ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ONT)
Ontario Int'l Airport is about 50 miles east of Los Angeles in a valley nick named by Angelenos as the "Inland Empire". Situated right on the 10 freeway, assuming traffic is light, a trip from Ontario into Downtown Los Angeles and the beaches is a straight shot. However traffic can be heavy as this area is heavy in suburban sprawl and a ride from the airport into Downtown LA can easily take up to 2 hours on peak rush hour times. Ontario Int'l is primarily used by those living in the Inland Empire areas of Riverside, Ontario, Fontana as well those residing in the desert communities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Desert. Air fares in and out of Ontario tend to be on the cheaper side-therefore an economical alternative at times to LAX
ADVANTAGES OF ONTARIO
The advantages of using Ontario over the other airports are cheaper airfares and convience. Southwest Airlines is the predominent user of the airport with fights up and down California and to Vegas and Phoenix where travelers can connect to points across the US. American, United and Delta Airlines also serve Ontario to their hubs in Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. Jetblue offers daily nonstops to New York JFK. Typically the terminals in Ontario are fairly quiet and easy to get around. For those visitors looking to take a ski trip in at Big Bear or layout at the many spas in the desert, Ontario Int'l is the way to go over any other LA airport.
DISADVANTAGES OF ONTARIO
Although the advantages of open and often empty terminals and low airfares may seem attractive, consider the geographical location of Ontario. If you are not planning on visiting any of sights of the mountains and the deserts, Ontario can be a huge pain to get to and from. Visitors having redeyes to the east coast will find no problem getting out to the airport in 45 minutes or less. But a flight in the late afternoon will have you looking at up to a 2 hour trip on the 10 freeway from downtown doing 15 to 30 MPH for the next 50 miles. Air service to Ontario is also rather limited, with even nonstop flights on the west coast not operating on the highest frequency. Visitors coming from the greater continental US will find themselves navigating a layover at one of the major hubs, often with up to 3 hour wait.
MAP OF ONTARIO AIRPORT IN RELATION TO GREATER LA:
