Flying Christmas Eve
Heading to the airport for that last-minute trip to see family and friends? First, our condolences for what's likely to be a long and stressful day of travel, but we admire your grit and commitment.
San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose airports recommend arriving 90 minutes prior to domestic flights, and two or three hours before international flights.
Mineta San Jose International Airport spokeswoman Vicki Day says, "That's probably a minimum," especially if you're trying to catch one of the first flights out of any given terminal. She says it's not just the higher traffic that could slow things down.
"The passengers are not our normal weekly travel warriors," she says. "They’re the more occasional traveler. Or they may be traveling with family members, with children they have to assist. Or they’re traveling with more luggage because they have presents they want to bring with them."