Isn’t it amazing how Long Beach Airport began with biplanes landing on the beach? This is your gateway to Southern California. It is halfway between Los Angeles and Orange County.
Long Beach Airport has a rich history. It is also called Daugherty Field. This name honors local aviator Earl Daugherty.
In 1911, Calbraith Perry Rodgers landed on the beach. He flew the first transcontinental flight. From 1911 until the airport’s creation, planes used the beach as a runway. Earl S. Daugherty leased the area. He put on air shows and offered passenger rides. In 1919, he started the world’s first flight school here. Daugherty convinced the city council to create the first municipal airport in 1923.
The Long Beach Airport played an important role in military history. To attract the Navy, Long Beach built a hangar and administrative building. They leased it to the Navy for $1 per year. In 1928, the U.S. Navy commissioned the field as a Naval Reserve air base. The city also built facilities for the Army Air Corps.
During World War II, Long Beach Airport became vital. The Army Air Transport Command’s Ferrying Division was stationed here. It included a squadron of women pilots. Barbara London commanded them. Douglas Aircraft also started production here. They delivered their first C-47 sixteen days after Pearl Harbor.
The Long Beach Airport has a Streamline Moderne terminal. Architects William Horace Austin and Kenneth Smith Wing designed it. It was built in 1941. Artist Grace Clements created murals and mosaics. They show aviation and navigation.
The city criminally prosecutes aircraft owners and pilots who break the noise ordinance. Commercial flights have been restricted since 1981. There is a limit on daily flights. As of 2023, there are 58 flights per day. Long Beach Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports. In 2007, it had 398,433 aircraft movements.
Today, Long Beach Airport continues to serve travelers. Southwest Airlines is now the airport’s largest airline. Several airlines offer flights to destinations across the United States.
Long Beach Airport has undergone improvements. A 136 million dollar project modernized the main terminal. It has resort-like amenities and outdoor dining areas. The airport maintains its historic charm.
Long Beach Airport is more than just a transportation hub. It is a landmark. It reflects the city’s aviation legacy. As you travel through Long Beach Airport, remember its history. Think about the pioneers and the contributions made here. Long Beach Airport connects us to the past and future of flight.