning a rental vehicle
- You are unfamiliar with the airport
Airlines can close bag-check and boarding acceptance before the scheduled departure time, so a short TSA queue does not justify arriving at the last minute.
The safest approach is to check your airline’s specific recommendation and live flight status before leaving.
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
Frequent travelers have two expedited options at LGB.
TSA PreCheck may allow eligible travelers to use a dedicated screening process with fewer requirements for removing approved clothing and items.
CLEAR provides identity verification before the TSA physical screening stage.
Having either service can be helpful during peak departure periods, although neither guarantees zero waiting.
Long Beach Airport Parking
Parking is directly associated with the terminal area, making it one of the easier aspects of using LGB.
As of August 2026, the airport lists these standard daily rates:
| Parking option | Current daily rate |
| Structure A | $30 |
| Structure B | $25 |
| Valet | $38 |
| Cell Phone Waiting Lot | Free for up to one hour |
LGB also provides 12 ChargePoint electric-vehicle charging stations on the first level of Structure B. The chargers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking reservations are available for Structures A and B.
Parking rates are changing
Travelers planning trips later in 2026 should pay attention to an announced rate increase.
The airport says new rates become effective October 1, with parking costing $5 per hour, Structure A rising to $35 per day, and Structure B to $30 per day.
That is a useful example of why older LGB parking guides can become inaccurate quickly.
Which parking structure should you choose?
Structure A generally makes sense when convenience matters most.
Structure B can be more attractive when reducing parking costs matters more than saving a small amount of walking time.
For pickup rather than parking, use the free Cell Phone Waiting Lot instead of repeatedly circulating around the passenger pickup area. The airport limits cell phone lot use to one hour.
Quick Takeaway: For a multi-day trip, calculate the full parking total rather than comparing only the daily difference. A $5 daily difference becomes $35 over a week.
Transportation From Long Beach Airport
LGB supports rental cars, taxis, transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft, buses, shuttles, and other ground transportation.
Because many services are concentrated near the terminal, reaching your vehicle generally involves less complicated airport navigation than at a large hub.
Rental cars
Rental car operations are located in the airport’s ground transportation area, directly across from the terminal.
Rental vehicles can make sense if your trip involves several Southern California destinations, particularly because the region is geographically spread out.
However, consider the cost of hotel parking, freeway traffic, gasoline, and destination parking before assuming a rental car is automatically the cheapest choice.
Uber and Lyft
Transportation Network Companies operate from the outer curb in front of the terminal.
That relatively straightforward pickup arrangement is useful for passengers who want to avoid renting a car.
Always check the location shown inside the rideshare app because airport pickup procedures can change.
Taxis
Taxis are available outside the terminal near Parking Structure A.
The airport currently publishes a meter rate with a $3.10 base fee and $2.97 per mile, along with several flat-rate destinations. Examples include $50 to San Pedro/cruise ships, $50 to Disneyland or the Anaheim Convention Center, $75 to LAX, and $85 to Downtown Los Angeles.
Rates can change, so confirm the applicable fare before relying on an older travel budget.
Public transportation
Travelers can also connect to Long Beach Transit and regional rail services.
Public transportation generally costs less than taxis or rideshares, but it may involve transfers and significantly more travel time depending on your final destination.
For light luggage and a flexible schedule, it can still be a practical option.
Getting From Long Beach Airport to Disneyland
LGB is frequently considered by travelers visiting Disneyland Resort and Anaheim.
The airport publishes a $50 taxi flat rate for Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center.
The actual road journey varies with traffic. A drive that moves smoothly outside peak periods can take much longer when nearby freeways become congested.
When comparing airports for a Disneyland trip, do not look only at airfare. Consider:
- Flight schedule
- Ground transportation cost
- Rental-car requirements
- Traffic
- Total door-to-hotel travel time
A slightly more expensive flight into LGB can sometimes produce a simpler overall journey than a cheaper flight into a more distant or congested airport.
Getting From LGB to the Cruise Terminals
Long Beach is home to cruise operations, while additional cruise ships depart from nearby San Pedro at the Port of Los Angeles.
That makes LGB a useful arrival airport for some cruise passengers.
The airport lists a $50 taxi flat rate to San Pedro/cruise ships.
If you are flying in on the same day your cruise departs, build a substantial buffer for delayed flights and traffic. Missing a cruise departure has far larger consequences than spending an extra few hours near the port.
Flying in the day before departure is often the lower-risk approach.
Food and Restaurants at Long Beach Airport
One of LGB’s more distinctive features is its emphasis on businesses associated with Long Beach rather than relying exclusively on generic national airport concessions.
Current dining and retail names include:
- Sheldrake Coffee Roasting
- Sweet Jill’s Bakery
- Boathouse on the Bay
- 4th Street Vine Wine & Beer Bar
- Taco Beach Cantina
- Long Beach Burger Bar
- George’s Greek Cafe
- Travel@Ease Gifts and News
- 562 Experience
Options are distributed across the airport, including the North and South concourses.
Operating hours vary considerably. Some coffee and bakery service begins around 5:30 a.m., while several restaurants close in the early evening.
If you are taking one of the day’s final flights, do not assume every restaurant will remain open.
Can you eat after going through security?
Yes. Both passenger concourse areas have post-security food options.
For example, the South Concourse includes Boathouse on the Bay and Sheldrake Coffee Roasting/Sweet Jill’s Bakery, while the North Concourse includes Long Beach Burger Bar, Taco Beach Cantina, George’s Greek Cafe, and other concessions.
Accessibility at Long Beach Airport
LGB provides accessibility infrastructure and assistance for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions.
Accessible drinking fountains and restrooms are available in the Ticketing Lobby and in both the north and south portions of the passenger concourse. The airport also provides an ADA route map.
For passengers who require additional help during security screening, TSA Cares is available. The airport recommends contacting the service 72 hours before travel.
Wheelchair-accessible transportation may need additional planning. The airport advises making advance reservations for wheelchair-accessible taxi and shuttle vehicles. Uber users can select the WAV option where available, while Lyft provides wheelchair-access settings and applicable ride modes.
Travelers who need airline wheelchair assistance should arrange it with their carrier in advance rather than waiting until arrival at the airport.
The Historic Terminal at Long Beach Airport
LGB is not simply a transportation facility. Its historic architecture is part of its identity.
The airport’s Historic Terminal was designed by architects William Horace Austin and Kenneth Smith Wing in the Streamline Moderne style.
Its opening was originally scheduled for December 8, 1941.
That ceremony never happened as planned.
The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred the previous day. The building was subsequently painted in camouflage and used to accommodate soldiers and military equipment. Its formal opening was postponed until April 1942.
The terminal eventually became a designated Long Beach Historic Landmark.
Grace Clements mosaic
Inside the Historic Terminal is another important piece of local history: a mosaic created by artist Grace Clements.
The artwork contains approximately 1.6 million hand-cut tiles in 32 colors. Portions that had been hidden for decades were uncovered during restoration work.
The restored Historic Terminal reopened in 2024 after a $17.8 million renovation that included seismic upgrades and restoration of original architectural features.
This combination of aviation history, art, and compact modern passenger facilities gives LGB a character that is unusual among U.S. airports.
Long Beach Airport Improvements Through 2028
Passengers using LGB over the next several years may notice ongoing changes.
In April 2026, the airport broke ground on a $37 million passenger concourse enhancement project designed to modernize facilities, improve infrastructure, and prepare for increased regional travel associated with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Other improvements have included terminal roadway work, a modern Ticketing Lobby and Baggage Claim facility, restoration of the Historic Terminal, and the expanded TSA checkpoint.
The airport is therefore maintaining its relatively compact footprint while progressively modernizing the passenger experience.
LGB vs. LAX: Which Airport Makes More Sense?
There is no universally better choice.
LGB generally has the edge in simplicity. LAX has the edge in flight selection.
| Factor | Long Beach Airport (LGB) | Los Angeles International (LAX) |
| Airport size | Small | Very large |
| Nonstop route selection | Limited | Extensive |
| International flights | Very limited/direct options absent | Major international hub |
| Terminal navigation | Relatively simple | More complex |
| Parking-to-terminal process | Compact | Depends heavily on facility |
| Southern LA/Long Beach access | Often convenient | Varies with traffic |
| Airline choice | Limited | Extensive |
| Long-haul connectivity | Mostly through connections | Strong |
LGB is often worth considering when a nonstop flight matches your itinerary and your destination is Long Beach, Anaheim, or a nearby part of Southern California.
LAX becomes harder to avoid when you need a specific airline, an international service, or a nonstop destination not offered from Long Beach.
Do not compare the airports using airfare alone. Total journey time is often the more useful metric.
Practical Tips for Flying Through LGB
A few habits can make an already manageable airport even easier.
- Check the flight status before leaving home. A smaller airport cannot eliminate airline or weather-related delays.
- Verify your destination is operating on your exact travel date. Some routes can be seasonal.
- Reserve parking when traveling during busy periods.
- Use the Cell Phone Waiting Lot when collecting someone. It is free for up to one hour.
- Do not cut arrival time too close just because LGB is small. Bag-drop and boarding deadlines still apply.
- Check restaurant hours before a late flight. Some concessions close well before the day’s final departure.
- Plan accessible services in advance. TSA Cares recommends 72 hours’ notice for screening assistance.
- Allow extra road time during Southern California rush hour. A quick airport experience does not prevent freeway delays.
Is long beach airport a Good Airport to Fly From?
For the right itinerary, long beach airport combines several features travelers usually want from a regional airport: a compact layout, short distances between major passenger facilities, nearby parking, straightforward ground transportation, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, local food, and useful nonstop connections throughout the western United States and beyond.
Its biggest trade-off is route selection. With 21 nonstop destinations, LGB cannot match the enormous network available at LAX.
But if LGB offers the flight you need, the smaller scale can make the entire trip—from parking or drop-off through security and boarding—considerably easier to manage.
Before traveling, check your airline’s current schedule, confirm your flight status, review the latest parking rate, and allow enough time for security and baggage. Those few checks are usually all it takes to get the most from flying through Long Beach.
