Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport projects a quarter of a million passengers during peak holiday travel period
Oakland, Calif. – November 10, 2026: Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) expects to welcome approximately 250,000 passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period that runs from Friday, November 20, through Sunday, November 29. The busiest travel day is expected to be Sunday, November 29. Holiday passenger levels are forecasted to remain steady year over year based on airline schedules.
“OAK is ready to welcome holiday travelers from across the Bay Area and beyond,” said Port of Oakland Director of Aviation Craig Simon. “Over the past year, we’ve continued investing in the customer experience with new dining and shopping options, upgraded facilities, and other improvements designed to make travel through OAK even more convenient and enjoyable.”
Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport early and check with their airline for latest flight information, especially during periods of peak holiday travel and winter weather impacts across the country. OAK recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international flights.
Since last Thanksgiving, OAK has introduced several enhancements for passengers, including:
- OAK Guest Pass, which allows members of the public to enter secure areas of the airport to greet or send off loved ones at the gate.
- New dining destinations in Terminal 2: Trader Vic’s, Plum Market, and District.
- New Terminal 2 pre-security retail shop, I Fly OAK.
- Award-winning renovated restrooms, including all-gender restrooms and lactation suite now open in Terminal 1.
Travelers flying out of OAK are encouraged to reserve their parking in advance to guarantee entry and enjoy discounted parking rates. Travelers parking in the Daily Lot for 5+days can take advantage of a reduced rate of $19 per day, while the Economy Lot offers parking for $16 per day. A one-time $1.99 booking fee applies to all reservations. Travelers who prefer to park without a reservation are encouraged to check OAK’s parking website before arriving at the airport for current lot occupancy levels and important parking availability alerts, including notices when lots reach capacity. Parking reservations and availability information can be found at iflyoak.com/park.