Best International Airlines at Long Beach California Airport for Seamless Global Travel

Long Beach California Airport is kind of a hidden gem if you want to skip the chaos of bigger airports but still fly internationally. Sure, it doesn’t have the wild range of destinations you’ll find at LAX, but it does have some solid options—mainly thanks to Hawaiian Airlines, which can get you to places like Kahului.

If you’re eyeing an international flight out of Long Beach, Hawaiian Airlines is the main game in town, especially for those key Pacific routes.

A busy international airport terminal at Long Beach, California with airplanes from various airlines parked at gates and the city skyline in the background.

You’ll find the airport experience here is a lot more chill than what you get at LAX. Fewer crowds, easier check-in, and boarding that doesn’t feel like a stampede—honestly, it’s a relief.

The airlines serving Long Beach focus on comfort and convenience, especially for those Pacific destinations. It’s a smart pick if you want a smoother start to your trip and don’t feel like battling the madness of a huge airport.

Key Takeways

  • You can fly internationally from Long Beach through select airlines like Hawaiian Airlines.
  • The airport offers less stress and easier navigation than larger airports.
  • Service quality and route choices focus mainly on Pacific destinations.

Overview of International Airlines Serving Long Beach California Airport

An airport scene showing multiple international airplanes parked and taxiing near a terminal with palm trees and coastal background.

Long Beach Airport gives you a few options for international travel. There’s a mix of major carriers and routes, so you’re not totally boxed in.

You’ll find flights that make it easier to reach popular cities in Mexico and the Pacific, without the headache of a massive airport.

Major International Carriers

Hawaiian Airlines is the big player here for international trips. They mostly fly to the Pacific and Mexico.

For example, you can go from Long Beach to Kahului in Hawaii or head to Puerto Vallarta if you’re in the mood for some beach time.

Other airlines like Southwest mostly do domestic routes, but they can get you to bigger hubs for onward international flights. Delta Air Lines is around too, offering connections to their major hubs like Atlanta (ATL).

Direct and Connecting Destinations

You can catch direct flights from Long Beach to a couple of international hot spots. Hawaiian Airlines handles Kahului (Hawaii) and Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)—both are solid vacation picks.

For other international places, you’ll usually connect through a bigger airport. Like, you might fly Delta to Atlanta (ATL) or Boston (BOS), then grab an international flight from there.

If you’re feeling fancy and want to travel first class, some airlines let you do that on connecting flights through their hubs. You could hit up New York (NY) or Detroit first, then head out internationally. Not a bad way to break up a long trip.

Comparing Airline Services and Amenities

When you fly out of Long Beach, the comfort and service you get really depends on the airline and class you pick. Some go big on premium seating, others focus more on food or entertainment.

It’s worth checking the details so you can pick what matters most for your trip.

First Class and Business Class Features

Go for First Class or Business Class and you’ll definitely notice the difference. Seats are wider, they recline way back—sometimes all the way flat.

You’ll usually get priority boarding and check-in too, so you’re not stuck in long lines. Some airlines even let you into their lounges, which means free snacks, drinks, and a quiet spot to chill before your flight.

There are often little perks too, like better meals, complimentary drinks, and amenity kits with things like headphones or eye masks. It’s stuff that can actually make a long trip feel a bit less exhausting.

In-Flight Experience

The vibe on board really depends on the airline. A lot of international carriers offer personal screens with movies, TV, and music on demand.

Food varies, but you’ll usually get a few meal choices, and they often have options for different dietary needs. Snacks and drinks are often included, especially in the higher classes.

Flight attendants on these routes tend to be pretty helpful and professional. If you need something, they’ll usually sort it out quickly.

Popular Routes and Regional Accessibility

Long Beach Airport gives you access to some key spots, both in the U.S. and internationally. You can hit up major cities in the west and south pretty easily.

The airport also connects you to big hubs, which helps if you’re using partner airlines for longer trips.

Top Domestic Destinations from Long Beach

You can fly non-stop from Long Beach to cities like Phoenix, Reno, Sacramento, and Las Vegas with Southwest Airlines. Delta Air Lines covers Salt Lake City and a few other western hubs.

It’s also easy to get to nearby airports like Burbank (BUR) and Los Angeles (LAX) if you want more options.

These routes cover the big travel and business centers in California (CA), Arizona (AZ), Nevada (NV), and Utah (UT). So, it’s not hard to connect with the West Coast or start a longer trip east.

International Travel Options

Long Beach is mostly a domestic airport, but you can grab international flights with Hawaiian Airlines and a few others. Destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are within reach, which is pretty convenient.

For more far-flung international trips, you’ll probably connect through a bigger airport like LAX. Some folks use Long Beach as a quieter jumping-off point before heading to international hubs in Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean.

Connecting Hubs and Codeshare Partners

You can connect to bigger hubs thanks to airlines partnering with Long Beach flights. For instance, Delta uses Salt Lake City as a jumping-off point to reach cities like Atlanta (ATL)—which, let’s be honest, is a massive hub for both international and domestic flights.

Southwest Airlines links Long Beach with its own network. That means you can get to hubs in Denver (DEN) and a handful of others.

From there, it’s pretty easy to reach places all over the U.S., including Colorado (CO), North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Michigan (MI), New York (NY), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Massachusetts (MA), Oregon (OR), and Alabama (AL). Kind of wild how connected you can get from just one airport.

Booking codeshare flights through these hubs opens up even more destinations. It definitely makes regional and international travel a bit more doable, even if Long Beach doesn’t fly everywhere directly.