A guide to Long Beach Airport (LGB)
Quick insights
- Long Beach Airport (LGB)—a unique airport with Art Deco design and open-air boarding—serves mostly domestic routes.
- Ground transportation options include taxi and rideshare services, car rentals and several Long Beach Transit bus routes.
- TSA security wait times are generally between 5 and 15 minutes, though they may be longer during peak periods.
LGB may be a convenient choice for travelers flying in or out of the Greater Los Angeles area due to its nonstop service to destinations across the U.S., particularly within California and its neighboring states.
LGB offers a fun, retro travel experience, from the historic terminal’s design to its open-air boarding process. You’ll typically walk across the tarmac when boarding and deplaning at LGB. Plus, the airport features outdoor spaces within the concourses designed for travelers to soak up the California sunshine while waiting to board.
We’ve gathered some information to help streamline your travel, including parking and transportation options, along with tips for clearing security more quickly.
Navigating to and from LGB Airport
LGB is located at 4100 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, CA 90808, a roughly 15-20-minute drive from downtown Long Beach (depending on traffic). Downtown Long Beach is accessible via I-405 North.
Transportation options may include:
- Car rentals: Rental counters are located in the Ground Transportation Center directly across the street from the terminal.
- Taxis: The taxi stand is located outside the terminal next to Parking Structure A.
- Rideshare services: Rideshare meeting points are located by the outer curb in front of the terminal. Check the rideshare app for specific pickup details.
- Long Beach Transit bus routes: Routes 102, 104 and 111 stop near Parking Structure A off Barbara London Drive and connect travelers to downtown Long Beach, Metro A Line stations and surrounding neighborhoods. Specific route details and schedules may be available directly from Long Beach Transit.
- Hotel shuttles: Many nearby hotels offer complimentary shuttle service to and from LGB for their guests. Shuttles typically pick up at the Ground Transportation Center. Details and availability may be provided by your hotel.
- Shuttle and limo services: LGB also has a list of approved ground service providers, such as private shuttles and limousines.
The Transportation pageOpens overlay on the LGB site typically provides options for booking taxis online and lists approved ground service providers.
Airport parking at LGB
Here are the parking options at LGB:
- Lot/Structure A: Covered short- and long-term parking options closest to the terminal.
- Lot/Structure B: Adjacent to Structure A, it offers similar parking options and is a short distance from the terminal.
- Cell phone lot: Free waiting area for drivers picking up arriving travelers.
- Valet Parking: Located at the stand on Donald Douglas Loop (across from the Ground Transportation Center). This parking option typically includes a complimentary car wash.
The LGB Parking pageOpens overlay includes information such as maps, advance booking and current rates.
Security at LGB
The security checkpoint is just beyond the Ticketing Lobby and serves both concourses. After screening, travelers can move freely between the North and South concourses without the need for rescreening.
Average security wait times are generally between 5 and 15 minutes. Wait times may be longer during holidays or busy morning times but are generally shorter than many nearby larger airports.
It’s generally recommended to arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight. When planning your airport arrival time, you may want to consider how long pre-boarding tasks like parking and checking bags will take.
How to get through security faster
LGB participates in TSA PreCheck®, which may help streamline security screenings. With TSA PreCheck, eligible travelers may have access to designated lanes at airport security checkpoints and typically don’t need to remove light jackets, shoes or belts during screenings. TSA PreCheck membership lasts for 5 years, potentially making it a good value for frequent travelers.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TSA PreCheck application fees.
LGB map
The airport offers a map of LGBOpens overlay on their site, including amenities, dining and shopping locations.
LGB terminal
The airport features a single-level, compact terminal complex with two concourses: North and South. The terminal complex is “open air,” meaning that some areas are outdoors. Within the complex, there’s a Ticketing Lobby, TSA Checkpoint and Baggage Claim, all adjacent to each other.
The historic terminal building no longer houses these core passenger functions. Instead, the space houses administrative offices and is also used for public gatherings and exhibitions.
In summary
LGB offers a unique travel experience, combining its historic Art Deco terminal and open-air boarding process with modern convenience. Some ground transportation options may include car rentals, taxi and rideshare services, public transportation and hotel shuttles. There are two parking structures with short and long-term parking options, as well as valet parking services and a Cell Phone lot.
Security wait times are generally between 5 and 15 minutes, but may be longer during holidays and early mornings. While the routes offered at LGB may be more limited than some nearby larger airports, it’s generally an efficient process to get to your gate.
