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Holiday Travel Tips from Long Beach Airport

The winter holidays—especially those before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve—are always one of the busiest times at Long Beach Airport (LGB). Here are a few tips to make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Credit: Long Beach Airport

GATEWAY TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Long Beach Airport, ranked the second-best airport in the nation by The Washington Post, is centrally located between Los Angeles and Orange counties. Its carriers—Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines—offer nonstop service to airports nationwide, including Hawaii, with one-stop connections to nearly 400 cities worldwide. Learn more at lgb.org/destinations.

The Long Beach Airport's main terminal was built in 1941 and is a cultural historic landmark.

DROPPING OFF/PICKING UP

  • Arrive 90 minutes early, especially for morning flights, to allow adequate time to pass through security.
  • For drivers picking up passengers, wait in one of two free Cell Phone Waiting Lots, located on the northwest and southwest corners of Lakewood Boulevard and East Donald Douglas Drive, until your passenger calls to let you know they are ready on the curb. Circling around Donald Douglas Drive or waiting at the curb increases congestion for everyone.

PARKING

  • Parking is available in Structures A and B and valet service is conveniently located at 4137 Donald Douglas Dr., just north of the Historic Terminal.
  • Travelers also can plan ahead to secure their parking spaces in advance at lgb.org/parking.

CHECKING IN

  • Check your airline’s baggage rules and verify flight schedules in advance.
  • Packing properly can facilitate the screening process, so visit the Transportation Security Administration's What Can I Bring? website for details.
  • Travelers with pets and service animals should note the location of the relief area north of the Historic Terminal and check their airline’s policies for traveling with animals in advance.

Author

Steve Lowery
Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.

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