Passenger Tips for a Busy Holiday Travel Season

The Boise Airport is preparing for the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period, traditionally one of its busiest times of the year. More than 150,000 passengers are expected to pass through BOI during the 10 days surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday from Friday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Nov. 30. If you are planning to fly this holiday season, please review the tips below before arriving at the airport.

THE AIRPORT WILL BE BUSY
Passenger projections suggest the busiest days will likely be Friday (11/21), Monday (11/24) and Wednesday (11/26) prior to the holiday. Saturday (11/29) and Sunday (11/30) will be the busiest days following the holiday. The busiest times of day at the security checkpoint are anticipated to be between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. to noon. 

BRAND NEW FOOD, BEVERAGE AND RETAIL IS OPEN
Need a latte or a hostess gift? There are several new shops and restaurants at the Boise Airport that you’ll recognize as local landmarks and sister stores with in-town counterparts. The new retail shops (Boise Depot, Capital City Public Market, Sawtooth Essentials, Shop@Treasure Valley, and Travel@Ease) feature many locally made items from independent small businesses.

New restaurants include local favorites Blue Sky Bagels, The STIL, Turas Flights and Bites, Up in The Air by Flying M Coffee, Treefort Outpost and Waffle Me Up. Regional and national concepts include Idaho Tap House, Pizza Hut and Protein Bar+Kitchen.

USE THE CELL PHONE WAITING LOT
The cell phone lot at the airport is a safe, comfortable place to wait for your passengers.  It’s a short 5- to 7-minute drive away from the terminal at 2950 S. Curtis Road, adjacent to the Economy Lot. Click here to see a map and get directions, or enter the address into your smartphone navigation app.

MAKE A PLAN FOR PARKING
The Boise Airport has more than 5,500 parking stalls total in the East Garage, Main Garage, Long-Term Surface Lot and Economy Lot. As we head into the busiest parking season of the year, it’s likely the terminal parking garages could reach capacity throughout the holiday season. Preparing yourself with the most up-to-date parking information will help streamline your airport arrival.

Check Parking Availability: Before heading to the airport, use the real-time parking availability feature on the parking page of the airport’s website.

Consider the Economy Parking Lot: The Economy Parking Lot is located at Victory and Orchard (5600 W. Victory Rd.) and is serviced by a shuttle that runs every 15 minutes. Remember to add an extra 30 minutes to your schedule if the terminal garages are full to take the shuttle from the Economy Lot.

Make a Reservation for Curbside Valet: Curbside valet, operated by local company The Car Park, is available on the east end of the upper curb. The Boise Airport recommends travelers make an online reservation in advance of your arrival to guarantee your spot. Reservations can be made here.

ARRIVE TWO HOURS EARLY
Passengers should check with their airlines to verify the status of their flight before arriving at the airport. While the federal shutdown is now over, the holiday travel season can often lead to longer lines and unanticipated delays. For that reason, passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport no later than two hours before departure. Remember that parking may include a shuttle ride from the Economy Lot to the terminal.

KNOW WHAT YOU CAN PACK
TSA encourages passengers to pack smart. Jams and jellies, cranberry sauce, gravy, bottles of wine and other Thanksgiving treats are commonly confiscated at TSA checkpoints and should go into checked baggage. If you are bringing gifts in your luggage, be aware that wrapped packages may need to be opened for inspection, so consider using a gift bag or waiting to wrap until you arrive at your final destination. As always, check your bags for prohibited items such as knives and firearms to keep things flowing smoothly through screening. The TSA has a comprehensive list of packing guidance for items.

The Boise Airport wishes everyone a happy holiday season and enjoyable travel.

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