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San José Mineta International Airport Prepares Travelers for Memorial Day Weekend and Summer Travel with Time-Saving Tips

SJC Media | 408-392-1199 | sjcmedia@sjc.org

May 21, 2026

San José, Calif. – With Memorial Day the official kick-off of the summer travel season, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is preparing for the holiday weekend as local travelers head out of town. The team at SJC has compiled top tips for smooth and stress-free travel at the Bay Area’s most convenient Airport.

Now take Waymo—all the way to the curb
SJC continues to streamline travel through its ongoing partnership with Waymo, now offering passengers effortless curbside terminal drop-offs. Since launching at SJC in November, the autonomous ride-hailing service has safely and reliably facilitated tens of thousands of airport trips—proving its dependability even during high-traffic events like the Super Bowl. Pick-ups will remain at the Ground Transportation areas of each terminal.

Drop by and say hello/hola/nǐ hǎo to José, the AI-powered humanoid robot
In March, the Airport debuted “José”—an AI-powered humanoid robot developed by local start-up, IntBot. José can greet travelers, answer questions and provide real-time information, including flight information and restaurant recommendations in 50+ languages. José is stationed in Terminal B across from Gate 24 (near Zoom Zone).

Join SJC Park Perks and Earn Points for Parking
The SJC Park Perks program launched in May, is free to join and allows customers to earn points each time they book. Members earn one point for every dollar spent on qualifying online parking reservations. Points accumulate automatically and can be redeemed for discounts and exclusive offers, with more benefits unlocked at higher tiers.

Courtesy Carts Return to Terminal B 
Complimentary Courtesy Carts staffed by SJC employees will be back in Terminal B to assist travelers in need of mobility support. Carts operate continuously between Gates 17–31 every Friday and Saturday (4:30 a.m.-noon) from May 21 through the end of June and every Sunday (6-11:30 p.m.) from May 24 through the end of June. Passengers may simply hail a ride along the route. These carts can accommodate up to six passengers or a combination of passengers and luggage.

Check-In Online
To streamline the check-in process during peak travel times, online check-in is recommended up to 24 hours before departure. Most airlines allow customers to pay for checked baggage in advance online, which speeds up the process at the ticket counter. Travelers with only carry-on luggage can skip the ticket counter entirely with online check-in.

Arrive Early and Pack Smart
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises travelers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours prior to international flights, and to familiarize themselves with TSA’s travel tips.

Speed Up Security with TSA Precheck and/or CLEAR
CLEAR now offers in-person TSA PreCheck® enrollments and renewals at the Terminal B Security Checkpoint, available Sunday–Friday from 4:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 4:30 a.m.-6 p.m. No appointment required.

See Accessible Services and TSA Cares
Passengers in need of additional help navigating through the Airport are encouraged to check the list of SJC Accessible Services and the TSA Cares program and select the one that best suits their needs.

Use Cell Phone Waiting Area or Park for Airport Pickups
Picking up family or friends? Skip the circling and wait comfortably in our Cell Phone Waiting Area.  Waiting at terminal curbs is strictly prohibited to maintain traffic flow.

Need more information before traveling through SJC? Contact SJC at info@sjc.org or 408-392-3600.

About San José Mineta International Airport (SJC): Fly Simple.
Fueled by a culture of innovation, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the Bay Area's easiest and most dependable Airport due to its medium size, simple layout, temperate climate and location. SJC is located just minutes from downtown San José – the Bay Area’s largest city and the Capital of Silicon Valley. SJC is a self‐supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. SJC was rated California’s top-performing airport for on-time departures by Cirium in 2024 and 2025. SJC currently offers nonstop service to more than 40 domestic and international destinations. The Airport’s two fixed-base operators, as well as several corporate aviation tenants, serve the business aviation needs of Silicon Valley; corporate and general aviation traffic represents more than a quarter of aircraft operations at SJC. For more information and to connect with SJC on social media, visit flysanjose.com.

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