Press Room

Posted on: Wed, 12/21/2016 - 08:21

Ontario, Calif.-December 21,2016 -- Nearly155,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ontario International Airport (ONT) during the holiday travel season that runs from Friday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Jan. 3.

That is about 5.5 percent more than last year's volume. And those travelers will be greeted by a number of new parking and concession amenities.

The busiest travel days are expected to be Dec. 23 and 24 and Jan. 3, when airlines forecast flights to be virtually 100 percent booked. Airport officials recommend passengers departing ONT arrive at their airline ticketing lobby two hours before their flights, especially during daily peak travel periods from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With winter weather conditions likely across the U.S., passengers also should check with their airlines before coming to the airport to ensure their flights are operating as scheduled.

This year's projected holiday traffic growth is driven by recently launched Southwest Airlines service to Portland, Oregon; additional Southwest frequencies to Las Vegas, Sacramento and Oakland; and United Airlines' change from regional jets to larger narrow-body jets on its Denver routes.

One of the new amenities offered at ONT this holiday season is valet parking for passengers of the airport's two busiest airlines, Southwest and American, at Terminal 4. The introductory rate is $20 per day. Additional self-parking also is available with the reopening of Lot 3 at the rate of $13 per day. The daily rate for Lot 5 is $9, and for Lots 2 and 4, $18.

Also new this year are Jake's pop-up coffee shop and Hudson retail kiosk in Terminal 4 before security screening. Now you can get a cup of coffee and a snack while waiting to pick up passengers or retrieve your luggage.

A free cell phone waiting lot is located to the west of Terminals 2 and 4 at 1867 E. Moore Way, next to the original, no-longer-used passenger terminal.

Free Wi-Fi is available in Terminals 2 and 4.

Airport security officials remind passengers of the federal air travel 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags: 3-ounce or smaller-sized containers of liquids, gels or aerosols placed in a one-quart size plastic zip-top bag, with one bag per traveler. Of special note, popular seasonal gifts such as snow globes fall into the category of liquids that cannot be packed in carry-on bags. Presents also should not be gift- wrapped, whether in checked or carry-on bags.

Information on all of the services and amenities available to passengers at ONT can be found at flyONTario.com. A comprehensive list of what passengers can and cannot pack in checked luggage or carry onboard is available at tsa.gov.