San Jose Airport: Navigating The Busy Terminals

San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the second busiest airport in the Bay Area by passenger count, serving 14.3 million passengers in 2018 and 15.7 million in 2019. The airport is located just 3 miles from downtown San Jose, unlike other airports in the region, which are around 10-14 miles from their downtown areas. SJC has experienced one of the fastest rates of seat capacity growth among major US airports since 2012, with ongoing expansion plans to accommodate this growth. While the airport has seen a reduction in flights and passengers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it still served over 12 million passengers in 2024. In terms of security wait times, reports vary, with some passengers experiencing quick passage through TSA checkpoints and others facing longer delays. Sources recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to account for potential delays.

TSA wait times

The TSA security checkpoints at San Jose Airport open daily at 3:45 am in Terminal A and 4:00 am in Terminal B. The TSA PreCheck hours are daily from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm in both terminals. CLEAR Plus is also available for expedited security screening at both terminals. CLEAR Hours are from 4:30 am to 10:00 pm Sunday through Friday, and 4:30 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday.

The security wait times provided for San Jose Mineta Airport are approximations based on past flight data and TSA staffing schedules. While the aim is to offer precise predictions, these estimates can vary due to unforeseen circumstances. The TSA encourages passengers to arrive at the airport considerably before their flight's planned departure time.

The TSA recommends that you arrive 2 hours before your scheduled departure for check-in and security processing for domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. However, some passengers have reported that they have never spent more than 10 minutes in the TSA PreCheck line at SJC, and that the standard security line is usually fine. One passenger who only carries a backpack and/or carry-on luggage recommends arriving 1 hour before departure, while another who checks bags recommends arriving 1.5 hours before.

Security checkpoints

San Jose International Airport (SJC) has two security checkpoints, located at Terminal A and Terminal B. The TSA security checkpoints open at 3:45 am in Terminal A and 4:00 am in Terminal B. The TSA PreCheck hours at both terminals are daily from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The TSA recommends that passengers arrive at the airport two hours before their scheduled departure time for domestic flights and three hours before for international flights. This is to allow sufficient time for check-in and security processing. It is also important to plan ahead for any potential weather or traffic delays.

To speed up the security process, passengers can enrol in the TSA PreCheck programme, which is available at both terminals. This programme allows travellers to keep their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, and they can also keep their laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags during security checks. CLEAR Plus is another service that provides expedited security screening at dedicated lanes in both terminals, significantly reducing wait times.

For those who wish to opt out of advanced imaging technology during security screening, a pat-down option is available. This can be performed by a same-gender security officer and can be requested to be done in private.

It is important to note that only ticketed passengers are allowed past the security checkpoints. Passengers with a boarding pass and only carry-on luggage may enter through either checkpoint. Starting May 7, 2025, passengers aged 18 and above must present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of identification to fly domestically.

Passenger numbers

San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the second busiest airport in the Bay Area by passenger count, behind San Francisco International Airport (SFO). In 2018, SJC served 14.3 million passengers, surpassing its previous record of 14.2 million passengers set in 2001. The airport experienced one of the fastest rates of seat capacity growth among major US airports since 2012, reaching a peak of 15.7 million passengers in 2019.

In 2021, 54% of departing or arriving passengers at SJC flew on Southwest Airlines, with Alaska Airlines being the second most popular airline, accounting for about 19% of passengers. The airport has two terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, with a total of 37 gates. Terminal A has 17 gates and serves airlines such as American, Delta, and United, while Terminal B has 20 gates and serves Southwest, Alaska, and ZIPAIR.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted passenger traffic at SJC, with only 4.7 million passengers using the airport in 2020. However, by 2022, travel had recovered, and the airport served over 12 million passengers that year. Despite this recovery, some airlines, including JetBlue and American, have reduced or cancelled services to and from the airport in recent years.

Location and transport

The San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is a city-owned public airport in San Jose, California. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Downtown San Jose, less than 4 miles (6.4 km) from the city centre, and serves both the city and the Santa Clara Valley region of the greater Bay Area. The airport is easily accessible from Interstate 880 and US Route 101 via California State Route 87.

SJC is the second-busiest airport in the Bay Area by passenger boarding, after San Francisco International Airport (SFO). In 2018, SJC served 14.3 million passengers, and in 2019, it reached a peak of 15.7 million passengers. The airport has experienced one of the fastest rates of seat capacity growth among major US airports since 2012.

There are two terminals at SJC: Terminal A, which opened in 1990, and Terminal B, which opened in 2010. Terminal A has 17 gates and Terminal B has 20 gates. The terminals are connected airside, and both have international arrival gates. Security checkpoints in Terminal A open daily at 3:45 am, while those in Terminal B open at 4:00 am or 4:15 am.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus route 60 serves the airport at both terminals and is free of charge. Route 60 connects the airport to the Santa Clara Transit Center, providing access to Altamont Corridor Express, Caltrain, Amtrak, and VTA bus services. It also connects to VTA light rail and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) at Milpitas station.

There are five parking lots at the airport: Economy Lot 1, Hourly Lots 2, 3, and 5, and Daily Lot 4. A free cellphone waiting area is available across State Route 87 from the airport, and inter-terminal and economy parking lot bus services are provided at no charge.

Airlines and destinations

San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) offers over 40 nonstop domestic and international flights, including destinations on the East Coast, Mexico, and Asia.

Terminal A

• American Airlines
• Delta
• Frontier
• Hawaiian
• Spirit
• United
• Volaris

Terminal B

• Alaska Airlines
• Southwest
• ZIPAIR

Destinations

Domestic

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Baltimore/Washington
• Burbank, California
• Chicago (Midway and O'Hare), Illinois
• Dallas (Love Field and Forth Worth), Texas
• Denver, Colorado
• Detroit, Michigan
• Eugene, Oregon
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Long Beach, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Ontario, California
• Orange County, California
• Palm Springs, California
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Portland, Oregon
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• San Diego, California
• Seattle, Washington
• Spokane, Washington
• St. Louis, Missouri

International

• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
• Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
• León, Mexico
• Lihue, Hawaii
• Morelia, Mexico
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Tokyo, Japan
• Zacatecas, Mexico

Frequently asked questions