The Next Cranky Dorkfest is September 19, 2026
RSVPs are Now Open But the Ramp Visit is Waitlist Only!
Welcome to the main page for everything you need to know in order to attend Cranky Dorkfest, the airline industry’s best and geekiest gathering* for those of us who like to watch airplanes, talk shop, and eat burgers.
Cranky Dorkfest is always held in Los Angeles (LAX) on the second or third weekend in September, the same weekend as NYC Aviation’s SpotLAX so you can have one long weekend of avgeeky fun.
There are usually two events under the Cranky Dorkfest umbrella:
- A morning ramp visit at LAX
- The Main Event at the park across from the In-N-Out Burger just off the northeast end of the airfield at 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 from 11am to 1pm
*Says me, and if you got a problem with it, too bad
The Morning Ramp Visit – CURRENTLY WAITLIST ONLY
It has become a tradition for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to open up the ramp outside the Flight Path Museum for Cranky Dorkfest attendees on the morning of the event. There, we get to watch airplanes depart and arrive on the south runway complex up close. They also bring in some static aircraft displays that we get to crawl around on.
In 2025, we had the lovely American B737-800 Astrojet livery and a gigantic Delta A350-900:
This year, it should look pretty similar to last year with two changes:
- There won’t be remote parking this year. There is another lot that we will be able to use within walking distance of the event, but this has limited parking. So, we need to know if you’re driving and how many people will be in your car in your RSVP so we can dole out parking passes when it gets closer.
- Instead of using buses for remote parking this year, LAX will be using them to give airfield tours. Stay tuned for more info on that.
The Main Event
The Cranky Dorkfest Main Event is what started it all back in 2011 with a simple premise. Let’s all get together and do three things:
- watch airplanes
- eat In-N-Out burgers
- talk shop
Now, hundreds of people converge on LAX each year on a Saturday in September to do just that. Over the years, airlines have wanted to support the event, so they provide prizes which we hand out at a giveaway during the day.
- Timing: 11am to 1pm on Saturday, September 19
- Location: The park across from the In-N-Out Burger just off the northeast end of the airfield at 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 from 11am to 1pm
An RSVP is NOT required, but if you want to be eligible for the giveaways, you do need to register in advance of the event:
Get Your Official T-Shirt
Once again we are partnering with Plane Apparel Co to design this year’s official Cranky Dorkfest t-shirt. You can order it here.
FAQ
General
When is Cranky Dorkfest?
September 19, 2026 with the Main Event from 11am to 1pm and the LAX ramp visit from 8am to 12pm with a slight overlap.
Where is Cranky Dorkfest held?
It is held at and around LAX, Los Angeles International Airport with the Main Event at the park across from the In-N-Out Burger just off the northeast end of the airfield at 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The LAX ramp visit is at the Flight Path Museum at 6661 Imperial Hwy., Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Do I need to RSVP to attend?
RSVP is required for the LAX ramp visit and to be eligible for the giveaways. Otherwise, it is not required.
How do I get to Cranky Dorkfest?
We aren’t able to provide transportation to and from the various events, so it’s best to stay local in the airport area, stay near public transit, use rideshare, or rent a car. If you’re local, rideshare is a great option, public transit can get you to LAX, or you can drive a car.
Do you have a group rate at a hotel I can use?
We do not arrange any hotel blocks for the event. There are plenty of airport hotels all around the area where you can find a room. SpotLAX does usually arrange for a hotel block at the H Hotel, so you can check with them.
What is this SpotLAX thing?
SpotLAX is NYC Aviation’s annual pilgrimmage to watch airplanes and take photos at LAX. We have held the events the same weekend for several years now to make it possible for people to have a fully-packed weekend of geekery. SpotLAX has events Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday morning. Visit NYC Aviation for more detail.
Why are you doing this? What do you get out of it?
Good vibes. We don’t have sponsors and that’s on purpose. This is purely for the love of the game.
LAX Ramp Visit
Is it really full and waitlist only now?
I’m afraid so, we’ve had incredible response this year and had to turn on the waitlist within 24 hours. Due to capacity limits at the ramp, this is limited. Sign up using the RSVP and we will email you to notify if you clear the list.
How do I get to the LAX Ramp Visit from LAX?
We suggest using rideshare as the easiest option. If you must, we will have limited parking available. Note that in your RSVP. You can also try using transit, but there aren’t great options. Your best bet is to consider Metro Micro.
Do you provide parking at the ramp visit?
The LAX ramp visit will have limited parking available within walking distance of the event (unlike last year which required busing). If you plan on driving, please select that option in the RSVP. You will then be prompted to say how many people are in your car, so we can prioritize spots if needed. You will be emailed closer to the event if you are eligible for a parking pass.
If I can’t get a parking pass, what do I do?
We are hoping we don’t have to turn people away, but if you don’t get a parking pass, then we suggest using rideshare. You can also look for street parking which is available on California and Imperial in the vicinity of the museum.
The Main Event
Do I need a ticket?
No you don’t. You can just show up, though if you want to have a chance to win in the giveaway raffle, you’ll need to RSVP in advance.
How much does it cost?
Nothing! Well, maybe if you have to pay to park somewhere, but the event itself is free to all
Is there a limit to how many people can attend?
No there’s not. Just come on by and have a good time.
Do you provide parking at the Main Event?
We are unable to provide parking at the Main Event. You should be able to find street parking in the general area or you can take public transit/rideshare.
How can I take public transit to the Main Event?
The new LAX/Metro Transit Center is served by several bus lines throughout the area along with two rail lines (C/Green and K/Expo).
From the LAX/Metro Transit Center, there are three bus lines that stop across the street from In-N-Out at the Westchester/Sepulveda stop:
- Culver CityBus 6 goes from UCLA through Culver City to the LAX/Metro Transit Center
- LA Metro 102 goes from South Gate past USC and Leimert Park before coming to the LAX/Metro Transit Center
- Santa Monica Big Blue Bus 3 goes from downtown Santa Monica to the LAX/Metro Transit Center
Broader LA Metro Rail Map:
LAX Area Map:
Can I walk to the Main Event?
That depends on where you’re coming from! But if you’re at LAX, then you sure can. It may not be the most pedestrian-friendly airport, but there are signs to walk toward the LAXit lot and then you can just keep going to the east side of Sepulveda. Head north and you’ll be at the park in just a few more minutes. Here’s a map:
How do I enter the giveaways?
You will have to RSVP. We pick the winners from the list of RSVPs in advance. If you aren’t on the list, you can’t win anything. So make sure to follow the rules of when RSVPs are open.
Is there a cost to enter the giveaway raffle?
Nope, no cost at all. Just make sure you RSVP and you will be entered.
What do you give away in the raffle?
We have various airlines, media companies, and airline-related sites that donate models, tickets, mileage, subscriptions, and more to the raffle so they can take part in the fun. In 2025, we had:
- Airlines: Alaska/Hawaiian, American, Avelo, Breeze, JetBlue, Porter, Southwest, Spirit, and United
- Subscriptions: Flightradar24, JetTip, Seats.aero, The Air Current
Can I donate something to the raffle?
We appreciate the offer, but we don’t take donations from individuals to avoid having the raffle go too long. If you’d like to, feel free to bring stuff and hand out to people who are there. (Kids love goodies.) If you’re from an airline and would like to participate, send an email to cf@crankyflier.com.
Do you still have questions? Send us a note at cf@crankyflier.com and we’ll be happy to do our best to answer.