Flight Delayed or Cancelled at San Diego International Airport (SAN)?
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the US. Southwest runs the largest operation, and morning marine layer clouds are a common cause of delays.
Airlines and terminals
Southwest carries the most SAN passengers. Alaska, Delta, United, American, Frontier, JetBlue, and others also serve San Diego.
SAN has Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The new Terminal 1 opened its first phase in 2025, and construction continues, so allow extra time.
Your options depend on the airline operating or selling your ticket. Airline guides: Southwest, Alaska, Delta, United.
Common causes of delays at SAN
- Marine layer and low clouds, often in the morning
- A single runway, so any closure affects everything
- Occasional winter storms and wind shifts
Crew and many maintenance problems are generally within the airline's control; weather is not. See our weather delay guide.
The DOT refund rule
Flights at SAN are covered by the US DOT refund rule (14 CFR Part 260). When a flight is cancelled or significantly changed, and you choose not to fly it and don't accept rebooking or a credit, the rule requires the airline to refund the fare, taxes, and unused paid extras to your original form of payment, for any cause.
A significant change includes departing 3+ hours earlier or arriving 3+ hours later than scheduled on a domestic trip (6+ hours international), a different airport, extra connections, or a cabin downgrade. Refunds are due within 7 business days for credit cards and 20 calendar days for other payment types. Accepting the rebooked flight or a credit generally ends the refund right.
Meals, hotels, and rebooking
On the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard, large US airlines commit to free rebooking and a meal or meal voucher for 3+ hour waits when the disruption is within their control. All except Frontier also commit to a hotel and ride for overnight disruptions. Weather and air traffic control usually fall outside these commitments.
A local tip for SAN
With one runway, even a short closure at SAN can cause a wave of delays. Write down your scheduled and actual arrival times for your records.
What to do
- Screenshot every notice and reason the airline gives.
- Look at rebooking options in the app, then decide between rebooking and a refund.
- Ask for a meal voucher at the 3-hour mark if the cause is controllable.
- Keep receipts and boarding passes.
- Put your request in writing after the trip.
Related guides: Flight cancelled, Missed connection, How to request a refund in writing, All US airport guides. Not sure where to start? Check your flight.
FAQ
Does Southwest give a voucher for a delay in San Diego? Southwest's Customer Service Plan describes a voucher for qualifying delays within its control. Marine layer and other weather delays don't qualify. See our Southwest guide.
What if I already accepted a travel credit? Accepting a credit generally ends the refund right under the DOT rule. You can still ask the airline, but it may treat the credit as your choice.
Where can I complain if the airline doesn't respond? You can file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation. A clear written request with your records makes the next step easier.
Create your letter
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