San Antonio Airport System Offers Tips For Stress-Free Travel This Holiday Season

San Antonio TX

24 December, 2021

12:18 PM

Description

Press release from the City of San Antonio: December 21, 2021 CONTACT: Tonya Hope, O: 210-207-1515 [email protected] San Antonio (December 21, 2021) – The holidays are traditionally the busiest travel time of year and while COVID-19 has impacted travel nationwide, many travelers are ready to fly again. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) expects a peak in travel two days before Christmas and again two days after New Year's Day. "San Antonio International Airport anticipates increased numbers especially with the addition of new nonstop flights to JFK, Boston and Colorado Springs: said Jesus H. Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System. "The Colorado Springs route is seasonal, so some travelers will see snow during the holidays." In preparation for the increase in travelers this Christmas, SAT continues to reinforce its COVID-19 protocols and safety messaging throughout the terminals. There are contactless check-in areas, convenient hand sanitization stations and reminders throughout the airport to wear masks, social distance and wash hands. Masks are also distributed at each airline's ticket counter. TSA checkpoints and the airport's information desks also have them if anyone enters the airport without a mask. SAT recommends the following tips to help passengers fly safe and fly confident this holiday season: Early Arrival: Passengers are encouraged to arrive at least two hours before their boarding time of the actual scheduled flight especially during the peak travel periods. Check flight status online: Passengers are able to check their flight status before they leave home and receive email alerts from the airline. Please go to www.flysanantonio.com to check the status of your flight. Wheelchair Assistance: If you are traveling with someone who needs wheelchair assistance, contact the airline before arriving at the airport. Kids Traveling Alone: If you have a child traveling alone (unaccompanied minors) and want to escort them to the gate, please make arrangements with the airline to receive an access pass to the gate. Print your Boarding Pass Early: Passengers can print boarding passes at home or download to their cell phones before they arrive or can use the convenient airline check-in kiosk at the airport. Allow time for Traffic: Allow ample time to get to the airport. Parking Availability: There are 8,974 parking spaces between the Short Term (1,238), Long Term (5,288), and Economy Lots [formerly Green / Red Lots] (2,448). The Economy Lot is the most economical and it includes a FREE shuttle service that runs every 6 minutes. Pay attention to Park Assist: Take advantage of the Park Assist System to guide you to available spots. As you enter the parking plaza, signs indicate the number of available parking spaces within the Short Term Parking Garage. Park Assist uses a green light for available spots, red for unavailable and blue for available ADA/Handicapped parking. You can visit the airport webpage or use the Park Assist App and know the number of available parking spaces before you depart. Use the Cell Phone Lot for Pick-ups: Use the convenient cell phone lot while waiting for your party. The new lot is located directly behind the Burger King and Q-Mart convenience store on Airport Boulevard. The cell phone lot also has a digital monitor providing real time updates on status of arrivals. Ask for Help: Our friendly Ambassadors and staff are here to help, so if you have questions, ask them. Wrapped Gifts: TSA recommends that you do NOT bring wrapped gifts to the airport, travel with the gift in gift bags or unwrapped either in your carry-on bags or your checks bags. If the package alarms for any reason, they will have to unwrap it. @AskTSA: Travelers with questions about security, or items they can or cannot bring on their trip, can contact a TSA employee for live assistance 365 days a year by tweeting questions and comments to @AskTSA. Follow the 3-1-1: Liquids, gels and aerosols cannot exceed the 3-1-1 ounces rule in your carry-on bag. Let the TSA officer know right away if you are traveling with larger quantities of medically necessary liquids. Food: you can bring snacks, sandwiches, fresh fruit, vegetables, baby food, holiday pies, but you can't bring sauces, preserved foods or wine over 3.4 ounces in carryon bag. Be Ready: Be ready when you enter the checkpoint line. Have an acceptable ID and boarding pass out and ready to hand to the TSA officer. TSA Cares: Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and medical conditions can call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 1-855-787-2227 with questions or for assistance 72 hours prior to traveling. Injured service members and veterans may contact TSA Cares to help facilitate the screening process. Electronics: Electronics larger than a cell phone — including e-readers and tablets—must be removed from your carry-on bag and placed in bins with nothing on top or below (this rule does not apply to TSA Pre✓® passengers). Escalators / Elevators: When traveling with multiple suitcases, small children, and other items, avoid risk and choose to take the elevator and not the escalators. The escalators require balance and hands-free flexibility should you lose balance. Aira Availability: Aira is available to all blind or vision impaired travelers free of charge at SAT. Aira allows users to use their cell phones, or specially designed glasses for subscribers, to have an off-site agent guide them through the airport, this can include locating a restroom, navigating busy terminals or finding a place to relax –all designed to return independence to our visually impaired passengers. Please visit www.aira.io San Antonio International Airport's COVID-19 vaccination clinic will have abbreviated operating dates during the holidays. The clinic will be closed from December 23-January 3. The clinic hours are from 9:00am to 6:00pm every day and appointments are not necessary to receive a vaccine or booster. This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author's own.