John Wayne Airport (SNA)
is one of five airports serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Although most flights take off and land on one runway, the airport handles several thousand flights every month.

A total of 11 airlines serve SNA, offering over 1.1 million seats this month. However, a large portion of those seats are scheduled by low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines
.

San José, Las Vegas, & Oakland

This month, SNA will handle 7,804 flights this month, according to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium. Those who frequent the airport know that Southwest dominates the market share. The Dallas-based carrier will operate a total of 2,466 flights, offering 352,638 seats.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s.

Photo: Southwest Airlines

Its most popular destination this month is San José Mineta International Airport (SJC)
, with 225 flights in each direction, which totals 64,350 seats. The second busiest destination is Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
, where 213 flights will be operated in each direction. The route will have 60,918 seats across all the flights. Southwest’s third most popular destination from SNA is San Francisco Oakland Bay International Airport (OAK)
. The carrier has 194 flights and 27,742 seats scheduled from SNA to OAK, while in return, there will be 193 flights and 27,599 seats.

Interested in this route? Find flights between Orange County & Oakland right here!

According to The New York Times, Southwest is California’s busiest airline, otherwise known as “the unofficial airline” of the Golden State. It is also the top carrier at seven of California’s 10 busiest airports, taking up more than half of all air traffic in Oakland, San José Sacramento, Burbank, and Long Beach.

Only one aircraft type

With nearly 2,500 flights this month, its presence at SNA is also significant. Interestingly, despite being a major Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 operator, Southwest only deploys the 737-700 at SNA. The aircraft accommodates a total of 143 passengers, while the larger -800 and MAX 8 variants are equipped with 175 seats.

Weight issues are likely a factor behind the airline’s decision to only use the 737-700
. SNA’s runway is only 5,700 feet, meaning a completely full 737-800 or MAX 8 could be too heavy for a safe take-off or landing on the runway. Other carriers, such as American Airlines
, Alaska Airlines
, and United Airlines
, regularly utilize their 737-800s at SNA, but they have fewer seats due to being arranged in a two-class format.

Over 1,200 flights compared to Alaska’s operation

Other than SJC, LAS, and OAK, Southwest serves SNA from 10 other destinations:

  • Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
  • Dallas Love Field (DAL)
  • Denver International Airport (DEN)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR)
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
  • Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)

Seasonal service is offered to William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Nashville International Airport (BNA), and St. Louis International Airport (STL).

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 lands at MCI

Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock

Southwest will fly 1,282 more flights than Alaska, which will operate the second-most frequencies at SNA this month. The Seattle-based airline, in combination with its regional flights operated by Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines, has 1,322 frequencies scheduled. United and American follow with 1,154 and 1,130 flights, respectively.

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