Los Santos International Airport: What Does It Mean in GTA?

Los Santos International Airport (LSIA) is the main airport of Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online. Modelled on Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), it sits in the south of the city next to the Port of Los Santos and is home to the Flight School, aircraft hangars and many missions and heist setups.

How It Works

LSIA has three runways: 12-Left and 12-Right running east to west, used by large jets and private hangars, and the shorter Runway 3 used by small business jets. The northern side has four passenger terminals, two parking garages, a control tower and the Sightings Bar and Restaurant, a nod to the Theme Building at LAX. Private hangars, a smaller secondary terminal and a cargo area sit around the edges of the tarmac.

The airside area is restricted. In story mode, trespassing on the runways gives you a three-star wanted level. Originally Michael and Franklin could avoid this only by buying a hangar at the airport; since The Business Update they have tarmac access from the start. Trevor can never enter the airside area without getting a wanted level, and you can stay on the shoreline outside the perimeter fence safely. In GTA Online the gates stay closed unless you own a hangar or have a Pegasus aircraft waiting, so players often jump or drive through the weaker fences instead.

Where You'll See It

• Flight School. The San Andreas Flight School is on Exceptionalists Way at the airport. In story mode it opens after the mission Friends Reunited and has 12 lessons with bronze, silver and gold medals; Michael and Franklin benefit most, since Trevor is already an expert pilot. In GTA Online it requires the San Andreas Flight School Update and rank 6, and has ten solo lessons.
• Story hangars. Michael and Franklin can buy a hangar at the airport after the mission Nervous Ron, using the For Sale sign at the property. It stores aircraft bought from the in-game Warstock site.
• Smuggler's Run hangars. In GTA Online two of the five Smuggler's Run hangars, LSIA Hangar A17 and LSIA Hangar 1, are at the airport. The others are at Fort Zancudo.
• Story missions. LSIA appears in missions including By the Book, Eye in the Sky and Legal Trouble, and in the end credits.
• GTA Online. A new character's story begins here, with Lamar picking you up from the airport. The location also appears in the Prison Break heist, Doomsday Heist setups, Cayo Perico prep work (the RO-86 Alkonost is delivered to Miguel Madrazo's private hangar at LSIA), Los Santos Tuners contracts and The Contract missions.

Tips

• Buy a hangar if you fly often. In story mode it gives Michael or Franklin a place to keep aircraft at LSIA; in GTA Online it also opens the airport gates and lets you store and call aircraft.
• Do the Flight School early. The lessons teach take-offs, landings, formation flying and low-level flying, which help in many aerial missions.
• Use the open runways for escapes. The airport is flat and exposed, so plan an exit route before starting trouble; cover is limited once police or players arrive.
• Know the fences. In GTA Online, if you do not own a hangar, look for weak fence sections instead of waiting at closed gates.
• Watch the sky. Jets regularly take off and land on runways 12-L and 12-R, so do not park or race across them carelessly.

FAQ

How do I get onto the LSIA runway without a wanted level?

In story mode, play as Michael or Franklin: in current versions they have tarmac access, and on older versions buying a hangar grants it. Trevor always gets a wanted level. In GTA Online, own a hangar or have a Pegasus aircraft delivered there; otherwise the gates stay closed.

Where is the Flight School in GTA V?

At Los Santos International Airport, on Exceptionalists Way.

Which real airport is LSIA based on?

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Several landmarks, including the Sightings Bar and Restaurant and the light towers, are inspired by it.

Can I buy a Smuggler's Run hangar at LSIA?

Yes. LSIA Hangar A17 and LSIA Hangar 1 are both at the airport; the other three options are at Fort Zancudo.