FAQs

What time should I arrive to the Airport?

Our motto is, "Arrive Early & Be Prepared!" It is recommended that passengers arrive to SBA at least 90 minutes before the flight departure time, and 2 hours prior on holidays, peak travel days (Thursday-Sunday) and/or peak travel times (early morning hours).

The Terminal and all parking lots are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Airline check-in counters open 2 hours prior to a flight's departure time.

The TSA security check point opens at approximately 4:00 am daily and closes approximately 15 minutes after the the last departure of the day.

How do I book an airline ticket out of SBA?

You can book an airline ticket by going online to the specific airline's website or calling the airline's 1-800 number, or by contacting your local travel agent. See what airlines operate out of SBA and how to contact them here. 

How do I find out when a certain flight arrives or departs?

Go to the home page of FlySBA.com and click the yellow "Today's Arrivals & Departures" button or go direct to the Arrivals & Departures page for an up to date live arrival and departure schedule. If the plane is delayed you will need to call the airline specifically to find out further information in the case of weather or equipment delay.

What are the REAL ID requirements?

Beginning May 3, 2025, you will need a REAL ID or other federally accepted form of ID (such as a Passport) to board domestic flights. Learn more at CaliforniaREALID.org  

Who is allowed beyond the screening check points?

Only ticketed passengers with boarding passes are allowed in the a gate area. However, you may receive a temporary pass from a gate agent in order to escort an unaccompanied minor or a person who is unable to proceed on their own.

What are the TSA requirements for passenger and baggage screening?

Please go to the Transportation Security Administration website.

You can also utilize TSA's automated virtual assistant AskTSA in both English and Spanish via Twitter and Facebook Messenger. Learn more here.

Screening Assistance from TSA 

TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process.

Call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the security checkpoint: (855) 787-2227

Weekdays:
8 am to 11 pm ET
Weekends/Holidays:
9 am to 8 pm ET

You may also request assistance through the TSA screening checkpoint online. 

Can I bring this with me?

TSA's 3-1-1 liquid policy and list of prohibited items outline what is allowed on flights.

What if I have a surfboard?

Many airlines flying out of Santa Barbara Airport accept surfboards. Make specific arrangements for this extra baggage with your airline when booking your flight.

What is the cost to park at the Santa Barbara Airport?

NOTE: SBA PARKING LOTS DO NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS.

Short Term Parking Lot - 500 Fowler Rd.

• Current Rates
  • 0-15 minutes: Free
  • 16-60 minutes: $2
  • Each additional hour: $2
  • Maximum charge per 24-hour period: $27

Long Term Parking Lot - 500 Fowler Rd.

• Current Rates
  • 0-60 minutes: $2
  • Each additional hour: $2
  • Maximum charge per 24-hour period: $18

Accepted forms of payments at both Short and Long Term Parking Lots include both cash and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card).

Economy Parking Lot - 140 Frederick Lopez Road (off Hollister Avenue)

Note: the shuttle runs between the Economy Lot and the Terminal every 15 minutes, 24/7.

• Current Rates
  • 0-60 min: $2
  • Each additional hour or fraction thereof: $2
  • Maximum charge per 24-hour period: $15

The Economy Parking Lot only accepts credit card payments (American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard, and Visa).

SBA PARKING LOTS DO NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS

Can my pet come to SBA?

Animals are prohibited at SBA unless the animal is a certified service animal or the animal has been registered through an airline for air travel. Please check directly with the airline for specific requirements.  

All animals must be leashed or contained in proper transport housing at all times while on any part of Airport property.

Santa Barbara Municipal Codes in regard to animals at SBA and at large:

Where is the Pet Relief Area at SBA?

A well-maintained outdoor pet relief area can be found outside the north end of the Terminal. If looking at the front of the Terminal, it can be found on the right-hand side. Waste bags are available.

Please note there is no pet relief area inside the terminal, including past the security check point. Please do not allow your pet to utilize any other area on Airport grounds for this purpose.

Please, do not allow your pet to utilize any other area on Airport grounds for this purpose.

Which airlines fly from the Santa Barbara Airport?

Visit our Flights webpage for a list of airlines that fly from the Santa Barbara Airport.

What is the telephone number for the Airport Administration Office?

The main number for the City of Santa Barbara Airport Administration Department is (805) 967-7111. 

The Administration office, located at 601 Firestone Road, is open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The office is closed every other Friday.

The Security Operations Center (SOC) can be reached at (805) 681-4803. The SOC is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more contact information, visit the contact page. 

What is SBA's Tarmac Delay Emergency Contingency Plan?

Does the Airport have an aircraft operations curfew?

No, the National Noise Abatement Act of 1990 prevents the airport from instituting a curfew on all aircraft operations.

How do I submit a noise complaint?

Visit SBA's Aircraft Noise Advisory Program webpage for more information. 

What is the address of Santa Barbara Airport Terminal?

500 Fowler Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Map

What time does the Airline Terminal open?

The Airline Terminal is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Airline check-in counters open 2 hours prior to a flight's departure time.

The TSA security check point opens at approximately 4:00 am daily and closes approximately 15 minutes after the the last departure of the day.

What is the paging telephone number at the Airline Terminal?

(805) 681-4803

Is curb-side check-in available?

Curb-side check-in is not available.

How do I request accessibility assistance at the Terminal?

For assistance at the Terminal for a commercial airline flight, please contact the specific airline with your needs. Find the contact information for airlines at SBA here. 

If you need special aids, services, or staff assistance in order to gain access to, comment at, or participate in an Airport facility, meeting, program, service, or activity, please contact the ADA liaison:
Andrew Bermond
Facilities Manager
(805) 692-4803
ABermond@santabarbaraca.gov

If possible, notification at least 48 hours in advance will enable the Airport to make reasonable arrangements in most cases.

If more immediate assistance is needed, please call the SBA Security Operations Center (SOC) at (805) 681-4803.

When do the Airline Terminal restaurants open?

Note: hours are subject to change.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: 4:30 am - 6:00 pm

Costa Terraza Restaurant & Tapas Bar: 7:00 am - 8:30 pm

Freshful Fridge: 24 hrs/day 

Santa Barbara News & Gifts: 4:30 am - 8:00 pm

Does the Airline Terminal have WiFi?

Santa Barbara Airport passengers have free access to WiFi in the Terminal.

There are several charging stations for laptop and mobile devices on the second floor of the Terminal, past the security check point.

Are car rentals available at the Airport?

All major car rentals are available at SBA.

Where can I stay once I get to Santa Barbara?

Visit Santa Barbara has a great list of varied and beautiful places to stay in the Santa Barbara area.

What are the things I can do once I get to Santa Barbara?

Welcome to Santa Barbara! Visit Santa Barbara has a fun and diverse set of resources ready for you to plan your trip here in the "American Riviera."

Luggage or other items lost on an aircraft are handled by the individual airlines directly. Visit the Contact page for the full list of airlines. 

Items lost and found in the vicinity around the airline terminal building or parking lots are handled by Airport Patrol through the Security Operations Office (SOC). Please contact the SOC at (805) 681-4803.