San Jose Airport Community Open House

The public is invited to tour the brand new Terminal B and concourse, and the completely renovated Terminal A at Mineta San Jose Airport. Once inside, guests will be given "open house boarding passes" entitling them to learn more about the $1.3 billion dollar project, as well as the airlines and vendors serving the airport. The red-ribbon cutting takes place at 8:30 AM Saturday, June 26th, with hourly tours scheduled throughout the day Saturday and Sunday. The tours are free of charge, but you must pre-register and provide initial screening information for TSA security clearance.

Tough Choices Ahead for San Jose Airport Officials

Officials at San Jose-Mineta airport warn that painful choices will need to be made in order to prevent "failure," according to airport aviation director Bill Sherry. A significant drop in flights and passengers, combined with a hefty $1.3 billion renovation bill mean that airport will need to consider big changes - and soon. At a special City Council session this week, many suggestions, including lifting the overnight flight curfew, and suspending the current living wage for airport personnel were discussed. Read more from the SJ Mercury News.

American Dropping Bay Area Flights Into Orange County

The latest American Airlines scheduler shows all flights from San Jose and San Francisco to Santa Ana/Orange County will be discontinued effective November 18, 2009. Currently six daily departures are offered between these cities, operated by affiliate American Eagle.

American has been trimming away departures from the Bay Area the past several months, and over the summer announced plans to cut the San Jose - Austin "nerd bird" route at the end of this month.

San Jose Airport Opens New Ticketing Lobbies

(Press Release)

Spacious new street-level ticketing lobbies opened at Terminal A of Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) Wednesday morning (May 13), expanding the number of ticketing stations by 60 percent.

The new ticketing lobbies are the first newly-constructed customer space to open in the airport's comprehensive $1.3 billion terminal area modernization program, and the first of several major improvements for Terminal A that will come into service over the rest of this year.

Southwest Airlines now occupies the entire South Ticketing Lobby, and the North Lobby is shared by American, Hawaiian, and Mexicana Airlines. Because of SJC's innovative shared-use technology foundation, in the future multiple carriers can easily use the same ticket counters and aircraft gates as new flights are added to serve San José.

Passengers walking across the bridge from the Terminal A garage now will go down the new escalators to check in at the new ticket counters. In addition, Terminal A now has a much longer curb for departing passengers to unload and conveniently check in at street level.

The space vacated by the old upstairs ticket counters now will be cleared out to make way for an expanded and efficient new security checkpoint that will help reduce passenger wait times and improve their travel experience at SJC when it is completed this fall.

"It was quite a challenge to orchestrate the complex series of steps with contractors, airlines, and the airport so that we could make the entire switch overnight," said Steve Pagan, SJC project manager for the Terminal A improvements.

"We've been planning the details for months so that we could complete construction, move equipment and technology systems from upstairs to downstairs in one night, and be ready for our customers first thing in the morning without missing a beat."

Phase 1 of SJC's $1.3 billion terminal area improvement program involves the modernization and replacement of the airport's terminal facilities. The overall project includes the construction of a new Terminal B and Concourse that will take the place of Terminal C, originally built in 1965, along with upgrades and expansion at Terminal A to provide more spacious and comfortable waiting areas and faster security check-in systems.

Over the next year, SJC will be completing major elements of the program. Interim activation of the Terminal B Concourse will take place this summer when several gates will be used by Southwest until the rest of the terminal is completed next summer.

The program also includes a new 3350-space rental car and public parking garage directly in front of Terminal B; expanded space for more options for quality food, beverage, and retail services; and improved roadways serving the airport for more convenient access.

The modernization program is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010.  Plans for future airport expansion in Phase 2, which would extend Terminal B and add new gates, will be contingent on reaching growth triggers for the number of flights or passengers pre-established in collaboration with the airlines serving San José.

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 9.7 million passengers and handled approximately 162 million pounds of air cargo in 2008.  SJC has approximately 150 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 1,007,000).

For more Airport information, visit www.sjc.org, or call Airport Customer Service at (408) 501-0979.  Motorists can also tune their radios to 530 AM within two miles of SJC for current information on airport traffic, parking and security.

San Jose Airport Loses 1 Million Passengers

(From NBCbayarea.com)

Mineta San Jose International Airport has told San Jose city officials that passenger traffic fell by one million people in 2008. Airport officials said airline capacity reductions throughout the nation and the deep economic recession have contributed to the drop off.

The passenger traffic numbers dropped from 10.7 million in 2997 to 9.7 million in 2008. That is a 8.8 percent drop. Airport officials said December 2008 traffic fell 14 percent to 689,000, compared to 813,000 in December 2007.

That was the 15th straight month that passenger traffic had dropped compared to one year earlier, airport officials reported. Airport traffic had not been under 700,000 passengers since February, 1995.

Full story

San Jose to Long Beach - $39 Each Way

JetBlue's e-vent of the week promotion will score you a ticket to/from San Jose and Long Beach for just $39 bucks each way. $10 more to/from San Francisco and Oakland. Book before Thursday for travel between January 7 to February 11, 2009. Visit jetblue.com

Parking and Waiting Options at Bay Area Airports

With another busy travel season upon on, finding a good spot to park the car at local airports might become a little more difficult. But whether you are trying to park and fly, or just waiting to pickup friends and family from an arriving flight, there are several options to consider before making the drive over to the airport.

San Francisco Airport:

-Cell phone waiting lot offers 60 minutes of free parking/waiting. Conveniently located five minutes from the terminals. 

-General parking, ParkFast parking and ParkValet parking offer fliers a variety of choices depending on individual needs. 

Oakland Airport:

-Offers a Park and Call lot with 30 minutes of free parking/waiting. 

-General parking and Valet parking is available as well. See Oakland parking map. 

San Jose Mineta Airport:

-Cell phone waiting area lot permits 30 minutes of waiting. 

-General parking, and corporate parking with guaranteed parking spot and express exit.

-Call 408-277-3145 for current parking availability at San Jose Airport.

Sacramento Airport:

-30 minutes of complimentary waiting in the hourly parking lots. 

-General parking and ParkSmart automated parking allows arriving passengers to quickly locate open parking spaces and shuttle buses to the terminal. 

-Detailed airport map here. 

Keep in mind that although Bay Area airports offer complimentary park and wait options, your vehicle must remain attended at all times. 

Finally, for up-to-the-minute information on departing and arriving flights, visit www.flightstats.com, where you can sign up to receive flight updates via text messaging at no charge. 

United Slashes More Flights From San Jose

Considered yet another setback for South Bay flyers, United Airlines will drop flights from San Jose to Chicago-O'Hare airport effective November 2nd. This comes after the airline recently ended flights between San Jose and Washington-Dulles. Transcontinental flyers using United from the South Bay will now need to connect in either Los Angeles or Denver, both cities which have seen recent reduction in United flights already.

JetBlue drops Bay Area routes to Boston

Citing high fuel costs, JetBlue says it will cut routes between San Francisco and San Jose to Boston next month. Flights will end on September 3rd from SFO, and September September 16 from SJC. The airline will continue to offer flights to/from Oakland and Boston.

Horizon Airlines To Debut San Jose to Sacramento flights

Horizon Airlines, a subsidiary of the Alaska Air Group announced it will launch once daily service between San Jose, CA and Sacramento beginning August 25th. No other airline currently offers this routing. United Airlines/Skywest comes closest, with several daily flights between Sacramento and its San Francisco hub.

The new Horizon flight will be operated by a 76-seater Q-400 turboprop plane. Tickets can be purchased beginning June 15th.

Free Wi-Fi Now Available At San Jose Airport

Travelers flying through Mineta San Jose International Airport will now have access to complimentary WiFi on their next trip. According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the airport officially began offering the service on Thursday, and is available throughout the entire airport facility. In addition to San Jose, Sacramento airport also offers from WiFi for Bay Area flyers.

The complimentary San Jose WiFi service will eventually include ads, but users can opt for ad-free service for an $8 per day charge. About 30,000 passengers fly through San Jose airport each day.

Several New Airline Routes & Destinations Begin This Summer

By Mike Grasso
Despite the recent pullback in the airline industry, new routes and destinations are being introduced throughout the Bay Area this summer. Although the airlines are thinning the total number of available seats in some markets by reducing plane size and limiting daily departures, they continue to expand in markets they deem profitable, either by anticipated market demand and/or government subsidies.

I've compiled a list of new routes, sorted by departure city, which will begin operating this summer, many in May and June alone. The list includes many exciting visits soon accessible from San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, and Monterey Airports.

With these added destinations, now is the time to begin thinking about Summer vacation plans!

San Francisco to:

• Austin, TX - JetBlue
• Milwaukee, WI- AirTran (seasonal service)
• Victoria, BC- United Express
• Bellingham, WA- Allegiant Airlines
• Kalispell, MT- United Express (seasonal service)
• Missoula, MT- United Express (seasonal service)
• Zurich, CH- BelAir Airlines (charter/seasonal service)
• North Bend, OR- United Express
• Klamath Falls, OR- United Express
• Dubai, UAE- Emirates Airlines (Begins October 26)
  

San Jose to:

• Denver, CO- Southwest Airlines
• Long Beach, CA- JetBlue

Oakland to:

• Honolulu, HI- Hawaiian Airlines
• Austin, TX- Southwest
  

Sacramento to:

• Philadelphia, PA- U.S Airways
• Charlotte, NC- U.S Airways
  

Monterey to:

• Las Vegas, NV- Allegiant Airlines

$91 Airfare Sale: Bay Area to Southern California

United Airlines is offering some pretty decent airfares from the SF Bay Area to Los Angeles and San Diego. Travel is valid now through May and available most days of the week.
Examples of the sale:
San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland/Sacramento to Los Angeles $91.20, roundtrip, tax included.
San Francisco to San Diego $91.20, roundtrip, tax included.
Memorial Day Weekend to L.A prices out slightly higher - just $99 bucks "all in"

Fares are available for a limited time and at a limited quantity. Visit http://www.ual.com/

Demolition of San Jose's Terminal C begins

Demolition of the north end of Terminal C at Mineta San José International Airport began last night in order to clear the site for the start of construction of the airport's new Terminal B.

Over the next month, construction crews will work nights from about 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to take down the structural frame of the building,remove debris, and prepare the site for new construction.

The work is part of the airport's comprehensive $1.3 billion program to replace and renovate all the terminal facilities, roadways, and parking over the next two and a half years. When Terminal B is placed in service in mid-2010, the remainder of Terminal C will be removed so that the final section of the new terminal roadway can be completed.

More information about the airport improvements can be found here.

HOT FARE! San Jose to Los Angeles $80/roundtrip, taxes included! American Airlines
Travel Tuesday & Wednesdays in October and first 2 weeks of November.
Visit http://www.farecompare.com/

American Airlines: Fly 2 trips, 3rd one is free

American has joined other airlines the past couple weeks by offering some pretty decent promotions this fall. On Wednesday American airlines announced if you fly 2 non-stop round-trips in certain markets, you get a 3rd one free.

Qualifying markets include:

San Francisco - Dallas, Chicago

Oakland - Dallas

San Jose - Dallas, Chicago, Austin

You must book your trip between September 13, 2007 and November 15, 2007.Travel between September 13, 2007 and November 15, 2007.

To participate in this offer, simply register before you travel. Register online at www.aa.com/offers using promotion code AA25X. Read all T&C

Southwest, JetBlue and United are other airlines that have recently offered similar promotions, or bonus miles for flying routes in/out of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Horizon Airlines to debut San Jose to Palm Springs route

Horizon Airlines announced the inauguration of San Jose-Palm Springs Jet service beginning November 4th. Two daily departures of the 70-seater CRJ-700 Jet will operate seasonally, and compliment other flights Horizon & Alaska Airlines offer from other Bay Area airports.
Horizon's special brand of inflight service includes snacks, Starbucks coffee, Wine and microbrews at no extra charge.

Schedule: November 4-April 6th 2008
10:50 am departure
1:25pm departure

Frontier Airlines connects Bay Area to Puerto Vallarta

Frontier Airlines continues to expand their Mexico service from the Bay Area. In a press release this week, the airline announced flights from Sacramento and San Jose to Puerto Vallarta will commence on December 15th - just in time to plan a winter escape out of state.

To ignite some interest, the airline is offering double EarlyReturns miles and tickets as low as $119 each way. See new routes page. Tickets are available for purchase on the Frontier Airlines website now.

Sacramento - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 3:15 p.m. Arrvies 8:45 p.m.
Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Sunday

San Jose CA - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Friday

Departs 10:55 a.m. Arrvies 4:10pm
Saturday

Southwest Airlines Intra-California Sale

Though not the best fares Southwest sometimes offers, these aren't so bad either.
Book by August 23 for travel August 28 through January 11, 2008. Fares are each way.
14 Day advance purchase on these tickets, valid most days (including peak travel days Friday & Sunday!)

Oakland, CA $49 to/from
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Ontario, CA
San Diego, CA

Sacramento, CA $49 to/from
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Ontario, CA
San Diego, CA

San Jose, CA $49 to/from
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Ontario, CA
San Diego, CA

San Francisco, CA$49 to/from
San Diego, CA(Service beginsAugust 26, 2007.)

Oakland/San Jose to Miami/Ft Lauderdale/West Palm Beach - $202/rt including taxes. Valid travel September 5-November 14th. American Airlines