SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SJC) INFORMATION

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, commonly known simply as San Jose International Airport (IATA: SJC, ICAO: KSJC, FAA LID: SJC), is situated about 6 kilometers northwest of Downtown San Jose, California.

In the State of California, SJC is the second-busiest airport by passenger volume, behind San Francisco International Airport. It is also an official U.S. Customs and Border Protection international port of entry to the US.

The airport served more than 14.3 million passengers in 2018, surpassing its previous record of 14.2 million passengers set in 2001.

The airport is composed of two main terminals. Terminal A, opened in 1990 and Terminal B opened in 2010. The terminals are connected airside.

The airport used to have a Terminal C, which opened in 1965. It was demolished in 2010 and converted as a parking area.

Today, San Jose International Airport Terminal B, like Terminal A, is home to both international and domestic flights. International Arrivals are only hosted in Terminal A.

The airport covers 420 hectares and has two active runways: 12L/30R and 12R/30L, each 11,000 by 150 feet (3,353 m × 46 m) asphalt/concrete. It is 19 meters above sea level at 37°21′46″N and 121°55′45″W.

Arrivals, Departures and Airlines at San Jose International Airport

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History of San Jose International Airport

In 1939, Ernie Renzel, the future mayor, led a group that negotiated an option to buy part of the Stockton Ranch from the Crocker family, to be the site of San Jose's airport. Renzel led the effort to pass a bond measure to pay for the land in 1940.

In 1945, test pilot James M. Nissen and two partners leased about 16 acres (6.5 ha) of this land to build a runway, hangar, and office building for a flight school.

Later on, Renzel and Nissen were instrumental in the development of San Jose Municipal Airport over the next few decades, until the 1965 opening of Terminal C.

Rapid expansion and development of the complex followed in the following decades.

In the early 1980s, the airport was one of the first in the country to participate in the noise regulation program enacted by the U.S. Congress for delineation of airport noise contours and developing a pilot study of residential sound insulation.

American Airlines opened a hub in San Jose in 1988, using slots it obtained in the buyout of the former Air California in 1986. In 1990, Terminal A was opened to help accommodate the American operation.

Eleven years later, Americans served Paris, Taipei, and Tokyo nonstop from San Jose and had domestic flights to Austin, Boston, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Maui, Orange County, Portland, Phoenix, San Diego, and Seattle.

After the September 11 attacks, the city lost much of its service. Air Canada dropped its flights to Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, and American Airlines ended its nonstops to Taipei, Vancouver, and Paris.

In November 2001, the airport was renamed after Norman Y. Mineta, a native of San Jose, its former mayor and congressman, as well as both a former United States Secretary of Commerce and a United States Secretary of Transportation.

Service reductions continued throughout the early 2000s. In October 2005, Hawaiian Airlines began daily nonstops to Honolulu. A year later, American Airlines ended the San Jose-Tokyo-Narita route, San Jose's last nonstop beyond North America and Hawaii.

After several setbacks, the airport is back in shape. In 2015 and 2016, several new international flights were launched. Hainan Airlines began nonstop flights from Beijing. British Airways commenced daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner service from London-Heathrow.

Air Canada returned, providing flights from Vancouver operated by Air Canada Express. Flights to Mexico were restored, and several domestic and international destinations.

For example, Southwest Airlines expanded service from 2016 to 2020, connecting several new cities across the country to SJC, and adding flights to Honolulu and Maui in May 2019.

The busiest domestic routes from SJC in 2021 include San Diego, California, Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, Denver, Colorado, Las Vegas, Nevada, Orange County, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, Portland, Oregon, and Kahului, Hawaii.

In 2019, its busiest international routes were Guadalajara, Mexico, London-Heathrow, United Kingdom, San José del Cabo, Mexico, Vancouver, Canada, Tokyo-Narita, Japan, Beijing-Capital, China, Morelia, Mexico, Guanajuato, Mexico, and Zacatecas, Mexico.

Transfer Services at San Jose International Airport

Transfer services to and from San Jose International Airport (SJC) include rental cars, taxis, rideshares, shuttles, and buses are available at the Ground Transportation Center of Terminal A and B.

At SJC, Terminal A and B are home to both international and domestic flights. However, International Arrivals are only hosted in Terminal A.

Rental Car Services at San Jose International Airport

All car rental pick-ups and drop-offs occur at the SJC Rental Car Center found across from Terminal B.

If your plane is arriving at Terminal B, all you must do is walk to the other side of the road that is across from the baggage claim.

For those arriving in Terminal A, you can go to the rental car area by taking a complimentary blue shuttle bus. Once you leave the airport, you can drive to the city’s downtown in approximately 5 minutes.

The rental facility is open 24/7. Please inquire at your service provider for specific service hours and return procedures. See and compare all rental car companies at San Jose International Airport.

When ready to return your vehicle to the car rental center, remove all personal items before turning over the rented vehicle to the designated facility.

Allow plenty of time for your drive when returning the vehicle. If you’re not sure where to go, give the rental company a call.

For item(s) lost and found inside the vehicle, please contact the rental car company directly.

For item(s) left on a rental car center shuttle bus, the Airport Lost and Found at +1 408-392-3559.

Ride Shares at San Jose International Airport

Rideshare designated pick-up and drop-off areas are at Terminal A and Terminal B Ground Transportation Center.

Passengers can reserve rideshare by downloading the company’s app on their smartphone and coordinating directly with their driver. They can also request a ride a few days before their flight to avoid the inconvenience.

Ridesharing apps should let users verify the identity of drivers by checking out their faces, license plates, and colors.

Taxis at San Jose International Airport

Upon exit from the Baggage Claim area, proceed to the Airport Ground Transportation Center toward the taxi stand in front of your terminal building.

One-way fare to Downtown is about $25.00. If you need to travel outside the city area, please consult your driver for rates. It is customary to give the driver a tip (15-20% of the fare) for good service.

Keep a record of the cab company, vehicle number, and the driver's name when traveling to and from the airport, just in case you leave something behind. More information about taxis at San Jose International Airport.

Trains at San Jose International Airport

Although there are no train stations at the airport, there are several nearby train connections downtown.

You can get to the train station in Santa Clara for less than $25.00 by taxi. More information about rail and metro services in Santa Clara.

Buses at San Jose International Airport

VTA Route 60 (Airport Flyer) serves the Milpitas BART Station and Winchester VTA Station at both Terminal A (Stop 7) and Terminal B (Stop 5). Passengers at SJC may board the line for either direction free of charge.

Connect to the VTA Blue and Green light rail lines at the Metro/Airport Station (fare applies) by boarding the Route 60 bus to Milpitas BART.

A one-way fare costs less than $5.00 depending on distance. More information about buses to and from San Jose International Airport.

Hotel Shuttle Services at San Jose International Airport

Many hotels in San Jose provide shuttle services. Passengers may confirm with their local hotel if this is available at their accommodation. Shuttles pick up and drop passengers at the Airport Ground Transportation Center in front of Terminal A and B.

Parking at San Jose International Airport

SJC airport provides safe, modern, and comfortable parking spaces for its customers. Reserved parking is also available at the facility, 24/7.

Cash and credit card payments are accepted. More information about short and long term parking at San Jose International Airport.

Other Services at San Jose International Airport

Wi-Fi at San Jose International Airport

San Jose International Airport is proud to offer fast, free Wi-Fi service to all travelers. Passengers can connect to “sjcfreewifi” for free. Service is available 24/7.

ATMs at San Jose International Airport

ATM cash machines are located in Terminals A and B. Gates 6, 10, 13, 15, between 17 and 18, 26.

They are also available in the Baggage Claim area (Terminals A and B), International Arrivals, and at the Rental Car Facility.

Currency Exchange at San Jose International Airport

Currency Exchange is available in Terminal A, across from Gate 15.

Nursing Stations at San Jose International Airport

Nursing Rooms are located within the entrance of the women's restroom (except Gate 8 location) and are equipped with a comfortable chair, sink, changing station, and outlets.

Restrooms at San Jose International Airport

Accessible restrooms and regular restrooms are throughout the airport.

Food and Beverages at San Jose International Airport

There are food and beverages shops throughout the airport terminals. Most food concessions operate on varying schedules.

Shopping at San Jose International Airport

You can do some last-minute shopping inside the facility.

Smoking at San Jose International Airport

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminals. Please follow smoking regulations at the facility.

Lost and Found Section at San Jose International Airport

For items lost on the aircraft or at the gate area, please contact the respective airlines lost and found.

If you lost an item in any other area at the airport, including the security checkpoints and shuttle buses, please contact the Lost and Found Office at +1 408-392-3559.

The Airport Lost and Found Office is located between Terminals A and B.

You can also complete the Lost and Found process at the Information Desk in Terminal A and B. Phone: +1 408-392-3600.

When leaving your details for lost items(s), please include your full name, contact details, phone, email, and a description of the item(s).

The airport will keep all lost and found items for a considerable time of at least 30 days. After said period, the property will be deemed abandoned. Please talk to the airport representative at the counter.

Ticketing at San Jose International Airport

Please look for overhead signs pointing in the direction of ticketing areas at the terminals. Each airline has its operating hours, but typically, airlines open their ticket counters two hours before departure time, even for early morning flights.

Generally, payment by cash or checks may not be accepted at American airports. Please consult your air carrier or travel agent for more details.

Information Desk at San Jose International Airport

There are two information desks: in Terminal A and B. Telephone: +1 408-392-3600.

Pet Relief at San Jose International Airport

Animal relief areas are both outside and inside the terminals.

Pre-security locations:

• Outside Terminal A, north of ticketing
• Outside Terminal A, south of parking garage
• Outside Terminal B, north of ticketing

Post-security location:

Inside passenger walkway between Gates 16 and 17

Please ask assistance from any uniformed personnel for guidance. Animals are not permitted unless they are in proper pet carriers to assist disabled individuals.

Baggage Claim at San Jose International Airport

Please retrieve luggage at your designated Baggage Claim area at the Ground Level of Terminals A and B. Carts are available to assist passengers with special needs.

In the case of missing items, contact your respective airline or their airline ticket counter.

Passengers can also inquire from the Information Desk for further assistance at +1 408-392-3600.

The Airport Lost and Found Phone is +1 408-392-3559.

When leaving a message, include your name, email, contact phone number, and a brief description of the lost item(s).

Disabled Passengers at San Jose International Airport

The airport is fully accessible to passengers with special needs, and wheelchairs are allowed to the gates and aircraft doors.

Travelers with disabilities or medical needs who have questions about the policies or procedures at security checkpoints can call +1 408-392-3600.

Additionally, they may notify the airline, travel agent, ticketing agent, flight attendant, or gate agent when carts, wheelchairs, or medical transportation is needed.

Things to do in San Jose

There are a number of activities to suit all ages and interests in the region - see a selection of tourist activities in San Jose, California in the United States of America.

San Jose International Airport Contacts

Address: 1701 Airport Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110, United States
General Phone: +1 408-392-3600
General Email: info@sjc.org
Lost and Found Email: https://www.flysanjose.com/report-lost
Lost and Found Phone: +1 408-392-3559
Official Website: https://www.flysanjose.com/

Local Information

Drive on: Right
Electricity: 120V/60Hz.
Plug: A, B
Currency: USD, US$, $
Wi-Fi at Airport: Free wireless internet service is available in all public areas of both Terminal A and B. Please connect to the network “sjcfreewifi.”