After the federal government shutdown ended last week, airports are prepared to return to normal service ahead of the holiday season, but Bay Area airports are advising that passengers still need to plan cautiously before taking flight to visit loved ones.
The Bay Area’s three largest airports urge passengers to arrive with plenty of time for long lines and unexpected delays since the holiday season represents one of the busiest travel times through airports.
The annual AAA holiday travel forecast estimates over 81.8 million people will be traveling across the country between Friday and Dec. 1, an increase of more than 1.3 million from the previous year.
San Francisco International Airport predicts over 6.3 million people will be traveling through the airport between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, a 4% increase from the same period in 2024.
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport estimates over 250,000 people will be passing through in just the final weeks of November.
“We wish travelers and our Bay Area community a very happy Thanksgiving,” said Port of Oakland director of aviation Craig Simon. “As OAK will be busy for the holidays, passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport early, reserve parking ahead of time, and check in with their airline before coming to the airport.”
San Jose Mineta International Airport predicts it will average over 16,000 people daily between Friday and Dec. 1, which could lead to lines at check-in and security areas.
The three airports are providing the same advice for all travelers: plan to arrive at the airport with plenty of time and with plans for ground transportation already in place.
They suggest arriving at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
Travelers should have either a REAL ID or another government-issued document, such as a passport, to pass through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.
For those planning to park at the airports, reserving parking in advance is highly recommended to secure a spot. And for travelers planning on using other methods of transportation, public transit options are available at all three airports, such as BART at SFO and OAK.
As always, passengers should check with their respective airlines for any changes in the case of unexpected delays from weather or other factors.
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