San José Mineta International Airport Welcomes Thanksgiving Travelers
The 2025 holiday season starts this week with Waymo, therapy animals, new courtesy carts, parking discounts and more!
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November 19, 2025
Media Contact:
SJC Media | 408-392-1199 | sjcmedia@sjc.org
San José, Calif. – The holidays have landed at San José Mineta International Airport (SJC), with peak Thanksgiving travel between Friday, Nov. 21 and Monday, Dec. 1.
The Airport expects bustling terminals and parking lots for Thanksgiving travel, with the projected average daily departures for this period approximately 16,300 and the busiest day projected to be Sunday, Nov. 30, with as many as 20,000 passenger departures.
2025 Highlights:
- Courtesy Carts: Traveling through SJC this holiday season just got even easier. Complimentary Courtesy Carts staffed by SJC employees will be available for travelers needing mobility assistance inside the terminals. Running continuously between Gates 17-31, passengers can simply hail a ride along the route.* These carts can accommodate up to six passengers or a mix of passengers and luggage, making them a great option for families, groups or anyone navigating the busy holiday rush.
- Gobble Up Parking Savings: Travelers can save up to 15%** when booking parking in advance. Secure a spot before arrival and avoid the holiday rush. For parking inquiries, SJC's parking services team is available at 408-441-5570.
- Dine around SJC: Travelers have a variety of new dining options at SJC following a string of recent openings: Einstein Bros.® Bagels, Firehouse Subs and Pizza My Heart (Terminal A, near Gate 11) and Mi Casa Cantina (Terminal A, near Gate 12).
- Waymo: Last week, SJC became the first commercial Airport in California (and the second in the world) to offer fully autonomous rides to travelers as part of Waymo’s Bay Area expansion. Waymo is giving riders access to the service across the San Francisco Peninsula (including San José) over the upcoming weeks. The vehicles have dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas in Terminal A and B to dispatch passengers to the destination of their choice within the San Francisco Bay Area service area.
- SJC Happy Tails: Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without SJC’s beloved therapy animals. Furry volunteers will be roaming the terminals all week, ready to bring travelers extra Thanksgiving cuddles, comfort and smiles (no set schedule).
- Digital ID: Travelers at SJC now have a new, faster way to verify their identity at TSA checkpoints: Apple’s new Digital ID. Digital ID lets eligible travelers use information from their U.S. passport to create a secure ID in Apple Wallet — no REAL ID-compliant license required. While it can’t replace a physical passport or be used for international travel, Digital ID offers added convenience for domestic flyers departing from SJC. Once set up, passengers can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a TSA reader and confirm with Face ID or Touch ID.
- Remember REAL ID: As of May 7, 2025, TSA no longer accepts state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID-compliant at TSA security checkpoints. All airline passengers 18 years and older, including TSA PreCheck® members, must present REAL ID-compliant identification or another acceptable ID at TSA security checkpoints.
- Gratitude Trees: Located near Gate 9 and Gate 30, stop by one of SJC’s Gratitude Trees to leave a note of thanks and well wishes!
Last, but not least, the SJC team has compiled top tips for smooth and stress-free Thanksgiving travel. Passengers flying SJC during the busy Thanksgiving travel period are advised to:
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
To expedite security clearance, travelers can enroll in TSA Precheck® and/or CLEAR, available at both SJC Terminals and other airports nationwide. Travelers are now able to enroll for — or renew — TSA PreCheck right at the CLEAR checkpoints at SJC, no appointment needed. Available daily at both terminals from 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
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
For Airport pickups, SJC advises using Cell Phone Waiting Areas (with a new location that opened in January 2025) or parking in the nearest hourly lot, as waiting at terminal curbs is strictly prohibited to maintain traffic flow.
Need more information before traveling through SJC? Visit flysanjose.com or contact SJC at info@sjc.org or 408-392-3600.
*Courtesy Cart Schedule:
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Date
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Time
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November 21
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5 a.m.-noon and 6-11 p.m.
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November 22
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5 a.m.-noon
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November 23
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5 a.m.-noon and 6-11 p.m.
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November 24
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5 a.m.-noon
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November 25
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5 a.m.-noon
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November 26
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5 a.m.-noon and 6-11 p.m.
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November 30
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5 a.m.-noon and 6-11 p.m.
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December 1
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5 a.m.-noon
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**Savings are based on the drive-up rate and applied automatically — no promo code is needed. Enter travel dates to view discounted pricing. Economy Lot 1 offers the highest savings at 15% and includes shuttle service to the terminals.
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. In 2024, while celebrating 75 years of connecting the Bay Area with the world, SJC welcomed nearly 12 million passengers and was rated California’s top-performing airport for on-time departures by Cirium. 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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