Through the Decades - 95th Anniversary Celebration

Over the past 95 years, Long Beach Airport (LGB) has cultivated a unique history filled with memories and milestones. As part of LGB’s 95^th anniversary, we’ll be traveling back in time and revisiting some of the important moments that helped shape LGB as we know it today.

20s - LGB’s founding dates back to 1923, when 150 acres near the intersection of Spring and Cherry was set aside for use as an airfield. It was named Daugherty Field after one of Long Beach’s pioneer aviators and became the first municipal airport to serve Southern California. However, it was not until 1928-30 that actual significant development of the airport began when the City built hangars and administrative facilities for the Navy and Army Corps.

30s -The 1930s were a pivotal time for the growth of LGB. The first known, overall plan for the airport was prepared by the City Engineer and adopted by the City Council in 1940; it served to guide the airport development through the World War II period. Two runways were constructed in the mid 1930s and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) formally activated a control tower. Additionally, four major airlines (United, Trans World Airlines, American and Western) announced plans to offer service from Long Beach Airport. By the late ‘30s, the City announced plans to construct Runways 30, 25R, 16L, 25L and the existing terminal building.

40s - In 1941, the Airport achieved a major milestone with the completion of its terminal. It was designed by architects W. Horace Austin and Kenneth Wing, and has since 
been designated as a Long Beach Historical Landmark. In 1942, LGB achieved yet another milestone when it was declared number one in the U.S. for total airport operations. This era also saw the flight of the Spruce Goose, the first aircraft with a wingspan in excess of 300 feet. It was the largest flying boat ever built and made its one and only flight Nov. 2, 1947, in Long Beach. 

50s - To accommodate the growth of a booming airport, the main runway (30/12) was improved and extended 2400’ to the southeast and 700’ to the northwest from 1952-60. In July of 1955, the city approved a plan to extend the diagonal runway (30) to a full 10,000 feet and acquire additional clear zone land. These improvements brought the airport to its present size and runway configuration.

60s - Continuing through the decades, the ‘60s were a busy time for LGB. In 1965, Long Beach Airport was recognized as the busiest U.S. airport with 422,620 take offs and landings. At that time, Chicago O’Hare Airport was the second busiest and Los Angeles Airport was the third. Additionally, in 1967 service to Catalina Island began with Catalina Airlines flying from Long Beach.

70s - In September of 1970, Long Beach entered the emerging jet age when Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) introduced service to San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento. Also during this time, the control tower was moved from the top of the terminal to the current free-standing tower south of the airfield. 

80s - During the ‘80s, LGB received numerous refurbishments including the terminal building and construction of a new 16,150 sq. ft. facility. It included a passenger holdroom, security screening area and covered passenger concourse linking the Terminal Building with the new holdroom. It was built to accommodate the use of jets such as the Boeing 737 and Douglas DC- 9. Towards the end of the '80s, eight major airlines were serving Long Beach providing 39 daily flights: Alaska, American, America West, Continental, Delta, TWA, United and USAir.

90s - The ‘90s saw the first flight of the Long Beach-built C-17 Globemaster III in 1991. The C-17 commonly performs tactical and strategic airlift missions and transports troops and cargos. In 1995, LGB became one of the strictest noise-controlled airports in the U.S. after the City Council passed the Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinances.

2000s - In 2005, Barbara London Drive was christened at Long Beach Airport, with Barbara London in attendance - the only female pilot to receive the Air Medal for her service in WWII. In 2006, Boeing delivered the final two 717s. The final Boeing 717 was the 15,599th plane built by the Long Beach plant. 

Present - The final decade of our LGB blast to the past. This current decade has been a memorable one with lots of enhancements. In 2012, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the new concourse. In 2015, the award-winning mosaics in the historic terminal building were carefully restored after seven decades. Parking Structure A was renovated in 2017 and in 2018, Hawaiian Airlines began its first service from Long Beach to Honolulu. It offers quick and easy access for travelers to Hawaii in a new aircraft fleet, the Airbus A321neo. Also in 2018, LGB redesignated two-parallel runways after 66 years. Runway 7R-25L became 8R-26 and Runway 7L-25R became 8L-26R. The new designated runway was changed due to the shift in the earth’s magnetic field.

In the coming years, LGB will continue to make strides towards upholding its reputation as a stress-free airport. Thanks for joining us in our look back at the last 95 years.