Oakland International Airport is Ready for Thanksgiving Holiday Travelers

Oakland, Calif. (Nov. 16, 2010) — The Thanksgiving holiday travel period will be a busy one at Oakland International Airport (OAK). Airport staff expects an increase in passengers of up to 2 percent over the same time last year. Travelers can expect plenty of on-airport parking, and a hassle-free experience inside the terminals that OAK is known for.

An estimated 277,000 passengers will travel through OAK over the eight-day Thanksgiving holiday that begins Tuesday, Nov. 23. Up to 36,000 daily passengers are expected on the peak travel days of Nov. 23, 24 and 28. New amenities, such as free, faster Wi-Fi and charging stations, and new concessions, including Jamba Juice, are available just in time for the peak traffic season.

“As we do every day, the airport team will welcome passengers and provide an excellent experience over the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Deborah Ale Flint, Director of Aviation for the Port of Oakland, which owns and operates OAK. “Passenger improvements include new check-in counters at the Terminal 1 boarding gates, and more new concessions for our customers to enjoy in between flights,” she continued.

ON-AIRPORT PARKING GUARANTEED; $10 OFF PARKING COUPON
Convenient on-airport parking will be available for travelers, and for those planning to meet and greet arriving passengers over the holiday period. OAK offers $10 off per 24 hour day in the Premier, Hourly or Daily lots.

OAK’s Premier Lot is conveniently located directly opposite Terminals 1 and 2, and is closest to curbside check-in. A value-added, time-saving feature of the Premier parking service is exclusive entry to the premium security lanes for faster Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening, and dedicated exit lanes upon return.

Other parking options are the Daily Lot and the Economy Lot, which is a great value at just $16 per day. Both lots are within walking distance of the terminals.

Visit oaklandairport.com for more information about OAK’s on-airport parking lots.

GETTING TO THE AIRPORT
Thanksgiving travelers have many ground transportation choices at OAK. The airport and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) jointly operate a dedicated shuttle between OAK and BART’s Coliseum station every 10-15 minutes, with extra shuttles offered on Nov. 23, 24, 28 and 29. Five new CNG-fueled AirBART buses are providing a more comfortable and environmentally friendly ride.

OAK recently installed fast, easy-to-use AirBART ticket vending machines, which accept all major debit and credit cards, at the shuttle stop on OAK’s third curbside. One-way fares are $3.00 for adults, and $1.00 for children (ages 11 and under) and seniors and disabled with I.D. For BART/AirBART information, call 510-569-8310.
Other ground transportation alternatives include AC Transit, regional shuttles, taxis and limousines. Visit 511.org or call the 511-information line from any Bay Area area code for personalized travel planning services.

ENHANCED TERMINAL EXPERIENCE; JAMBA JUICE NOW OPEN
The new concession program at OAK combines popular national brands with local favorites. Concessionaires are looking forward to the increased traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. Recent openings include:

• Firewood Café, serving its famous made-to-order pizzas in a sit-down setting opposite gate 23, and assorted breakfast foods, grab and go sandwiches, salads, and Peet's gourmet coffee and teas. Firewood is a local San Francisco favorite, originating in the city's Castro district;

• A food court, featuring Burger King, Jamba Juice, Otaez, Peony Asian Café, and Subway, opposite gate 25;

• Vino Volo, next to gate 25, which is changing the way people travel by offering a sophisticated respite where travelers can taste great wines, enjoy small plates, and unwind in plush leather lounge chairs; and

• Silver Dragon, a local favorite in Oakland’s Chinatown, next to gate 9. This eco-friendly restaurant uses compostable food containers made from potato starch.

Free Wi-Fi, recently upgraded to six times its original speed, allows travelers to keep in touch with business and personal contacts between flights, at no cost. In addition, there are charging stations located throughout both terminals allowing travelers to top off the battery charge of electronic devices before flying.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS
OAK recommends that travelers check their flight status before heading out to the airport, either on their airline’s website or at oaklandairport.com.

OAK and all other U.S. airports continue to maintain a high-level of security. For a more pleasant travel experience, passengers are encouraged to plan ahead before coming to the airport. Before packing, visit the TSA website, www.tsa.gov, to get the 3-1-1 on air travel. For carry-on bags, liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers, and in a one-quart, clear, plastic zip-top bag; TSA allows one bag per passenger. Other travel tips include:

• Plan to arrive at OAK at least 90 minutes prior for domestic departures and two hours prior for Hawaii and international departures to allow for increased passenger volume at airline check-in and security screening.

• ALL passengers must have a boarding pass or airline-approved document. Travelers age 18 and older must show government-issued photo identification before going through the passenger security checkpoint; and

• Leave holiday gifts unwrapped, both in carry-on and checked baggage, as they may need to be inspected.

About the Port of Oakland/Oakland International Airport
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport and fourth largest airport in California, offering over 130 daily flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Visit portofoakland.com and oaklandairport.com.
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