Yes, Orange County John Wayne Airport (SNA) has designated outdoor smoking areas. They sit on the curb outside the Thomas F. Riley Terminal, generally on the lower (Arrivals) level near the ground transportation lanes, away from the entrances and set back at least 20 feet from the doors.
Riley Terminal – Terminals A, B and C
SNA operates from a single building, the Thomas F. Riley Terminal, divided into three areas: Terminal A (Gates 1–8), Terminal B (Gates 9–15) and Terminal C (Gates 16–22), the newest section at the south end. Terminals A and B opened in 1990; Terminal C was added in 2011, which is also when the airport gained federal inspection facilities to process international arrivals. In all there are about 20 commercial gates plus two smaller commuter areas at the north and south ends. The three sections are parts of one connected terminal, so you can generally move between them after security.
Smoking is outdoors only. There are no indoor smoking rooms or lounges in any terminal. The designated areas are on the curb outside the building — head down to the lower (Arrivals) level, exit through baggage claim, walk past the no-smoking buffer near the doors, and use the marked outdoor area near the ground transportation and pickup lanes. There are matching curbside areas outside each of the three terminal sections, so use whichever section you arrive at.
Outside the terminal – curbside zones
The same rule applies on the departures (upper) level: step outside, clear the 20-foot buffer from the entrances, and use the marked curbside areas. Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated exactly like cigarettes, so they are also limited to these outdoor zones.
SNA is a compact regional airport and the walk from most gates to the curb is short. Because the smoking areas are landside, departing passengers must re-clear the TSA checkpoint to get back to the gates — plan roughly 20 to 30 minutes for the round trip during busy periods.
| Terminal | Smoking area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal A (Gates 1–8) | Curbside outside, lower (Arrivals) level | Outdoor only; marked area at least 20 ft from doors |
| Terminal B (Gates 9–15) | Curbside outside, lower (Arrivals) level | Outdoor only; near ground transportation lanes |
| Terminal C (Gates 16–22) | Curbside outside, lower (Arrivals) level | Outdoor only; newest section (2011), southern end of Riley Terminal |
| All terminals (departures) | Curbside outside, upper level | Step past the 20 ft no-smoking buffer at the entrances |
Heading down the coast next? See our guide to smoking at San Diego Airport (SAN).
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.