NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oakland International Set for Thanksgiving Travel
Oakland, California – November 23, 2016: Adding to the joy of this year’s holiday season, Oakland International Airport is celebrating the opening of its first in-terminal passenger lounge to accompany ongoing robust passenger activity.
Just days ago, the Airport welcomed the Escape Lounge by MAG USA, where holiday travelers can relax in a peaceful setting, enjoy dedicated high-speed internet, and savor the culinary artistry of renowned local chef, Chris Pastena, at its new Terminal One location.
The Escape Lounge debuts as a decade high level of passengers are flying through OAK during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Though the end of the year, travelers should expect heavily booked flights at peak times to and from OAK. The busiest Thanksgiving travel day will be this Sunday, with a total of 47,500 passengers expected. The Airport anticipates more than 417,000 passengers during the 11 days between November 18-28.
“The airport has more nonstop destinations than ever, and we are pleased to offer service to a growing number of international destinations from Oakland, including several just announced this year,” said Director of Aviation Bryant L. Francis.
The Airport is in the midst of tremendous momentum, on the cusp of 36 consecutive months of continuous passenger growth, with the additions of Long Beach, St. Louis, Reno-Tahoe, El Paso, and London-Gatwick service this year. Additionally, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos, along with a second carrier serving London, will begin soon.
For added savings and convenience this season, travelers with holiday trips to Europe or Hawaii can park at OAK for free for up to 5 days. To take advantage of this special offer, travelers must visit oaklandairport.com/parkfree and follow instructions for easy enrollment.
Other ground transportation options include BART, AC Transit, regional shuttles, taxis and limousines, and ride-sharing services such as Lyft and Uber. Visit 511.org for personalized travel planning services.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING EARLY
In addition to the new Escape Lounge, OAK has an array of concessions to offer the rush of travelers this Thanksgiving. A favorite local retailer, Oaklandish, is back for its third year in Terminal Two until January 4th with a pop-up store. The Airport also recently introduced Souvenear vending machines, stocked with unique, locally-made craft souvenirs at Gates 7 in Terminal One, and Gates 24, and 27 in Terminal 2. Traveling Raiders fans can check out Sport Scene in Terminal 2 at Gate 22 for their newly-minted “Raider Nation” gear.
READY FOR TAKE-OFF
To make travel as worry-free as possible, OAK offers these holiday travel tips:
- Check flight status before heading to the airport. Save time at the airport and check-in online from your airline’s website. Be sure to confirm your flight times and details.
- Arrive early. Plan to arrive 2 hours prior to scheduled departure time for domestic flights and up to three hours prior for international departures and flights to Hawaii to allow for increased passenger volume at airline check-in and security screening. More time could be needed based on weather and busy traffic times.
- Keep your boarding pass and ID handy. Passengers should be prepared to present a valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) at the checkpoints and ticket counters.
- 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 Oakland International Airport Oakland International is the fourth busiest airport in California and second busiest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Serving over 11 million travelers each year, OAK is the closest airport to the region’s top tourism and entertainment venues. It is also the closest airport for most local residents.
Oakland’s air service roster to over 50 destinations on 12 different airline brands – seven of which operate with OAK as their sole gateway into the San Francisco Bay region.
The vision of Oakland International Airport is to offer customers a world-class experience and be the airport of choice for Bay Area residents and visitors alike. OAK is operated by The Port of Oakland, which also oversees the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States.
For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps, and details on shopping, dining, transportation, and more, visit www.oaklandairport.com. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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OAK MEDIA CONTACT:
Keonnis.Taylor@portoakland.com
510-563-6500
Tags: Port of Oakland, ports, Press Release