Free Tour of John Wayne Airport(SNA)

Credit: City of Fullerton/Fullerton Municipal Airport

I posted recently about the Free Airport tour offered by the John Wayne Airport. Did you know that there are 8 local airports that offer Free behind the scenes tours? Here is a list of airports offering airport tours, links and details. Most require reservations. Plan accordingly and be prepared for a great time. Most require children to be 5 and above except for San Diego International Airport and Compton Airport which are all ages.

It would be a perfect Spring Break Activity. I have two kiddos that are obsessed with airplanes that I plan on taking soon. Have fun!

Compton Airport Tour: Call (310) 618-1155 in advance for tours.

Fullerton Airport Tour: Tours available Mon, Wed and Fri between 10am and 2pm, schedule a tour by calling (714) 738-6323

John Wayne Airport Tour: 5 yrs and up- 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call ahead for reservations (949) 252-5168

Los Angeles International Airport Tour– LAX Tour: Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 am for 2nd grade students and above at the Flight Path Learning Center Museum. Reservations Required (424) 646-7450.

Long Beach Airport Behind The Scenes Tour: 7+
Due to the popularity of tours, all tours must be booked a month in advance. For reservations or for further information contact Public Affairs at 562-570-2678

Ontario Airport Tours: Tour hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please call (909) 544-5370 for tour availability during posted and after-hours.

San Diego Airport Tour– “Terminals to Tarmac” Tour: All Ages-second and fourth Thursday at 10 a.m. and Friday at 1 p.m. Reserve online.

Van Nuys Airport Tour :First grade and up- Wednesdays, Thursdays, and select Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Reservations are required (818) 442-6526.

Credit: John Wayne Airport- Stephen Francis Photography

I’m trying to revamp the blog by adding some fun features and Creative headshots. Tuesday’s Tip is one of those series and will feature secret outings or hidden gems in Southern California. To start out the series I wanted to share something that I have been wanting to try with my kiddos.

John Wayne Airport(SNA) offers Free Guided Tours of the Thomas F. Riley Terminal, free of charge, as part of the John Wayne Airport Public Affairs Program. Volunteer tour guides, including private pilots, teachers, executives and Airport employees, donate their time to familiarize the public with the Terminal.

The Tour begin at the John Wayne statue on the Arrival (lower) Level (bring your camera!).

Your group will be able to view and receive explanations of how planes fly, the Wright Brothers flight, terminal architecture, historical photo displays, rental car areas, baggage carousels, airline ticket counter areas, security checkpoints, flight display monitors, paging, and skycap activity. The last stop on the tour is an area where the participants can view the airfield and planes taking off and landing.

Tours are scheduled in advance (usually two or more weeks). To arrange a tour, please call the John Wayne Airport tour coordinator. Tours are offered usually at 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (call regarding other start times). Saturday tours can also be arranged. The tour lasts between 1 to 1-1/2 hours. There is no charge for the tour. An activity book with representative pictures of stops on the tour and educational pages is provided to the kiddos.

Your group can participate in the tour with a minimum or two to three people and a maximum of twenty five. Children must be 5 years old to participate.

The only thing you have to pay for is parking. You can park at the airport’s structure for $2.00 an hour.

For additional information head here.