Am I required to wear a face mask while at the airport?
To keep you and those around you safe, all airport visitors, passengers, and employees are required to wear a mask while on the SAN campus in accordance with the Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel and the CDC's Order requiring face masks to be worn by all travelers while on public transportation. This includes while in the terminals, the parking garage, arrival and departure drives, rideshare waiting areas, and rental car facility. Exceptions include when you are eating, drinking, or managing personal hygiene with proper distancing. For information on appropriate and approved masks, please visit the CDC website.
How are wearing face masks enforced at the airport?
We are in challenging times, and to combat COVID-19 we all have to be vigilant and work together. San Diego International Airport, as well as the entire aviation industry, has been working diligently to address new federal, state, and local regulations. Passengers are responsible to be informed of and comply with public health orders in the areas in which they are traveling.
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.
Our hope is that individuals will take personal responsibility and hold themselves accountable to local public health orders and laws. By wearing a face mask, you are greatly reducing the potential for spreading the coronavirus to others.
What if I can’t wear a face mask for health reasons?
As stated by the CDC, a child under the age of 2 years; a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of the disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or a person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations are exempt from this Order.
What is TSA’s mask requirement during screening?
Starting on February 2, 2021, TSA will require individuals to wear a mask at TSA airport screening checkpoints and throughout the commercial and public transportation systems. This requirement will remain effective until May 11, 2021. A TSA officer may ask you to adjust the mask to visually confirm your identity.
What is defined as a mask?
Please view the CDC's guide for reference as to what is accepted as a face mask.
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.
Does the airline require me to wear a mask?
In accordance with the Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel and the CDC Order, masks are required while in airports and on an airplane. You will be denied boarding if you do not have a mask to wear while on the flight. For the latest information regarding airline requirements, we strongly suggest checking with your airline.
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.
Is the airport open?
The airport remains open, in full operation as an essential critical infrastructure in the transportation systems sector. We continue to work closely with federal, state, and local public health partners to help mitigate the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of everyone at SAN.
Are passengers being screened for coronavirus at SAN?
At SAN, the Centers for Disease Control has not at this time ordered thermal-imaging screening of passengers. Per CDC guidance, if airport personnel encounter an ill passenger, they are to contact the CDC directly for further assessment. The CDC has also provided SAN with specific guidance to help local EMS providers responding to medical calls at the airport assess and identify potentially infected travelers. In collaboration with CDC and CBP, we have posted an informational graphic on monitors in the terminals that educate passengers on steps they can take if they are feeling sick.
Is there a self-quarantine requirement for people flying into San Diego?
Please visit coronavirus-sd.com for the latest information from County public health officials regarding COVID-19 in San Diego. If there is a requirement to self-quarantine it would be mentioned on that page. Additionally, we encourage you to visit the CDC's travel page for information and resources.
On January 7, 2021, the State of California Health and Human Services Agency issued a travel advisory. The travel advisory states:
Non-Essential Travel [i]
1. Except in connection with essential travel, Californians should avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. Avoiding travel reduces the risk of virus transmission, including by reducing the risk that new sources of infection and, potentially, new virus strains will be introduced to California.
2. Non-essential travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering California and should adhere to the quarantine procedures set forth in Paragraph 3.
Quarantine Post-Travel
3. All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries, should self-quarantine for 10 days [ii] after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or to otherwise engage in emergency response. Additionally, this recommendation does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders for essential travel [iii].
A Local Health Officer may determine if and when the situation within the Local Health Officer's jurisdiction warrants measures that are more restrictive than this statewide order, and retains authority to implement such measures.
We suggest reviewing the travel advisory prior to your trip, it can be viewed here.
Is the airport requiring a negative COVID-19 test to fly?
The CDC testing requirements state that the airlines, not airports, are responsible for confirming that international passengers flying into the United States have proof of a recent negative COVID test, or that they’ve recovered from COVID, before flying. We recommend checking with the city, county, and state as well as your airline for more information on what is required.
I have reservations to fly to/from SAN and want to find out more information about my flight, what should I do?
We suggest you contact the airline directly for the most up-to-date information on flights to/from SAN.
What can I bring with me through security?
Please visit the TSA website for information on what is permitted through security checkpoints. Additionally, TSA is now allowing passengers to bring liquid hand sanitizer containers up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect that these containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquids permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to their checkpoint screening experience.
What is your lost and found policy?
Effective 03/18/2020, the SAN Lost and Found office will only accept inquires via the Lost and Found webpage, by phone (619) 400-2140, or by email lostandfound@san.org, customers will not be permitted in the office due to the CDC’s social distancing recommendation.
Until further notice, only critical items will be accepted by the Lost and Found office. Examples of critical items include government-issued IDs, passports, baggage, jewelry, medication, medical devices, high-end electronics, and legal documents. Any other items accepted or released will be at management’s discretion. Items will be returned to customers via FedEx on Monday and Friday at the expense of the property owner.
What can I expect when I arrive at San Diego International Airport?
If you are traveling to San Diego, please be advised that the California Department of Public Health has issued a travel advisory that states persons arriving in California from other states or countries, including returning California residents, should practice self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival. These persons should limit their interactions with their immediate household. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who cross state or country borders for essential travel. To view the travel advisory, click here.
Can I fly out of San Diego International Airport for non-essential travel?
If you are traveling from San Diego, the travel advisory from the California Department of Public Health encourages you to stay home or in your region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. Avoiding travel can reduce the risk of virus transmission and bringing the virus back to California.
How does the airport know if I'm traveling for essential or non-essential reasons?
San Diego International Airport remains open, in full operation as essential critical infrastructure in the transportation systems sector. The California Department of Health suggests that only those that are a part of the essential workforce travel during this time if it's associated with the operation, maintenance, or usage of critical infrastructure. A list of the essential workforce may be viewed here. The airport is not required to enforce or police non-essential travel.
Have flights to/from SAN been canceled?
Airlines are assessing their scheduled flights daily and making changes due to COVID-19 and other operational needs. We recommend checking with the airline directly regarding your upcoming flights to ensure you have the latest information. Airline contact information can be found here.
How much time should I plan for if I am coming to the airport?
At this time, San Diego International Airport is not typically experiencing any additional delays due to TSA screenings for departing passengers. SAN still recommends arriving two hours prior to departure for domestic travelers and 3 hours for international travelers. That being said, it is now additionally important to reach out to your airline prior to coming to the airport to confirm the status of your flight as schedules are changing daily.
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.
What about air circulation in the terminals?
During the pandemic, there has been a great deal of emphasis on air circulation and its relation to COVID-19. The airport has commissioned a study to review SAN’s entire HVAC system to understand if there are ways we can further protect you and our employees.
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.
Are your concessions/dining facilities still open?
Yes, although some have closed and others have changed their hours.
Due to fluctuating flight schedules, Terminal 1 West concessions – Peet’s Coffee and KUSI News – have modified the days and times they are open, so please check our website for current hours of operation. If you are flying out of gates 11-18 on Tuesday and Wednesday please consider making purchases pre-security. Please note, items such as liquids more than 3.4 ounces will not be permitted through the TSA checkpoint. It is suggested that you use water bottles that can be filled post-security in the water bottle fill stations. We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause.
Our dining facilities will remain open, as will the Terminal 1 food court dining area and the Sunset Cove dining area in Terminal 2. Employees and patrons will need to comply with social distancing. Signs will be installed in the terminals per County Health Dept. requirements.
Do you have hand sanitizer currently available in the terminals?
Yes, hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the terminals, and hand sanitizer may also be purchased at airport vendors or from a vending machine. As noted by the CDC, hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community.
Follow these five steps every time:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
I made a parking reservation and then I decided to cancel my trip. Can I get a refund?
We understand that many passengers are experiencing travel disruptions so we’ve made some updates to our parking policy. If you need to cancel your reservation, you may do so up to one hour before the start time. If you are unable to cancel in time and did not use your reservation, please call us at 619-291-2087.