Sacramento International Airport

The Sacramento International Airport has been open since October 21st, 1967. At this time, it was called Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, as it was not an international airport. In fact, only a few airlines flew out of the airport for the first few years. The airport was not very popular because there were many other airports near by that one could use.

However, the airport became popular later on when the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors decided it would be profitable to have an international airport. They made a few adjustments and changed the name in 1998. Also at this time, another terminal was built. The addition of this terminal, and the renaming of the airport to Sacramento International Airport, were completed by the end of that year. The board had intended that after the airport was modified and the name changed, it would begin to accommodate international flights. The large, new terminal was built in such a way to take care of these flights; however, this did not happen for some time.

Although the airport was renamed to include the word "International" in its title in 1998, the airport did not have an international flight until 2002. During this time, the airport and the County Board looked for airlines that would be willing to run international flights in and out of Sacramento International Airport. They were in discussion with several different airlines, but none could come to an agreement. For a couple of years, the airport and the Board believed that they should change the name back to Sacramento Metropolitan Airport due to lack of international interest.

However, in 2002, they found what they were looking for when Mexicana Airlines began non-stop service to Guadalajara, Mexico. This was due to a compromise between the airline and Sacramento County. The airport could keep its international title, and Mexicana would offer non-stop service. In 2006, the airport was actually designated a Port Of Entry into the United States. At that time, immigration and customs facilities were finalized in the airport. They had not been finalized until this time, because it was not certain that there would ever be international flights out of Sacramento. Once the flights to Guadalajara began and passengers began to also arrive from that destination, the airport board decided it was time to finalize these plans.

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The easiest way to get to the Sacramento International Airport is via ground transportation. The airport is actually located very close to the city of Sacramento. It is less than ten miles away from the central business district of this city. Therefore, the easiest and fastest way to get to the airport is to take a taxi from the city center. The taxi will get you to the airport in a short time, and the rates are not expensive.

Another way that one can get to the Sacramento International Airport is to take a bus, again from the city center. The public transit department in Sacramento has busses that stop at the airport; in fact, four of the main transit lines stop at the Sacramento International Airport. The best way to find out which one will stop at the right time is to consult a timetable for the busses in Sacramento.

The light rail service in Sacramento does go to the airport, although only at certain times. The best way to figure out which times to take the light rail to the airport is to contact the department of transportation. Therefore, this is not the most dependable way to get there.

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There are two terminals in the Sacramento International Airport. These are the original terminal building and the new terminal built in 1998. The total area of the airport building is 5,500 acres. There are two runways that are used by the Sacramento International Airport. One of them is made out of concrete, and the other out of asphalt. They are both just over 8,600 feet long.

The terminals are named the opposite of what one might assume. The first terminal to be built when the airport opened is now called Terminal B. The second terminal, which was added in 1998, is called Terminal A. This is sometimes confusing to passengers. However, once a passenger has been to the airport, they can find their way around because all the areas are clearly marked.

Starting in June of 2006, and lasting until 2012, the old Terminal B is being renovated and will be replaced by a new building. During this time, all the flights will be rerouted through Terminal A, and portions of Terminal B that are not undergoing construction. After 2012, the airport will be completed and will be able to take in even more air traffic.

The airport is set up in such a way that the best way to navigate it is to simply walk through it. The fact that there are only two terminals makes it easy on passengers. When a passenger arrives at the airport, they can consult the signs to find the ticketing agents. After they have their ticket, they can follow the signs to the correct terminal. Once at the terminal, the gates are clearly marked, as well.

Terminal A has several gates. Terminal B is currently separated into two concourses, each of which has several gates. The international flights currently arrive at a separate area, which is called the International Terminal, an offshoot of Terminal A.

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From the Sacramento International Airport, one can take a flight on several different airlines. In Terminal A, a passenger will find Air Canada, including Air Canada Jazz. They will also find Delta Airlines, which will include ExpressJet Airlines and SkyWest Airlines. A person will also be able to find Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines, both in Terminal A. In addition, US Airways, which includes US Airways Express, is located in Terminal A.

In Terminal B, one will have a choice of two concourses. In concourse B1, a passenger will find Aloha Airlines, American Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines, and United Airlines. In Concourse B2, one will find Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Mexicana, and Northwest Airlines.

In the International Terminal, one will find arrivals only. This includes arrivals from Mexicana and Frontier Airlines.

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Although the Sacramento International Airport is indeed an international airport, the only international destinations are currently in Mexico. Mexicana Airlines has seasonal and holiday flights to various places in Mexico such as Cabo San Lucas, Guanajuato, and Puerta Vallarta, in addition to regular flights to Guadalajara. However, there are several different places from which people fly into the Sacramento International Airport that are located outside the United States; thus, the airport remains an international airport.

Most of the destinations to which someone flies to from the Sacramento International Airport are domestic. These include Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. Therefore, the majority of flights leaving the airport are headed somewhere within the United States.

Although they are not international destinations, there are several long flights that leave the Sacramento International Airport. These are flights to both Honolulu, Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska. Since Sacramento is located on the east coast, flights to these destinations make sense. In fact, Sacramento International Airport is one of the main airports for Alaska Air and Honolulu Air flights.

Much of the traffic and out of Sacramento International Airport is either connecting flights or flights to smaller cities. Many local airlines and private planes also use the Sacramento International Airport, mostly because of its location on the east coast and its proximity to other areas in California.

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When one travels through the Sacramento International Airport, one can visit many shops and restaurants. The airport is divided into two main terminals. Therefore, the shops and restaurants are also divided into two main areas.

In Terminal A, one will be able to visit five retail outlets in the public area before security. These are Cinnabon, Sbarros, Starbucks, and Nelson's News and Gifts. After a person has gone through security, they have a much larger selection from which to choose. At this time, they may visit Hometown Favorites, TCBY, Cinnabon, Massage Bar, LA Salsa, Burger King, California Pizza Kitchen, Manchu Wok, Vino Volo, Starbucks, Brooks Brothers, Capitol Marketplace, Nelson's Books, and the Shoe Shine Palace. There are also several other retail establishments they can visit.

If a passenger is in Terminal B, they also have a choice of shops and restaurants to visit. Wolfgang Puck Express, Starbucks, the CNBC Store, Java City, Prospector's pub, Chili's Too, or TCBY are located before security. After they have gone through security, they can visit Gordon Biersch, Capitol Marketplace, Pyramid Alehouse, and Starbucks.

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There are several other types of amenities and services that one can find in the Sacramento International Airport. First, there is a choice of six different rental car companies. These are located near the baggage claim area. These companies will provide passengers with rental cars to use in the Sacramento area. However, since there are only six companies, it is recommended that passengers make rental car reservations ahead of time.

There are other amenities in the Sacramento International Airport, as well. Post office services for passengers are available in addition to free public Wi-Fi. This is provided by the Sacramento County Airport System. People who are traveling through the airport will be able to access the Internet twenty-four hours a day.

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Ever since September 11th, 2001, security at all airports in the United States has been tightened. Security at the Sacramento International Airport is no exception. Therefore, there are lots of security measures in place.

Passengers who are traveling on domestic flights out of the airport are urged to arrive at least ninety minutes before their flight. Most of the airline representatives will tell their passengers to be there even sooner. If a person is flying on an international flight, they are required to check in at least two hours prior to the flight.

Security is very tight at the Sacramento Airport. Also, because there are only two main terminals, there are only two main security checkpoints. Thus, the wait for security can be very long in some situations. The best bet for anyone traveling is to get to the airport as soon as they can.
However, passengers can be sure that the airport is very secure. In the last five years, all the baggage screeners and X-ray machines have been replaced. There are also mandatory training sessions that are given to everyone who works at the Sacramento International Airport.

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The majority of people who come to the Sacramento International Airport do so by car. Therefore, the airport is equipped with plenty of on-site parking. The parking ramps are located directly beneath and to the side of the airport building. Also, the parking rates are very reasonable. Therefore, you will be able to park your car at the Sacramento Airport for a long period of time if you wish. If you do not wish to leave your car at the airport, there is a drop-off section for passengers. This way, you can come by taxi or in the car of a friend or relative, and you can be let off at the terminal building. This might be the easiest way to get to the airport.

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