SANTA ANA, CA – In anticipation of the heavily traveled Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, John Wayne Airport (SNA) offers the following tips to help travelers prepare for a safe and enjoyable holiday travel experience.

In past years, the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend is the busiest time of year for travel. Last year, over 104,000 passengers passed through the Thomas F. Riley Terminal over this weekend. The busiest travel days are expected to be the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving Day and the Sunday immediately following. The air carriers at John Wayne Airport have indicated they are expecting similar passenger levels compared to last year.

"We are encouraged that the air carriers are anticipating increased passenger levels over the coming holiday weekend," said Airport Director Alan Murphy.

Passengers are asked to plan ahead this holiday period and we encourage you to share these helpful tips with your readers and viewers:

• Arrive at the Airport at least 2 ½ hours prior to your flight departure to allow ample time for parking and to complete check-in and security screening.
• Terminal parking garages are accessible from the Departure (Upper) Level only. Be prepared to have your car searched by Airport Police Services.
• The Main Street Parking Lot is more popular with holiday travelers and usually fills Wednesday night or Thursday morning. The Main Street Lot opens at 4:30 a.m. and has the lowest daily parking rates with complimentary shuttle service to the Terminal every 15 minutes.
• Limit carry-on baggage to a minimum. Only one carry-on bag and one personal item (such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, diaper bag) are permitted through screening. All other bags or personal items must be checked-in as regular baggage.
• To reduce your baggage while traveling, send gifts ahead of time. If you need to bring gifts, pack them in your checked baggage. If you must carry gifts, do not wrap them until after your flight, as they may be subject to search.
• All carry-on items (including cell phones, lap-tops, and film) will be x-rayed.
• Only ticketed passengers will be allowed beyond the security checkpoints.
• Visitors can help avoid roadway congestion by parking in the Terminal garages when picking up passengers ($1 per hour) instead of circling the roadway.
• Be prepared to show photo identification when checking in for your flight.
• Please check with your airline for updated flight information. Reconfirm your reservations 24 to 48 hours in advance.