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- Things to Do
- Land Tours
- Zip Line Eco Tour
- East End Adventure
- Avalon Scenic Drive
- Skyline Drive
- Bison Expedition
- Catalina Aerial Adventure
- Inland Expedition
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Falconry Experience
- Hiking / Walking
- Ocean Tours
- Discover Two Harbors
- Undersea Expedition
- Ocean Expedition
- Glass Bottom Boat
- Flying Fish Voyage
- Fishing
- SCUBA
- Descanso Beach Club
- Cabana Rentals
- Beach Parties & Happy Hour
- Events
- Catalina Casino Tours
- Discover the Casino
- Behind the Scenes
- Twilight at the Casino
- Avalon Theatre
- Shopping
- Avalon General Store
- Island Spa Shoppe
- Catalina Gift Cards
- Golf
- Catalina Island Golf Course
- Golf Gardens Mini Golf
- Two Harbors
- Visitor Services
- Two Harbors Annual Events
- Independence Day Celebration in Two Harbors
- Wine Festival
- Microbrew Festival
- Buccaneer Days
- General Store
- Pre-Order
- Outdoor Activities
- Harbor Sands
- Safari Bus
- Hiking & Backpacking
- Biking
- Disc Golf
- Water Activities
- Shore Boat
- Dive & Recreation Center
- Fishing Skiffs
- SCUBA
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Two Harbors Boating
- Two Harbors Mooring Special
- Mooring Sites
- Mooring Around Two Harbors
- Mooring Info & Rules
- Mooring Reservations & Fees
- Boat-In Camping
- Land & Marine Services
- Course Settings
- Marine Preservation
- Lodging
- Avalon
- Pavilion Hotel
- Hotel Atwater
- Mt Ada
- Guest Rooms at Mt Ada
- ADA Features
- Two Harbors
- Banning House Lodge
- Villa Santa Rosa
- Villa Santa Cruz
- Specials
- Camping
- Two Harbors Camping
- Little Harbor
- Two Harbors
- Bahia Azul
- Brisa Del Mar
- Catalina Cabins
- Avalon Camping
- Hermit Gulch
- Primitive Camping
- Blackjack
- Parsons Landing
- Camping Guidelines & FAQs
- Rental Gear Supplies
- Packages
- Lodging
- Best of Fall & Winter
- Get Away Your Way
- Helicopter & Hotel
- Boat & Hotel
- Romance Package
- The Unwinder
- Up & Away
- Boat & Banning House Lodge
- Activities & Adventures
- Ship & Zip
- Zip & Relax
- Seasonal & Special Events
- New Year's Eve
- Best of Fall & Winter
- Camping & Boating
- Spa Packages
- The Unwinder
- Zip & Relax
- Romance Package
- Dining
- Avalon
- Avalon Grille
- Descanso Beach Club
- Descanso Fresh
- Lunch at Mt Ada
- Bistro at the Atwater
- Catering
- Two Harbors
- Harbor Sands
- Harbor Reef Restaurant
- Harbor Reef Saloon
- West End Galley
- Isthmus Picnic Sites
- Island Spa
- Spa Treatment Menu
- Sand Therapy
- Price List
- Request a Treatment
- Wellness Studio
- Fitness Schedule
- Spa Shoppe
- Packages
- Zip & Relax
- The Unwinder
- Romance Package
- Suite Experiences
- Encanto Café
- Gift Cards
- About the Island
- Blog
- History
- Catalina Island Casino
- Historical Information
- Island Guide
- Avalon
- Two Harbors
- Tour Plaza
- Pleasure Pier
- Weather
- Beaches
- Blog
- E-Newsletter
- Media Gallery
- Photo Gallery
- Casino Webcam
- Two Harbors Webcam
- Transportation & Maps
- Maps
- Getting Here
- Getting Around
- Points of Interest
- El Rancho Escondido
- Catalina Island Museum
- Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens
- Civil War Barracks
- Airport in the Sky
- Banning House Lodge
- Catalina Visitors Country Club
- Mt Ada
- Press Releases
- About Catalina Island Company
- Social Media
Airport in the Sky
Catalina's Airport in the Sky
Catalina Island's only airport is privately owned and located 10 miles (30-minute drive) from Avalon, and 13 miles (45-minute drive) from Two Harbors. The airport sits on a plateau, 1,600 feet above sea level, one of the highest points on the island.
The airport is open the public and is primarily used for general aviation. Freight aircraft arriving from the mainland also use Airport in the Sky. There are no scheduled passenger flights to and from Catalina Island.
Airport in the Sky is home to DC-3 Grill and Gifts, a restaurant and gift shop featuring Buffalo burgers, sandwiches and world famous cookies. The Skyline Drive Tour stops at the Airport in the Sky for 30 minutes. Plenty of time to shop, have lunch or visit the Nature Center. You can also get to the Airport on the Safari Bus or by hiking or biking up.
Airport in the Sky was commissioned by the Wrigley family. Two mountain tops were leveled and the remaining canyon filled in to create the 3,200 foot runway. Construction of the runway began in 1940 and was nearly complete when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941.
Because of World War II, construction was halted and the airfield, along with the rest of Catalina Island, was leased to the United States Government for $1 per year. The runway was covered with debris so that enemy aircraft would not be able to use it as a base.
After the island was returned to the Wrigley Family and the Santa Catalina Island Company, paving of the runway and completion of the tower and terminal building commenced. The airport officially opened in 1946.