Holiday Travelers Find More Flights, Less Hassle At
Oakland International Airport

BART to OAK Now Open

Oakland, CA – Nov. 26, 2014 – The holiday travel season is here and Oakland International Airport (OAK) is providing passengers with easier ways to get to more destinations nonstop. Travelers between now and the end of the year should expect full flights at peak times, as OAK has been one of the fastest growing airports in the United States over the past five months. The airport expects 355,000 passengers to pass through the terminal buildings over the 5-day Thanksgiving Day Holiday. This is up about 6% from 2013.

U.S. destinations: Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Mexico destinations: Morelia and Leon and Stockholm, Sweden are among the new destinations added in 2014. Also this fall additional flights and larger aircraft have been scheduled to popular markets such as Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Seattle. Details about flights from OAK can be found at www.oaklandairport.com.

THE BEST WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY GETS EVEN BETTER.
In addition, the new Oakland International Airport station on BART opened Saturday morning, Nov. 22 just in time for the peak holiday travel period. Trains depart the new airport station from early morning until just before midnight, and as frequently as every 5 minutes during BART’s peak period of service between 8AM and 8PM.

“This year, it will be even more convenient to use OAK to visit family, friends, and loved ones, as we become the newest stop on the BART system,” said Port of Oakland Aviation Director Deborah Ale Flint. “We join a select group of U.S. airports which enjoy rail access directly from the airport.”

YES, WE HAVE SHOPPING.
This year, OAK will once again offer great value for those who choose to drive to the airport, park and fly. Over the holiday period there will be plenty of on-airport parking available for travelers with several different products to choose from.

The popular Fly OAK, Park Free promotion is being offered for the fourth consecutive year with up to three days of free parking in the Daily lot -- a $66 value --for passengers departing Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday starting on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, all the way through Christmas Day, December 25. To take advantage of this special offer, travelers must visit oaklandairport.com/parkfree and follow instructions for easy enrollment.

Customers traveling outside of the “FLY OAK. PARK FREE.” promotion dates can take advantage of other discounted online parking offers, including $4 off each day in the Economy lot (long-term) and $8 off per day in the Premier, Hourly or Daily lots (short-term) over the holiday. Visit oaklandairport.com/parking for details.

Other ground transportation options include AC Transit, regional shuttles, taxis and limousines. Visit 511.org for personalized travel planning services.

FLY HAPPY.
To make travel as worry-free as possible, OAK offers these common-sense tips:

• Check flight status before heading to the airport. While you’re at it, save time at the airport and check-in online, too, by visiting your airline’s website. Be sure to confirm your flight times and details, too, since airline flight schedules change frequently and it is possible that your itinerary has changed since you made the reservation.
• Arrive early. Plan to arrive 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure time for domestic flights and two hours prior for international departures and flights to Hawaii to allow for increased passenger volume at airline check-in and security screening.
• Keep your boarding pass and ID handy. Only passengers with a same-day boarding pass will be allowed through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger screening checkpoints. Passengers 18 years of age and older should be prepared to present a valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) at the checkpoints and ticket counters. Special arrangements for passenger assistance can be made through your airline—contact your carrier directly for more information.
• Do not wrap gifts. If a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) needs to inspect a wrapped gift in your checked or carry-on luggage, they may have to unwrap it. So, plan to wrap gifts after arriving at your destination—or better yet, ship them ahead.
• Pack liquids separately. Passengers who pack liquids or gels as carry-on baggage are limited to amount of 3 ounces or less. Such items should be packed in a single re-sealable quart-size plastic bag, with one per traveler.

On behalf of the Oakland International Airport, we wish you a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season.

About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport and Oakland International Airport. The Port's jurisdiction includes 20 miles of waterfront from the Bay Bridge through Oakland International Airport. 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 offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo 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. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.