Bob Hope Airport
There is a lot to consider before flying into or out of Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California. This airport has become popular with its proximity to many major attractions in the Los Angeles area, and the fact that eight major airline carriers service it. With a little information ahead of time, travelers will find that they can easily navigate their way through the Bob Hope Airport, as well as get through security measures, find parking and transportation services, locate luggage, and make use of the services provided for those with special needs.
Originally known as United Airport, then the Lockheed Air Terminal, and finally as the Bob Hope Airport, this airport was renamed in 2003 after the famous comedian and entertainer. Bob Hope Airport is located in Burbank, California. For a short time after World War II, there was not much business at the airport as most of the major airline carriers started flying out of the Los Angeles Municipal Airport, which is now known as LAX. As aviation technology advanced, however, and jets were able to take off and land on the shorter runways of what is now known as Bob Hope Airport, major carriers began to move back in, taking advantage of the airport’s convenient location.
Bob Hope Airport’s location in Burbank makes it convenient to people living in and around Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that over five million people are in and out of the Bob Hope Airport terminal each year. It’s proximity to many major attractions including Disney World, downtown Los Angeles, the Rose Bowl, major Hollywood studios, and much more, make it an ideal and convenient choice for traveling into and out of the Los Angeles area.
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There are eight airlines that fly in and out of Bob Hope Airport, another reason it is a convenient choice for many travelers. The number of airlines offers travelers several options for destinations and pricing options. Alaska Airlines and its subsidiary, Horizon, fly in and out of the Bob Hope Airport. This Seattle-based airline’s service area encompasses around ninety cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. American Airlines also flies in and out of Bob Hope Airport. American Airlines is the largest in the world, and flies in and out of over two hundred and fifty cities around the world. The Arizona-based US Airways is another airline carrier that serves the Bob Hope Airport. US Airways is known for its low cost fares, and has flights to destinations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Another option for those looking to travel to the Los Angeles area is Delta Air Lines. This Atlanta-based airline carrier is the second-largest airline in the world. Based in New York, JetBlue Airways is a favorite choice for many travelers. Known for its low cost airfares and in-flight amenities, its no wonder it is the airline many travelers choose when flying into and out of Bob Hope Airport. Skybus, a relatively new airline carrier, also has flights into and out of this airport. Skybus offers no-frill flying for rock bottom prices. It’s claim to fame being that it guarantees that at least ten seats on each flight will be sold for ten dollars. Southwest Airlines also serves Bob Hope Airport. One of the largest carriers, this Texas-based airline offers both foreign and domestic flights to cities all over the world. A final option for travelers flying into and out of the Los Angeles area is United Airlines. This Chicago-based carrier offers daily flights to over two hundred destinations throughout the world.
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Bob Hope Airport hosts two terminals that are connected. One of these terminals, Terminal A, underwent some expansion in 2004. The airport hopes to be able to expand further in the future to accommodate all its passengers, but at the moment, any expansion of the airport is being protested by the city of Burbank. Terminal A contains nine departure gates that are used by US Airways, JetBlue, Skybus, and Southwest.
Travelers will find five gates in Terminal B. These gates are the departure locations for flights for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines. For ticketing, those flying Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways, JetBlue, Skybus, and Southwest can go to Terminal A. For those flying with Delta or United Airlines, they should go to Terminal B for ticketing information. There are also luggage claims located in both Terminal A and Terminal B of Bob Hope Airport. Passengers who arrive on flights from US Airways, JetBlue, Skybus, or Southwest Airlines should report to the baggage claims located in Terminal A. Passengers on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines should report to Terminal B to retrieve their luggage upon arrival at Bob Hope Airport. Visitors can expect to find restrooms, gift shops, telephones, and places to stop for food or a cocktail in both terminals. There are also centrally located ATMs.
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Between the number of people flying in and out of Bob Hope Airport and security measures, there are a few tips to keep in mind that can make your travel experience go more smoothly when arriving or departing from Bob Hope Airport. The first thing to keep in mind is to leave yourself ample time to arrive at the airport, find parking if necessary, check luggage, get ticketing and gate information, and go through security checks. Plan on arriving at the airport at least an hour ahead of your scheduled flight time to make sure that you have enough time to get all this taken care of without worrying about missing your flight.
Another way in which you can make your travel experience go more smoothly is to keep all your travel documents including tickets, picture identification, and passports, easily accessible in a secure location. This way you can travel knowing you have everything you need to get on your flight without having to search through packed luggage or worry over losing important information. Something else that can be helpful is to check with the Transportation Security Administration to find out ahead of time which items are prohibited in carry-on luggage. This can help with your packing, and also speed up the time it takes to get through airport security.
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Most of the time we are all appreciative of the heightened security measures that have been in effect since September 11th. It can get a little confusing when, however, when it comes time for us to fly. There are a few things you can keep in mind to help get through the security measures put in place at the Bob Hope Airport.
The first thing to do is find out which items are prohibited in carry-on luggage. This saves you time getting to your gate, and also ensures that you won’t have to leave behind any essentials when it comes time to board your flight. Plan on packing items such as shampoo, hairspray, and hair gel in your checked luggage to avoid a problem at the gate. If you are carrying gifts with you, keep them unwrapped until you get to your destination. If airport security feels it is necessary to check your baggage at any point, this would mean they would have to unwrap the gift. As mentioned in the previous section, it’s a good idea to get to the airport early.
Every passenger will have to go through some type of security measure. This is a necessary process, and a lot less frustrating when you have ample time to get through security checkpoints and make it to your departure gate at Bob Hope Airport. The security alert status is something that will affect which items you can carry onto your flight. Check with the airline or with Bob Hope Airport to find out the security alert status ahead of time.
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As with all airports, Bob Hope Airport has had a few accidents on the premises. Overall, however, it has a very good safety record with just a little over two dozen incidents reported since the airport opened in 1930. Most of these incidents occurred due to a mechanical issue with the plane or the plane overshooting the runway. In most cases there were no fatalities and very few injuries to passenger, crew or bystanders. It’s always reassuring to know you are flying from an airport with a high standard of safety, and Bob Hope Airport fits the bill.
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Bob Hope Airport has a number of ways in which it lends assistance to travelers or airport visitors with special needs or disabilities. For information about these services, travelers can talk to any of the airport police who can be found throughout both terminals, ask the Skycaps who are located at the main entrance of the airport, or use any of the white courtesy phones located throughout the airport to get in touch with Airport Operations staff. Bob Hope Airport does allow one person to accompany passengers who are disabled, elderly, or minor children to the gate. The accompanying person must first obtain a gate pass. They can do this by bringing flight information and photo identification to the ticket counter for the airline on which the passenger is flying.
Bob Hope Airport also offers handicapped parking. These spots are located in both the short term and economy lots, and can be used by anybody who has a disabled placard to display in their vehicle. The short term parking area has an elevator that services all four floors of the structure, and there is a wheelchair accessible shuttle service that runs between the economy lots and both of Bob Hope Airport’s terminals. Other services the airport offers for special needs passengers or visitors include wheelchair and skycap service, wheelchair accessible restrooms, and text telephones for the deaf or hearing impaired.
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One of the things many people worry about when arriving at the airport is parking. Bob Hope Airport makes things simple by providing ample signage in front of the terminals to guide airport passengers and visitors through the process of dropping off passengers or finding parking. Passengers are allowed to be dropped off at the curb, but cars are not allowed to wait at the curb for security reasons. Employees of Bob Hope Airport recommend driving past the baggage claim area in Terminal A to claim the best curbside access to drop off passengers.
For those in need of parking, there are several options. The first is short term parking. Bob Hope Airport has a four-story parking structure. This is ideal for parking when dropping off or picking up passengers, and is located across the street from the main airport terminal. For those who need long term parking, there are several economy lots. There are five of them, one of which has pedestrian access to the Bob Hope Airport terminals. The other economy lots offer a free shuttle that leaves every five to ten minutes and travels between the parking lots and the airport terminals. Those who require parking for an oversized vehicle must park in economy lot A. Another parking option is using the valet service. There is a fee for parking with short term parking being the most expensive and the economy parking requiring use of the airport shuttle being the least expensive choice.
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One of the foremost concerns of travelers is how they are going to get to their destination once they arrive at Bob Hope Airport. There are several options for travelers at this airport. One of them is using the Metrolink or Amtrak services. Metrolink is the Southern California commuter rail. Metrolink and Amtrak share a station within walking distance of the Bob Hope Airport terminals. The MTA buses that serve Burbank also stop at the airport. Other options for travelers include car rentals, cabs, and airport or hotel shuttles. Visitors will find counters for Avis, Alamo, Hertz, and National Car Rental within the airport.
Other car rental choices in the area of the airport include Advantage, Budget, and Enterprise. There are a number of shuttle services in the area. Travelers can check with the information counter inside Bob Hope Airport for information on area shuttles or check with their hotel to see if they offer an airport shuttle service. There are also several taxi cab and other car services available in Burbank and its vicinity. Again, travelers can check with airport information to get phone numbers and information about these services.
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