The Sacramento International Airport was bustling with families on Friday evening with holiday travel well underway.The airport does not anticipate a massive holiday rush due to a steady increase in passengers each year. Approximately 20,000 people are expected to pass through SMF daily for the rest of the year.The terminal is adorned with holiday decor, and on Friday evening, the arrivals board was colored red with flights delayed. “We made it!! Woohoo!!” 5-year-old Will Handy exclaimed when he made it to the baggage claim after his trip from Houston.Dozens of children passed through the baggage claim, turning the airport into their playground, jumping over siblings, riding scooters and playing with toy planes. Parents said their creative spirit was especially helpful when facing inevitable holiday delays.”Mom said it was six hours that we had to wait. Yeah, it was literally six hours,” 6-year-old Nash said after delays postponed his flight out of Denver. “Basically, when I got to the airport it was the morning,” his 4-year-old sister Presley added. “We tried to get on the flight, and it got deleted because something was wrong with the engine or something,” Nash continued.Despite the waiting, the moments of reunion with family members make the travel worthwhile.Travelers are advised to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. Parents we spoke with said they recommend bringing plenty of snacks and activities to keep children entertained during travel time.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The Sacramento International Airport was bustling with families on Friday evening with holiday travel well underway.
The airport does not anticipate a massive holiday rush due to a steady increase in passengers each year. Approximately 20,000 people are expected to pass through SMF daily for the rest of the year.
The terminal is adorned with holiday decor, and on Friday evening, the arrivals board was colored red with flights delayed.
“We made it!! Woohoo!!” 5-year-old Will Handy exclaimed when he made it to the baggage claim after his trip from Houston.
Dozens of children passed through the baggage claim, turning the airport into their playground, jumping over siblings, riding scooters and playing with toy planes. Parents said their creative spirit was especially helpful when facing inevitable holiday delays.
“Mom said it was six hours that we had to wait. Yeah, it was literally six hours,” 6-year-old Nash said after delays postponed his flight out of Denver.
“Basically, when I got to the airport it was the morning,” his 4-year-old sister Presley added.
“We tried to get on the flight, and it got deleted because something was wrong with the engine or something,” Nash continued.
Despite the waiting, the moments of reunion with family members make the travel worthwhile.
Travelers are advised to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. Parents we spoke with said they recommend bringing plenty of snacks and activities to keep children entertained during travel time.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel