Labor Day Holiday Travel Advice from
Silicon Valley’s Airport

Modernization has changed Mineta San José International Airport

SAN JOSE --- As Labor Day weekend wraps up the summer travel season, airports and airlines advise travelers to plan ahead and check in early to prevent delays and problems on a traditionally busy travel holiday.

Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) expects passenger volume to be about the same as last year’s Labor Day weekend. The busiest travel days will be get-away days on Thursday and Friday, September 2-3, and the holiday return on Monday and Tuesday, September 6-7.

Travelers should plan on getting to their airline’s terminal about 90 minutes before their flight during busy holidays.

As a result of the comprehensive modernization at SJC over the past several years, travelers now will find new features that have improved comfort, convenience, access and efficiency.

In addition, airlines have been relocated since June, so travelers should double check which terminal they need to use if they have not been to the airport recently. Go to www.flysanjose.com for more information. Among the recent changes are:

• New Terminal B is now open. SJC’s newest terminal opened for full service in June this year. Terminal B features convenient, comfortable, attractive facilities for passengers, and Southwest, Alaska/Horizon, and Delta airlines now operate entirely in the new terminal.
  
  
• Completely renovated Terminal A. United, Continental, US Airways, and Volaris airlines are now in the Terminal A south ticketing lobby, and American, Hawaiian, and JetBlue are in the north ticketing lobby. New street-level ticket lobbies are three times bigger in area and have 60% more ticketing stations and self-service kiosks than before to serve passengers more comfortably and efficiently. The new security checkpoint also is wider and more efficient with very short waiting times for passengers to clear security.
  
  
• Better curb access for picking up and dropping off passengers in front of Terminal A and Terminal B. Both terminals now have a much longer curb for departing passengers to unload and conveniently check in at street level. At Terminal B, both arrivals and departures are on the same curb right in front of the terminal.
  
  
• New shops and restaurants in Terminal A and Terminal B. The airport is nearing the completion of its new concession program, which includes many local and regional businesses.
  
  
• Terminal C is now closed. As of June 30, Terminal C is no longer in service, and the airlines that had been operating there were relocated to Terminal A and Terminal B.
  
  
• New alignment of airport roadways, new paving, new signage, and new street lights has improved access and traffic flow.
  
  
• New convenient rental car center. The airport’s convenient new rental car center also opened in June, right across the street and easy walking distance from Terminal B. Terminal A customers can take a free airport blue shuttle bus for a short hop, less than five minutes, between Terminal and the rental car center.
  
  
• New public parking for Terminal B inside the new Rental Car Center. The first level of the rental car center is available public parking. Follow the signs to Terminal B Parking and Rental Cars to get into the garage – stay in the far left lane on the airport roadway under the “Hands” mural on the rental car center.

In addition to the substantial completion of the airport’s comprehensive modernization program, the airport also offers these regular amenities for passengers:

• Free Wi-Fi and lots of power outlets throughout the terminals. SJC launched free Wi-Fi more than two years ago to serve Silicon Valley travelers, and 25 percent of the seating in waiting areas have power outlets for passengers to plug in laptops and mobile devices.
  
  
• Guaranteed Long-Term Parking ensures that everyone who parks at the airport over the Labor Day holiday weekend is assured a space in one of the Airport’s parking areas. Long-term parking is $15.00 per day, and daily maximum for parking in the Terminal A and Terminal B parking facilities is $30.00 per day.
  
  
• One-Hour Express Parking is available in both the Terminal A garage and the Terminal B parking area. Customers will be able to park and to meet their party at baggage claim or to assist them with checking-in for a flight. The price for Express Parking is $3.00 per hour or $1.00 per each 20 minutes.
  
  
• Free Cell Phone Waiting Area, a handy alternative to driving around the airport’s roadways while waiting for passengers to arrive, is located on both sides of Airport Parkway between Technology Drive and Highway 87, just a minute or two away from the curbs at Terminal A and Terminal B.

Travelers also should consider the following important travel planning and security tips before they arrive at SJC, and they should check www.tsa.gov for comprehensive guidance and additional helpful information to prepare for travel over Labor Day weekend.

• Before coming to the airport, check the status of your flight by contacting the airline’s toll-free number or by visiting the airline’s web site. Links to SJC’s airline websites can be found at www.flysanjose.com.
  
  
• Remember the TSA “3-1-1” security program: Only liquids and gels that are in containers no larger than three ounces are permitted in carry-on luggage. They must be kept in a clear sealed plastic bag no larger than one quart, and only one bag per traveler is allowed at the security checkpoint.
  
  
• Plan to arrive at your terminal at least 90 minutes before domestic departures and two hours before international departures.
  
  
• Have your boarding pass and a photo ID already in hand before you go through the security checkpoint (such as your driver’s license or passport).
  
  
• Know airline carry-on limits. Each passenger is allowed to bring on board one standard-size carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. Check with your airline about size limitations and extra baggage charges, for many airlines now charge for checked baggage.

About Mineta San José International Airport
Mineta San José International Airport, a self-supporting enterprise, is owned and operated by the City of San José. SJC served 8.3 million passengers and handled approximately in 2009. SJC has approximately 125 flights a day on 13 domestic and international carriers to 27 nonstop destinations. Mineta San José International Airport is located in San José, California’s third largest city and the nation’s tenth largest city (population 1,023,000). For more Airport information, visit www.flysanjose.com, or call Airport Customer Service at (408) 501-0979.

-SJC-

1732 N. First Street, Suite 600, San José, CA 95112-4538 24 Hour Media Line: 408.501.7700