Los Angeles is one of the largest and most important air travel hubs in the world, with its primary gateway, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), playing a dominant role in connecting the city to global destinations. However, the city’s aviation infrastructure extends beyond LAX, with two additional busy airports within Los Angeles County: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Long Beach Airport (LGB). These airports, while smaller in scale compared to LAX, offer crucial alternatives to passengers, contributing significantly to the region’s air travel network.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a key player in global aviation. In 2024, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) secured the seventh spot globally for aircraft movements, experiencing a 1.2% growth in flight operations compared to the previous year, as reported by Airports Council International (ACI). As the busiest airport in the region, LAX plays a vital role in handling both domestic and international passengers. Despite its prominence, however, Hollywood Burbank and Long Beach airports are essential parts of Los Angeles’ aviation system, providing more flexibility and accessibility for travelers.
Among the three airports in Los Angeles County, Hollywood Burbank stands out for its continuous growth. According to data from Cirium’s Diio Mi, Hollywood Burbank is expected to handle 650 weekly direct departures by July 2025, nearly double the number of weekly departures at Long Beach, which is projected to be 335. Southwest Airlines leads as the largest carrier at both airports, operating 373 weekly departures from BUR and 300 from LGB.
The airport has seen a steady increase in passengers over the years. In May 2025, Hollywood Burbank experienced a 7.5% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same month in 2024, continuing its upward trajectory with over 6.5 million travelers passing through the airport in the previous year. Despite this growth, the airport will face a slight decrease in flight capacity in July 2025, with a 7.8% reduction in weekly departures and a 13% drop in available seat kilometers (ASK). This decrease is attributed primarily to Southwest Airlines, which has cut 38 weekly flights from its schedule.
In addition to Southwest Airlines, other carriers such as Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Spirit Airlines have also scaled back their flights in response to the growing demand for premium travel services. However, Hollywood Burbank continues to expand its offerings, with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines adding additional daily flights to key destinations. Delta’s increase in flights to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and United’s expansion to Denver International Airport (DEN) are notable examples of the airport’s growth.
While Long Beach Airport is smaller in size, it still holds a significant place in the Los Angeles air travel market. Long Beach is projected to handle 335 weekly departures in July 2025, with Southwest Airlines accounting for almost 90% of these flights. The airport is served by three main airlines—Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Hawaiian Airlines—offering a more limited yet still valuable range of flight options.
Long Beach’s appeal lies in its smaller scale and more relaxed atmosphere compared to larger airports like LAX and Hollywood Burbank. This makes it an attractive choice for passengers seeking a quicker, less crowded airport experience. The airport primarily serves popular domestic destinations, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Sacramento, but also offers international routes, including daily flights to Honolulu and Kahului by Hawaiian Airlines. Delta provides service to Salt Lake City, making the airport a viable option for regional travel.
In a notable development, Southwest Airlines recently launched red-eye flights from Long Beach to Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), offering additional flexibility for travelers. This growth aligns with Southwest’s broader plan to enhance its presence at Long Beach, highlighting the airport’s rising significance within the region’s air travel landscape.
Both Hollywood Burbank and Long Beach airports have undergone significant changes in their flight schedules for 2025. Hollywood Burbank will lose six routes in July, including flights to destinations such as Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Colorado Springs, and New Orleans. Avelo Airlines has also canceled several routes, while Southwest Airlines has reduced its network, cutting flights to cities like New Orleans, Portland, and San Antonio. Spirit Airlines has similarly reduced its operations by eliminating routes to Oakland and Portland.
However, Hollywood Burbank continues to serve a wide variety of destinations. The airport’s busiest route remains Las Vegas, with 86 weekly flights to the city. Other popular routes include San Francisco and Phoenix, with 63 and 59 weekly departures, respectively. Despite losing some routes, the airport still maintains a strong presence with 31 destinations and 39 unique routes.
At Long Beach, Southwest Airlines remains the dominant carrier, operating 89.5% of the airport’s weekly departures. The airline’s most popular destinations include Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Sacramento. Delta and Hawaiian Airlines also maintain flights to Salt Lake City and Honolulu, respectively. Long Beach maintains a streamlined yet efficient route network, offering vital connections, though with fewer options when compared to Hollywood Burbank and LAX.
Los Angeles is an aviation powerhouse not only because of LAX but also thanks to the complementary roles played by Hollywood Burbank and Long Beach airports. While LAX continues to handle the lion’s share of global and domestic flights, Hollywood Burbank’s growth and Long Beach’s niche offerings contribute significantly to the region’s connectivity. With continuous adjustments to their networks, these airports will continue to serve travelers seeking alternative routes, flexibility, and a more personalized experience, all while reinforcing Los Angeles’ status as a key global air travel hub.
