San Francisco International Airport has announced the start of the 2026 summer travel season, with passenger numbers forecast to rise above last year’s levels as millions of travellers pass through the airport between Memorial Day and Labour Day.
The airport said the summer travel period would begin in earnest on Friday, 22 May, when around 163,000 passengers are expected to travel through SFO in a single day.
In total, the airport is forecasting 16.8 million passengers during the summer season, representing an increase of around 3% compared with summer 2025.
Airport officials are advising passengers to allow extra time for journeys to the airport and check-in procedures during peak travel periods.
Travellers are being urged to arrive at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international flights.
SFO also highlighted its “Gate Explorer” programme, which allows non-ticketed visitors to pass through security without booking a flight.
The scheme enables friends and family members to accompany passengers to departure gates, meet arriving travellers, or access the airport’s restaurants, shops, exhibitions and public amenities during long layovers.
The airport warned that parking garages are expected to operate at or near full capacity throughout the holiday travel season.
Passengers are being encouraged to use public transport or shared rides where possible, while those planning to drive are advised to reserve parking spaces in advance through SFO’s online booking system.
SFO also said passengers could use remote baggage check-in services from the airport’s long-term parking garage and rental car centre.
The complimentary service, operated by Bags Inc., is available for domestic passengers travelling with airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
Airport authorities said the measures were intended to improve passenger flow and reduce congestion during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.