Thank you for making SAN a part of your trip. We’re happy you’re here, and we’re ready to take you where you need to go with safety protocols designed to make your journey a healthy one. You’ll probably notice our friendly social distancing markers, increased cleaning, and plastic shields throughout the terminals. As we adjust to a new way of traveling, we want you to know we remain committed to bringing a touch of San Diego’s sunshine into our airport.

Prepare for Your Trip

You can travel safely by being well-prepared for your trip.

Step 1: Once your flight is booked, view your airline’s travel requirements and guidance. Airline operations vary so it’s good to have a clear understanding of what you can expect before arriving at the airport. You can find the airlines that operate from SAN here.

Step 2: Do your research. View the CDC’s COVID-19 travel guidance webpage for tips and information on traveling – they have resources for both fully-vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals.

Next, if you are traveling domestically visit your destination’s state, county, and city websites, they will have the most up-to-date information on any travel restrictions or requirements for travelers. If traveling internationally, check your destination’s country and city websites to get information on their travel guidance and restrictions.

If traveling from an international location to SAN, you are required to get a viral test within the 3 days before your flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of your laboratory test result to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. You can get more information here.

SAN has an on-site COVID-19 Testing option for travelers wanting to get tested before their trip. Appointments are required and there is a fee for tests. Please visit Carbon Health’s website for more information.

Step 3: Pack your mask! It’s a federal mandate to wear a mask while on airport property or an airplane. Forgot yours? No problem, we have masks for sale at many of our concessionaires and even vending machines. You can also get complimentary masks at the airport Information Desks.

Step 4: You’ve checked with your airline and done your research, you are all packed, and now you’re headed to the airport. Please allow ample time to get to SAN and pass-through security. Check the TSA website for what you can pack and carry on, this page gives you more information on their coronavirus procedures.

Step 5: Some of our shops and restaurants have changed their operational days and/or times. Check our concessions page for more information on what is available during your travel time. Our concessions have increased their cleaning and put safety modifications in place to keep you healthy while on your journey.

Step 6: While in the terminals, please social distance at least 6-feet from others, wash your hands frequently, and remember Step 3? Yep, wear a mask. You’ll notice we have very San Diego social distance floor decals and seat signage throughout the terminals as reminders, as well as Plexiglas in certain areas, and hand sanitizer stations so you can get a quick squirt while going from gate to gate. We’ve increased our cleaning of high touch points and electrostatic spray surfaces to sanitize and disinfect. Our efforts in this area earned us Airports Council International's (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation, you can learn more about that here.

Step 7: We know traveling looks a little different, but we are happy you are here. Enjoy your trip!

What to expect at SAN

You’ll see new safety measures on your journey through SAN.

FAQs

What are the cleaning procedures at SAN?
Our custodial provider is providing cleaning services 24-hours a day. They are placing an additional emphasis on public touchpoints in all areas, including handrails, bathroom stalls, seating, door handles, chairs and tables, touchscreen directories, concessions, and credit card machines. Further, in our parking lot and rental car shuttles, we are sanitizing seats, rails, and other surfaces several times daily, in addition to performing a deep clean twice weekly. We also use electrostatic spraying to disinfect and sanitize services.

What about air circulation in the terminals?

All HVAC systems at SAN were designed to meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers standards for ventilation for indoor air quality. Our systems meet or exceed industry filtration standards, meaning we filter the air at a recommended level between “Superior Commercial Buildings” and “Hospital Inpatient Care.” Additionally, 60 percent of air handlers installed in the airport contain ultraviolet light which provides extra protection to kill bacteria and viruses.

Am I required to wear a face mask while at the airport and on the airplane?
To keep you and those around you safe, all airport visitors, passengers, and employees are required to wear a mask while on airport property as part of a federal mandate. This federal mandate also requires masks be worn while on the airplane. Exceptions include children under the age of two and a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask. When you are eating, drinking, or managing personal hygiene you do not need to wear a mask. For information on appropriate and approved masks, please visit the CDC website.

How are wearing face masks enforced at the airport?
Our primary goal is to ensure the health and safety of the traveling public. To that end, our focus remains on mask education to ensure compliance. However, if someone refuses to comply, the Airport Authority is required to remove them in accordance with a federal mandate. Law enforcement would be engaged, as necessary, to remove individuals who do not comply with the mandate.

Can I purchase a mask at the airport?
Our concessionaires and vending machines located in the terminals have masks as well as other personal protective equipment available for purchase. The Information Desks in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have complimentary masks for passengers.

Where can I get more information about COVID-19?

• For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here.
• For State of California coronavirus information, click here.
• For the Transportation Security Administration, click here.
• For San Diego County coronavirus information, click here.
• For the City of San Diego coronavirus information, click here.

Is there a self-quarantine requirement for people flying into San Diego?

Fully vaccinated individuals are less likely to get and spread COVID-19 and can travel safely within the United States. Fully vaccinated individuals should follow CDC travel guidance and are not required to test or quarantine before or after travel unless they have symptoms concerning for COVID-19 disease.

Unvaccinated individuals should avoid non-essential travel. However, if you are unvaccinated and decide to travel, you should get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before travel and get tested 3-5 days upon arrival to San Diego or your final destination. You should stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. We suggest reviewing the State of California—Health and Human Services Agency’s travel advisory here for more information.

Do I have to have a negative COVID-19 test to fly?

If you are traveling domestically, you are not required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test unless the destination requires it, and San Diego does not. If you are traveling internationally, the CDC requires passengers flying into the United States have proof of a recent negative COVID test, or that they’ve recovered from COVID, before flying. You can read more about the requirement here. We recommend checking with the city, county, and state as well as your airline for more information on what is required.