โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
35
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Oakland International Airport (OAK) operates two interconnected terminals serving over 13 million passengers annually as the San Francisco Bay Area's value-oriented alternative to SFO. Terminal 1, on the western side, houses 16 gates (numbered 1, 3-8, 8A, 9, 9A, 10-12, 14, 15, 17) and hosts Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, Spirit, Allegiant, and international carriers, with Gates 1 and 3 dedicated to international flights. Terminal 2 exclusively serves Southwest Airlines through 13 gates (20-32), reflecting Southwest's dominant 80% market share at OAK.
The terminals are seamlessly connected both pre- and post-security, with an airside connector between Gate 4 (Terminal 1) and Gate 20 (Terminal 2), allowing passengers to move between terminals without re-clearing security. This design particularly benefits Southwest passengers who can access Terminal 1's broader dining and shopping options. Both terminals underwent recent renovations, with Terminal 1's $45 million upgrade completed in 2020 adding local dining concepts and improved retail.
Located 4 miles south of downtown Oakland on 2,600 acres along San Francisco Bay, the airport features four runways including the Bay Area's longest at 10,520 feet. The facility serves as Southwest's largest California operation and a growing international gateway, particularly for leisure destinations in Mexico and Central America. Despite its "Oakland" name, the airport effectively serves the entire East Bay region including Berkeley, Fremont, and San Jose's northern communities.
๐ Connection Tips
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located 4 miles south of downtown Oakland with excellent ground transportation options serving the entire Bay Area. Ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft operate from designated zones on the third curb outside baggage claim at both terminals, with typical fares of $15-25 to downtown Oakland, $40-60 to San Francisco (without surge pricing), and $35-45 to Berkeley. Eleven rental car companies operate from a consolidated facility accessed via a 5-minute shuttle ride from the terminals, with shuttles departing every 5-10 minutes from the ground transportation area. For budget travelers, AC Transit Line 73 provides local bus service to the Coliseum BART station for $2. 50, running every 20 minutes on weekdays.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) provides the most economical connection via an automated people mover that links both terminals to the Coliseum Station. Traditional taxis use the second curb with metered fares approximately 20% higher than ride-shares. The facility includes all major brands plus local agencies. The airport's location along I-880 provides easy freeway access, though Bay Bridge traffic to San Francisco can add 30-45 minutes during rush hours.
The 8-minute AirBART ride costs $6, with BART trains reaching downtown San Francisco in 25 minutes ($10. 20 total) and downtown Oakland in 12 minutes ($3.70 total). Pre-arranged limos and shuttles use the innermost curb. Door-to-door shared shuttle services like SuperShuttle serve hotels and residences throughout the Bay Area, though advance booking is recommended. Short-term parking costs $34/day, with economy lots at $18/day connected by frequent shuttles.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serves as a vital regional gateway to the Lehigh Valley and Eastern Pennsylvania. It offers a less congested and more convenient travel experience compared to larger metropolitan hubs. The airport features a single, modern terminal building spread across two levels, designed for efficient passenger processing and easy navigation. The lower level is dedicated to arrivals, housing baggage claim, car rental counters, and exits to ground transportation. The upper level manages departures, with ticket counters, airline check-in desks, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening checkpoint.
The airport continually invests in enhancing its passenger facilities. A recent TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project has significantly upgraded the security area, incorporating up to four screening lanes, modern escalators and elevators, and an enhanced air purification system. The terminal is structured with two main concourses: Concourse A on the ground level serves airlines like Allegiant Air, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, while Concourse B on the upper level is utilized by United Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
Amenities at ABE are well-appointed for a regional facility, including several cafes and snack bars, shops for essentials and souvenirs, and free Wi-Fi throughout. ABE also offers family-friendly amenities such as a children's play area, a sensory room, and a therapy dog program, along with occasional live music performances, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all travelers.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Lehigh Valley International Airport provides efficient access to Pennsylvania's fourth-busiest passenger facility serving 14 nonstop destinations through Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines from its renovated single terminal with two-level design. The airport's 14 gates split between ground-level Concourse A (8 gates) and upper-level Concourse B (6 gates) enable quick connections with minimal walking distances, while recent TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project upgrades include four screening lanes, modern escalators, and enhanced air purification systems reducing security wait times to 3-8 minutes with PreCheck or CLEAR enrollment.
Domestic connections benefit from ABE's position as an alternative to crowded Philadelphia, Newark, and JFK airports, offering reliable connectivity to major hubs including Atlanta via Delta, Charlotte via American, Chicago O'Hare via United, and Detroit via Delta for onward domestic and international connections. Regional destinations include popular leisure markets such as Fort Lauderdale, Orlando Sanford, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, and Florida Gulf Coast cities through Allegiant's low-cost network, while business travelers utilize American's Charlotte hub and United's Newark and Chicago services for broader network access.
Weather-related disruptions during Northeast winter storms can impact operations, though ABE's modern runway and de-icing equipment maintain better reliability than larger metropolitan airports. Ground transportation includes rental cars, taxis, and ride-sharing services for the 65-mile drive to Philadelphia or 90-mile journey to New York City, while regional bus connections serve Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The airport's family-friendly amenities including children's play areas, sensory rooms, and therapy dog programs create comfortable connection environments, while free WiFi and dining options support extended layovers in this efficiently designed regional aviation facility.
โ Back to Oakland International Airport