SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Airports nationwide are bracing for one of the busiest days of the holiday season and it comes with a number of important reminders, especially as people deal with COVID concerns. Holiday travel is expected to be up by 25% this season.
The message from travelers at San Diego International Airport ahead of the rush before Christmas is to get here early.
“It’s busy, busy. There is a lot more people, like lines are super long and security for sure. If you are going to wait, you’re going to be stressed out,” said Rebecca Dolan, flying to DC with her teenage sons.
With now being one of the busier times of the year, airport officials anticipate from December 17 until January 3, about 1 million travelers will come through San Diego, so all the COVID safety precautions are currently in place.
“We’ve increased cleaning of high touch points, we have floor decals and wall decals to remind people to social distance, and we have plexiglass screens up at ticket counters, so that there is limited contact,” said Nicole Hall, San Diego international airport senior communication specialist.
News of the spike in omicron cases across San Diego County had some travelers on alert before their flight.
Traveler Ravi Butler said before he purchased his plane ticket, he got tested for COVID-19, and it was negative. Butler is headed home for two weeks in Minnesota and said he is traveling worry-free.
"Like maybe six, seven times I have traveled, and in my experience, they have done a really good job of protecting us, I feel safe, and I hope my fellow passenger also feel safe as well,” he said.
Some said they are excited to see family for the first time in two years but not happy about cold Midwest weather.
“It’s a surprise first time with the kids and the grands, so I’m looking forward to that, but not looking forward to the stuff on the ground that is white,” said Tony Cruz, traveling to Detroit.
San Diego International Airport wants travelers who will be heading home during the holiday season to be prepared before they arrive at the airport.
The airport is offering the following travel tips to ensure a safe and seamless journey:
Before arriving at the airport:
- Check with the airline for any special requirements or information before the trip. Airlines have implemented COVID-19 health and safety measures for check-in, boarding, and while on the plane. Passengers should understand the expectations of the airline before arriving at the airport. A list of the airlines that serve SAN may be viewed at san.org/Flights/Airlines.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website has information on how to safely travel during a pandemic. Travelers should have a clear understanding of state, local, and territorial government travel restrictions, including testing requirements, stay-at-home orders, and quarantine requirements.
- U.S. borders are open to non-essential travel. Travelers must be fully vaccinated before traveling to/from an international destination. If traveling from an international location to SAN, passengers are required to get a viral test one day before the flight departs and provide written documentation of laboratory test results to the airline.
- SAN has an on-site COVID-19 testing option through Carbon Health for travelers wanting to get tested before a trip. Appointments are required and there is a fee for tests. For more information please visit, carbonhealth.com/covid-19-travel-clearance.
Parking & transportation impacts:
- The Terminal 1 Parking Lot, Terminal 2 Parking Lot on McCain Road, Terminal 2 Parking Plaza, and Cell Phone Lot are open. Parking reservations may be made in advance by visiting the airport’s parking reservation webpage at reservations.san.org/SanDiegoBooking/. The Long-Term Lot and Curbside Valet Terminal 1 and 2 are closed.
- On January 3, 2022, the Cell Phone Lot will be relocated to the Terminal 2 West Parking Lot on McCain Road. Due to the relocation, the Terminal 2 West Parking Lot on McCain Road will no longer be available to passengers wanting to park beyond the one-hour courtesy allowed. After waiting in the Cell Phone Lot, follow the signs to the exit, exit left onto Spruance Road, turn left on McCain, and then turn left at the light onto North Harbor Drive to head South back to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to meet passengers.
- On January 10, 2022, the Terminal 1 Parking Lot will be partially closed and so parking will be limited. If parking at SAN, please consider reserving a Terminal 2 Parking Plaza parking space ahead of time by clicking here. Travelers may visit newt1.com for information on construction impacts.
- The San Diego Flyer is a free shuttle bus service between the Old Town Transit Station and SAN. The electric shuttle buses operate seven days a week, with an average arrival every 20 to 30 minutes. Pick up and drop-offs are timed to meet the first and last Trolley, Coasters, Amtrak trains, and MTS busses with the first pick up at 4:45 a.m. and the last pick up/drop off at 12:30 a.m.
Once at the airport:
- It’s a federal mandate to wear a mask while on airport property and on an airplane. Masks for sale at many of the concessionaires and through vending machines. Complimentary masks are available at the airport Information Desks.
- All travelers should practice preventative health measures such as washing hands often, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth, social distance at least 6 feet from others, covering coughs and sneezes, and monitoring daily health by conducting a temperature check before arriving at the airport.
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoints are open and all passengers are required to go through screening. Travelers are encouraged to leave ample time, preferably two hours, to get through security and to their gate. Travelers should review TSA’s COVID-19 webpage at tsa.gov/coronavirus for information on what to expect and the health and safety measures they’ve implemented.
- Shops and restaurants inside the terminals are open to provide travel necessities, meals, snacks, and more, however, availability and hours may vary. Dining facilities are open, and patrons should social distance.
- Rental Car Center buses require social distancing and therefore are running at reduced capacity. Please leave ample time to accommodate longer shuttle wait times. The Trolley provides service to the terminals at Palm Street on the Rental Car Center shuttles. The MTS 992 bus is another public transportation option.