Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), formerly known as Palm Springs Municipal Airport, is located just two miles east of downtown Palm Springs, California. Covering 940 acres and operating with two runways, the airport functions year-round, though it sees its highest traffic in the fall, winter, and spring seasons.

Established in 1939, the airport was designed by renowned architect Donald Wexler. His architectural legacy is still evident in the airport’s signature modernist design, particularly in its tensile structured canopy that creates a unique impression of openness and lightness-fitting for a desert escape. Since 1965, the facility has undergone several changes, transitioning from a municipal to a full international airport, while maintaining its distinctive aesthetic.

The airport’s main terminal, opened in 1966 and also designed by Wexler, consists of a central land-side building with easy access from Tahquitz Canyon Way or Kirk Douglas Way. Parking is directly in front of the terminal. Inside, travelers will find ticketing services in the south wing, baggage claim, and rental cars in the north, and a central security checkpoint with automatic doors leading to the airside areas.

Once through security, passengers enter an open-air courtyard featuring a full-service restaurant, a coffee shop, multiple restrooms, a children’s playground, and a pet relief area. From here, travelers access the two concourses housing a total of nineteen full-service gates.

The Sonny Bono Concourse, opened in 1999 and named after the late singer and former mayor of Palm Springs, includes eight jet bridge-equipped gates. Elevated and built to accommodate larger aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family, this concourse was part of a major expansion project completed between 1994 and 2000.

In 2011, Palm Springs International Airport was recognized as the third "Most Stress-Free Airport in America" by Smarter Travel, thanks to its relaxing layout, open-air features, and streamlined design-making it a favorite among travelers seeking both comfort and convenience.