Breeze has flights to San Francisco and Las Vegas, plus Provo, Utah, and Hartford, Connecticut.
Perhaps you’ve been looking for cheap flights to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Utah or Connecticut and noted the new low-cost deals out of San Bernardino International Airport. If you’ve been wondering what the experience is like at this airport and whether it’s worth the hour-long drive from Palm Springs, we’ve got you covered.
Where the heck is this airport?
It’s at 105 N. Leland Norton Way in San Bernardino, just north of Interstate 10 and west of the 210, about an hour west of Palm Springs. It’s on the site of the former Norton Air Force Base, which closed in 1992, and officials there have been angling to get commercial passenger service for years. It finally started in August.
What airlines fly out of San Bernardino?
Right now, just one airline services the airport: Breeze. It has flights to San Francisco; Las Vegas; Provo, Utah; and Hartford, Connecticut.
When do the flights run, and what do they cost?
As at any airport, prices fluctuate based on the season and demand, but here’s what we found this week:
Flights to Provo generally run daily (though some Tuesdays there are no flights), with fares ranging from $62 to $438.
Flights to San Francisco generally run daily (though some Tuesdays there are no flights). One-way fares ranged from $39 to $279.
Flights to Vegas will be on Sundays and Thursdays starting in February, according to Breeze’s website. One-way fares range from $36 to $116.
Flights to Hartford will run Sundays and Thursdays starting in February and range in price from $119 to $557 each way. There’s a stop (without plane change) in Las Vegas.
How many gates does the airport have?
Three.
Can I get food there?
There are two places to eat. One is a small coffee shop before you go through security. The other is a snack bar near the three gates upstairs. At this time, there is no fresh food to speak of, just packaged items like chips, candy bars, nuts, etc.
How much is parking?
Parking is $5 per day and there are many covered spaces. You can walk directly from your parking spot to the terminal, no shuttle bus needed.
When is the airport open?
The airport is open four hours per day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Is there Wi-Fi at the airport?
Yes, SBD offers free Wi-Fi.
What’s the security checkpoint situation like?
Lines are minimal and TSA PreCheck is available (though you don’t really need it).
Is there anything of interest to look at in the terminal?
There’s an old Ford Model T in the main concourse. The gate area has nice views of the mountains.
Can I rent a car there?
Only Hertz offers service at SBD right now and is open 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
What else happens at SBD?
Mainly known for the Amazon Air jets and firefighting planes, the airport — known by its identifier SBD — has maintained a passenger terminal since 2010, but only for those traveling on charter flights.
Where can I get more info?
The airport website is flysbd.com. Breeze Airways is flybreeze.com.