San José Mineta International Airport Welcomes Pet Parade and Peak Travel for Fourth of July Holiday Week

Bustling terminals expected; Happy Tails parade to bring smiles and photo opps
 

San José, Calif. – With the Fourth of July fast approaching, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is preparing for a busy holiday week and offering tips for smooth and stress-free travel. Peak travel days during the holiday week are expected on June 27 and 28.

Nationwide, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expecting to screen more than 32 million individuals between Thursday, June 27, and Monday, July 8, for the holiday week. This is about 5.4 percent higher than the number of travelers during last year’s Fourth of July season.

Several airport therapy animals from SJC Happy Tails will spark smiles and spirit with a parade in Terminal B, starting in the Terminal B Baggage Claim area on July 4th at 10 a.m. SJC was the first U.S. airport to allow therapy animals to walk around in the terminals shortly after 9/11. The animals are sourced from three local therapy animal certification groups: Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Love on a Leash®, and First Responder Therapy Dogs. More info here.

“We look forward to welcoming passengers to San José as they arrive or take flight from SJC for the Fourth of July holiday. With its simple conveniences, hassle-free travel and stellar customer service, I am proud of what SJC has to offer to our passengers,” said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire.

“As the Bay Area's easiest and most dependable Airport, SJC welcomes another busy summer travel season. We are ready to provide a seamless experience to travelers while creating memorable moments with our Fourth of July ‘Happy Tails’ parade,” said SJC Director of Aviation Mookie Patel. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of available amenities at SJC, including online check-in and parking reservations, expedited security and accessible services.”

Passengers choosing SJC during the busy Independence Day travel period are advised to:

Plan Ahead for Parking and Upgrade the Experience with Future Wash 
Travelers can reserve and pay for parking online, as well as book a waterless car wash in the Airport's Hourly, Daily and Economy parking lots. Given the high demand during peak periods, parking reservations are strongly recommended. For parking inquiries, SJC's parking services team is available at (408) 441-5570.

Check-In
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 Cellphone Waiting Areas or Park for Airport Pickups
For airport pickups, SJC advises using Cellphone Waiting Areas 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? Contact SJC at info@sjc.org or (408) 392-3600.