Fresno Airterminal Airport (FAT) Flights & Flight Status

Nestled in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, Fresno Yosemite Airport (FAT) is the jumping off point for adventures into the nearby national parks – Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. It always surprises me how efficient the airport is, smoothly transitioning passengers from the plane to the natural beauty on its doorstep. However, with nearly 2.5 million passengers passing through the gates annually, it can feel busy during peak periods.

The airport is continuing to expand even more to cater for increasing demand, with an ongoing terminal expansion and new flights being added to cities across the US. It’s long been the gateway for many exciting adventures into some of the most iconic national parks, and it certainly has enough amenities to make the journey as comfortable and convenient as possible.

FAT layout

The layout of Fresno Yosemite Airport is a straightforward design with a single terminal building that houses check-in counters, ticketing services and security checkpoints all under one roof. You can’t really get lost in the airport, but signage and direction is still clear all the way through from check-in to the boarding gates.

Gate areas are spacious and well-organized, providing easy access to the different boarding and arrival zones without any confusion.

The airport is currently undergoing a big terminal expansion that will bring triple international flight capacity and increased domestic flight possibilities, plus more parking and amenities. While this is going on, there’ll be some changes within the terminal so it might not look quite the same as the last time you were there.

Airlines at Fresno Yosemite Airport

Fresno Yosemite Airport is served by several major airlines providing a range of domestic flights, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines, Southwest and more. There are several cities that have non-stop flights to FAT, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland and Phoenix, which make it quite convenient for a quick vacation.

The international offering is not as expansive, but definitely improving with more options opening up after the terminal expansion. At the moment, Aeromexico and Volaris both offer international flights to Mexico each day, with non-stop routes to Guadalajara, Morelia and Leon. Guadalajara is one of the largest cities in Mexico and a main transport hub. Other destinations require a connecting flight or stopover in another major city.

Parking at FAT

The parking options at FAT are pretty straightforward and easy to use, which is a relief compared to most larger city airports. The huge parking lot is divided into clear sections, with both a covered and uncovered area available. You can pay per hour if you’re just making a quick stop or pay a daily rate for longer-term parking.

There’s also a smaller economy parking lot which is more affordable for long-term parking. This one has a flat fee per day. I have to warn you though, this does fill up quickly in peak periods and there’s no pre-booking option, so it’s first come first served.

For anything longer than 30 days, you’ll need to contact the airport directly to make arrangements for approval. EV charging is also available throughout the parking lots, so there’s no stress if you’re driving an electric vehicle.

Best places to visit near Fresno Yosemite Airport

It’s all about the outdoor beauty when visiting Fresno. The airport serves as a convenient gateway to some of California's most stunning attractions.

The most famous is Yosemite National Park and it’s perhaps a little more of a drive than people think. You have to allow about 1.5 hours to get to the South Entrance or 2.5 hours to Yosemite Valley, known for its iconic rock formations like El Capitan and Half Dome.

Similarly, the airport is also about 1.5 hours from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, depending on the exact attractions you want to reach. The famous Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park is home to towering sequoia trees, including the famous General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth.

While not part of the big three national parks, you could also visit Shaver Lake, about an hour’s drive north of FAT. This beautiful spot in the Sierra National Forest offers plenty of activities, including hiking, fishing and boating.

Transport to and from the Airport

If you’re flying into Fresno Yosemite Airport, then you’ll need some form of transport to get you to and from these incredible national parks.

The most convenient option is to hire a car. To me, there’s nothing more iconic than taking a road trip to Yosemite National Park. To cater for this, FAT has a huge rental car center at the airport with all companies located in the same lot. Familiar brands from Hertz to Avis are all available. You can either pre-book in advance (recommended in peak vacation periods) or book on arrival.

If you prefer public transport, the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS) has seasonal bus services between Yosemite National Park and the airport from May until September. However, this is definitely something you’ll need to plan and book in advance, as it’s incredibly popular and sells out often.

To get in and out of town, Fresno Area Express (FAX) operates two public bus routes into different parts of Fresno, each running every 30 minutes. Otherwise, you’ll find taxis and Uber drivers waiting just outside the arrivals area. This makes it really easy to navigate your way into town, with the airport being very close to the center.

Security at Fresno Yosemite Airport

The airport is relatively efficient when it comes to getting through security, with most of the terminal dedicated to domestic arrivals and departures. FAT recommends arriving at the airport 2 hours prior to your departure time, but it’s generally quicker than that to get through to your boarding gate. The exception is peak summer holidays, when it can seem quite crowded.

For international flights, the recommendation is to arrive three hours before your flight. However, with very limited international flights operating in and out of FAT, the wait times are generally very low and security is quite streamlined. However, you must be prepared with the appropriate documents and more rigorous TSA screening than for domestic flights.

For international arrivals, you must complete the customs clearance process with traveler entry forms and screening for prohibited items. But, you’ll find with only a handful of international flights per day, it’s rare to have lengthy waits.

Business amenities at the airport

The airport isn’t quite big enough to offer premium business lounges, but there are still a few amenities that are ideal for those looking for some quiet areas to work before a flight. The Art Lounge is where I tend to go, with its comfortable seating, charging points and beautiful works of art from local artists on the walls.

There’s also complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the airport, which is much better than other major airports. The best part is that it works throughout the terminal, no matter whether you’re checking in or waiting at your gate so you never have to worry about being offline.

Where to snack

Being a regional airport, there isn’t a huge selection of food or restaurants to choose from, but there's still no shortage of places to grab a coffee or quick bite to eat before your flight.

On the cafe front, you have Starbucks pre-security and Peet’s Coffee in the post-security zone, with both offering coffee, juices and simple grab-and-go snacks like sandwiches and pastries.

For something more substantial, the only real restaurant on offer is the second-floor gastropub, Tap & Pour. It’s open from early in the morning until very late, with regional menu items like the Yosemite Breakfast Plate for something filling in the morning and the Fresno Burger for a late night feast. It’s also the perfect place to grab a craft beer to top off a wonderful trip with your travel buddies.