What To Know
- This difference in size is due in part to the fact that LAX is located on a former military base, while SFO is located on reclaimed land.
- This difference in the number of terminals is due to the fact that LAX serves a wider range of airlines and destinations than SFO.
- However, SFO is still a major airport that serves a significant number of passengers and generates a substantial amount of economic activity.
When it comes to major airports in the United States, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are often compared. Both airports serve as significant hubs for domestic and international travel, and both have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. But which airport is bigger? Is San Francisco Airport bigger than LAX? Let’s take a closer look at the data to find out.
Airport Size: Land Area
In terms of land area, LAX is significantly larger than SFO. LAX covers an area of approximately 3,500 acres, while SFO covers only about 2,700 acres. This difference in size is due in part to the fact that LAX is located on a former military base, while SFO is located on reclaimed land.
Airport Size: Number of Terminals
LAX has nine terminals, while SFO has only four. This difference in the number of terminals is due to the fact that LAX serves a wider range of airlines and destinations than SFO.
Airport Size: Number of Gates
LAX has 128 gates, while SFO has only 112 gates. This difference in the number of gates is due to the fact that LAX has more terminals than SFO.
Airport Size: Number of Passengers
In terms of passenger traffic, LAX is significantly larger than SFO. In 2022, LAX handled over 88 million passengers, while SFO handled only about 57 million passengers. This difference in passenger traffic is due to the fact that LAX is located in a larger metropolitan area than SFO.
Airport Size: Cargo Volume
In terms of cargo volume, LAX is also significantly larger than SFO. In 2022, LAX handled over 2.4 million tons of cargo, while SFO handled only about 1.5 million tons of cargo. This difference in cargo volume is due to the fact that LAX is a major hub for international trade.
Airport Size: Economic Impact
LAX has a larger economic impact than SFO. The airport generates over $12 billion in economic activity each year, while SFO generates only about $8 billion in economic activity each year. This difference in economic impact is due to the fact that LAX is located in a larger metropolitan area than SFO.
The Bottom Line: Which Airport is Bigger?
Based on the data presented above, it is clear that LAX is bigger than SFO in terms of land area, number of terminals, number of gates, passenger traffic, cargo volume, and economic impact. However, SFO is still a major airport that serves a significant number of passengers and generates a substantial amount of economic activity.
What You Need to Know
Q: Which airport is more convenient to get to?
A: Both LAX and SFO are conveniently located near major highways and public transportation. However, LAX is located closer to the city center than SFO.
Q: Which airport has better amenities?
A: Both LAX and SFO have a wide range of amenities, including restaurants, shops, and free Wi-Fi. However, LAX has a wider range of amenities than SFO.
Q: Which airport is more expensive to fly out of?
A: The cost of flying out of LAX and SFO varies depending on the airline, destination, and time of year. However, in general, LAX is more expensive to fly out of than SFO.
