SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Demand for travel is back and this holiday season has the potential to be busier than ever. Online booking sites are predicting Thanksgiving passenger levels could be twice that of 2020 levels and 75 percent of 2019. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) wants travelers to know there are many ways to get to their destination without carrying on all the stress.

Taking the time to plan ahead will help travelers get through the terminals with ease.

Make a list of all travel essentials. Don’t forget masks (more on that in a moment), antibacterial wipes and disinfectant; Pay attention to travel protocols. Depending on the destination, safety and vaccination requirements may be different than those at home; Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures have changed since the pandemic. Everyone is required to wear a mask and maintain social distance while in the security line and on the airplane, so bringing extra masks is recommended. 

Keep these helpful tips in mind when arriving at SMF:

Parking: The East Economy Lot ($10/day), Daily Lot ($12/day), Garage ($18/day) and Hourly Lot ($29/day) are open for parking. Cash is no longer accepted at cashier booths in any parking lot. Customers paying with cash will need to do so prior to returning to their vehicle. Payment can be made at one of the self-service pay-on-foot kiosks located in the Parking Garage and outside Terminal B. Bus service will be provided 24/7 to and from the terminals from both the East Economy, Parking Garage and Daily Lot. Wait times for busses can be up to 20 minutes. For more information, please visit the parking webpage.

Boarding Pass Self-Scanning: Passengers will scan their own boarding passes and not hand them over to TSA employees.

Liquids: Must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller with the exception of hand sanitizer, which can be in a 12-ounce container. Items must be removed from baggage before it goes through the X-ray and will be screened separately. "‹

Food: Passengers bringing meals on their flights should place them in a clear plastic bag, and in a separate tray from their luggage, for scanning. 

Be Patient: Like many businesses, TSA has suffered from a staffing shortage. Allow extra time for every part of your travel journey, just in case.

Touchless Security: Get through security checkpoints faster with CLEAR, a digital health passport that uses biometrics to scan your eyes and face to confirm your identity in a touchless process. Learn more or opt-in for membership here. 

If you are feeling a bit stressed out, be sure to stop by and say hello to the wonderful pups that make up SMF’s BARC (Boarding Area Relaxation Corps) team. These dogs and their handlers are there to help calm nerves and relax passengers before and after flights.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its recommendations for safe holiday travel, which is worth reviewing before you head out on vacation. As always, it is recommended travelers arrive two hours early in anticipation of additional security screenings. For more information, visit our website.