You're driving a stolen Cheetah at 120 mph, three police cruisers are trying to pit-maneuver you into a ditch, and the only way out is up. You need a plane. But in the heat of a five-star chase, "south" is a pretty vague direction. Finding where is the airport in GTA 5 isn't just about spotting a landmark; it’s about knowing exactly which gate won't get you stuck and which runway has the jet you actually want.
Honestly, the map of San Andreas is massive. If you're new or just coming back after a break for the 2026 updates, it’s easy to confuse the massive international hub with the dusty landing strips out in the desert.
The Big One: Los Santos International Airport (LSIA)
Basically, if you’re looking for the "main" airport, you need to head to the extreme southwest corner of the map. It's that huge, paved thumb sticking out into the ocean.
In the game world, it’s called LSIA. It’s a beast of a location with three massive runways and enough security to make your life miserable if you don't play it smart. You'll find it right at the end of the La Puerta Freeway. If you see the maze of overpasses and the big "LSIA" sign, you've made it.
How to get inside without a death wish
Entering the airport is kinda tricky depending on whether you’re playing Story Mode or GTA Online.
✨ Don't miss: Mass Effect Andromeda Gameplay: Why It’s Actually the Best Combat in the Series
- Story Mode: If you’re playing as Michael or Franklin, you can actually buy a hangar here for about $1.5 million. Once you own it, you get "hangar clearance." This means you can drive onto the tarmac, wave at the cops, and steal a Boeing-style jet without a single star.
- The Trevor Problem: Trevor can’t buy a hangar at LSIA. If he steps foot on the runway, he gets an instant three-star wanted level. It sucks, but that’s Trevor for you.
- GTA Online: You generally get a wanted level for trespassing unless you own a hangar at the airport. Even then, the "rules" are a bit looser than the single-player campaign.
There’s a "secret" entrance if you don't want to wait for the main gates to swing open. Near the Los Santos Customs in the airport area, there’s a ramp-shaped dumpster. If you hit it with enough speed, you’ll jump the fence and land right on the tarmac. Just be ready for the sirens.
The "Other" Airports: Don't Get Stranded in the Desert
Most people think there’s only one airport, but there are actually four main flight hubs across the map. If you're stuck in the sticks near the Alamo Sea, driving all the way back to the city is a rookie mistake.
1. Sandy Shores Airfield
This is Trevor’s home turf. It’s located right in the middle of the Grand Senora Desert. Look for the long dirt strip just south of the Alamo Sea. It’s mostly used for smuggling missions and spawning small prop planes like the Mallard or the Cuban 800.
2. McKenzie Field Hangar
Located in Grapeseed (just north of the Alamo Sea), this is a tiny private strip. Trevor can buy this one pretty early on to start his arms-trafficking side hustle. It’s basically just one runway and a single hangar. Don't expect to find any 747s here.
🔗 Read more: Marvel Rivals Emma Frost X Revolution Skin: What Most People Get Wrong
3. Fort Zancudo (The Military Base)
Okay, so it’s not a "public" airport, but it’s the only place to get a P-996 LAZER fighter jet. It’s located on the west coast, right next to Mount Josiah.
Warning: Unless you own a hangar here in GTA Online, entering Fort Zancudo is basically a suicide mission. The tanks will turn your car into a pancake before you can even reach a cockpit.
Hidden Secrets Inside the Airport
Most players just grab a plane and leave, but LSIA actually has a few interiors you can explore.
There is a secret terminal room at the very southern edge of the airport. If you look for a small staircase leading up to a door that looks locked, try walking into it. It often pops open to reveal a tiny waiting room with working vending machines. It’s the perfect spot to hide if you’re trying to lose a bounty in Online mode because nobody ever thinks to check the "prop" buildings.
Also, keep an eye out for the Titan. It usually spawns in the back corner of the airport near the hangars. It’s a massive cargo plane that’s surprisingly easy to fly, though it turns about as fast as a tectonic plate.
💡 You might also like: Finding the Right Words That Start With Oc 5 Letters for Your Next Wordle Win
Actionable Tips for Navigating the Airport
If you're heading to the airport right now, keep these three things in mind to save yourself a headache:
- Check your altitude: If you’re flying into LSIA from the north, stay low. There’s a flight path that triggers the "restricted airspace" warning if you’re too high over the city, which can lead to unwanted attention from police choppers.
- The LSIA Parking Garage: If you have a high wanted level and can’t get to a plane yet, drive to the top floor of the airport parking garage. There’s a ramp you can use to jump back down to the road, often breaking the line of sight with the cops long enough to lose your stars.
- Hangar Perks: In GTA Online, buying an LSIA hangar is cheaper than a Fort Zancudo one, but you lose out on the "free" military base access. If you're a city dweller, LSIA is better for quick access to your custom planes.
Finding the airport is the easy part. Surviving the trip onto the runway? That’s where the real game begins. Map out your route, keep an eye on the mini-map for the "broken" sections of the fence, and always have a parachute ready. You're going to need it.
To get the most out of your flight time, try practicing landings at Sandy Shores before attempting to weave a massive jet between the skyscrapers of downtown Los Santos. It’s a lot harder than the flight school makes it look.
Next Steps: Open your map and look for the "thumb" shape in the bottom left. Mark it with a waypoint and find that dumpster ramp near the entrance to skip the gate wait. If you're in Story Mode, save up that $1.5 million as Michael—it makes the airport your personal playground forever.