One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
ONT8.2
SNA9.0+0.8
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
ONT7.2
SNA8.4+1.2
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
ONT7.0
SNA7.5+0.5
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
ONT6.6
SNA8.0+1.4
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
ONT7.2
SNA7.6+0.4
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
ONT7.2
SNA8.0+0.8
Best for
ONT
Inland Empire / east LA-basin departures that would otherwise fight LAX trafficPriority Pass / LoungeKey holders — Aspire is in both terminalsSouthwest, American, Delta, United, and Taipei (China Airlines / Starlux) banksSame-day CBP on Avianca / Volaris / China Airlines / Starlux arrivals at the IAF
SNA
Disneyland and Orange County tripsFamilies and short-haul domesticQuick security and easy navigationAvoiding LAX chaos
Watch out for
ONT
No airside walk between T2 and T4 — a terminal change is a reclearNo Sky Club, Admirals Club, United Club, or Centurion LoungeCLEAR T2 closes 17:00 and T4 19:00; late T2 banks are Standard laneNo train in the terminal — ONT Connect + Metrolink is not overnight
SNA
Terminal parking fills quickly—use Main Street or arrive earlyTiny lounges that pack out before premium flightsLimited late-night food and no Priority Pass optionsSingle runway + noise rules can amplify delays or cancellations
Amenities and tips
ONT
Aspire Lounge (both terminals)ONT Connect + MetrolinkCLEAR + TSA PreCheck16 hydration stationsChick-fil-A in both hallsONT-WiFi
T2 evenings and T4 mornings are the long lines
Official OIAA peak windows are Terminal 2 04:00–07:00 and 19:00–23:00, and Terminal 4 05:00–09:00. TSA says under 20 minutes off-peak and 30+ when a bank hits.
Pick T2 or T4 before you clear TSA
There is no post-security walk between Terminal 2 and Terminal 4. A covered landside walkway links them; changing terminals means reclearing.
Chick-fil-A is in both halls — closed Sunday
Official dining lists Chick-fil-A at Terminal 2 Gate 206 (opened Jun 2026) and Terminal 4 Gate 405, plus Brewery X in both terminals.
SNA
Free fast Wi-FiFamily play area & nursing loungeLocal-leaning diningAirline loungesRideshare & parking optionsAccessibility & helping hands
Arrive 90 minutes domestic max
Security averages under 10-15 minutes even without PreCheck; 60-75 minutes often suffices off-peak.
Treat A/B/C as one building
All gates are airside-connected; farthest walk is ~10 minutes/half-mile.
Hit local spots over chains
Brodard Express (Vietnamese), Taps Fish House, Greenleaf, and Ruby’s Diner beat generic airport fare.
ONT · Two compact 1998 halls with a real Priority Pass Aspire on each side and a $2 Metrolink shuttle — undercut by no airside T2↔T4 walk and a 35-mile slog to downtown Los Angeles.
SNA · Exceptionally easy and highly rated compact airport with top customer satisfaction, quick everything, and perfect OC location, traded against limited lounges, no rail, and single-runway vulnerability.
