John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in Orange County, California, is one of the most efficient and traveler-friendly airports in Southern California. Known for its clean layout, short walking distances, and smooth passenger flow, SNA serves as a convenient alternative to LAX for both business and leisure travelers.

The airport features three terminals — A, B, and C, each offering a mix of domestic routes operated by Southwest, American, Alaska, Delta, United, and Frontier. SNA is especially popular for quick West Coast flights and corporate travel, thanks to its close proximity to Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Anaheim. With upgraded dining areas, modern lounges, and fast Wi-Fi, SNA continues to deliver a streamlined experience for millions of passengers every year.

Security at John Wayne Airport is centralized but well-organized, offering separate TSA checkpoints at each terminal entrance. Because flights depart early in the morning and taper off by late evening, SNA’s lines tend to be more predictable than larger airports in the region.

• Terminal A – Used by Southwest and American, typically the busiest during early morning business departures.
• Terminal B – Home to Alaska Airlines and United, with stable midday traffic and TSA PreCheck lanes.
• Terminal C – Serves Frontier and Delta, often showing the shortest wait times throughout the day.

SNA security usually opens around 4:00 a.m. and closes after the final departure. Expect the longest lines from 6:00–8:00 a.m. and 4:00–6:00 p.m. CLEAR is not currently offered at SNA, but TSA PreCheck is available in each terminal for eligible travelers.

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