PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach Airport (LGB) is prepared to make the holiday travel season as smooth as possible for travelers, from parking to the gate. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season and one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Travelers flying through LGB this week will experience higher than normal passenger traffic as the airport prepares for 44,000 travelers beginning Wednesday and continuing through Sunday.

“The holiday season is a time to gather with friends and family, and we are thankful that traveling through Long Beach Airport to meet them is the most easy-going, stress-free travel option in the region,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.

All passengers are encouraged to arrive at least 90 minutes to two hours before their scheduled departure. Travelers are also urged to check their airline’s baggage rules and to verify flight schedules in advance. The free LGB Airport app is available for Android and Apple devices and provides information on arrivals, departures, parking, shopping, dining and more.

Service dogs and pets are also welcome at Long Beach Airport, with relief areas available to the north and south of the terminal. Travelers are encouraged to check their airline’s policies for traveling with animals in advance.

“Long Beach Airport is on pace for another record-setting year of passenger traffic, with nearly four million passengers expected to travel through the airport by the end of the year,” said Airport Director Jess Romo. “We are committed to continuing to provide a safe and convenient travel experience for our customers throughout the busy holiday travel season.”

Tips for smooth travels through LGB this holiday season include:

• Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes to two hours before departure time to ensure adequate time to get through security.
• Check airline’s baggage rules ahead of time and verify flight schedules.
• Enjoy local restaurants including Boathouse on the Bay, George’s Greek Café, Polly’s Coffee, Sweet Jill’s Bakery and Taco Beach Cantina.
• Keep an eye out for STARS or Simple Therapy and Real Smiles certified therapy dogs that are roaming the concourse for travelers to pet, hug and relax with before takeoff.
• Drivers picking up passengers are suggested to wait at the free Cell Phone Waiting Lot, located at 3401 N. Lakewood Blvd.
• Use the center median located in front of the terminal to access rideshare services such as Lyft, MVN 2, Opoli, Uber and Wingz.
• Self-parking is available in Structure A and B. The hourly rate at all structures is $2 an hour with a maximum of $19 in A and $17 in B.
• Valet parking is available at $24 a day with a complimentary car wash.
• Electric vehicle charging in Structures A and B is available at a rate of $2 an hour.
• Travelers can download the free LGB Airport app, which provides information on arrivals, departures, parking, and shopping.
• There are rules and exceptions for traveling with children. Please visit https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children for more information.

The holiday season is a merry one at LGB, with an assortment of decorations and lights throughout the airport to delight visitors, including a Christmas tree, Hanukkah menorah, and Kwanzaa table that will be on display beginning the week of November 26. Travelers are welcome to take photos and share on social media using the hashtag #MerryLGB.

About the City of Long Beach

Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 171 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Airport

Founded in 1923 as the first municipally-owned airport in California, Long Beach Airport (LGB) completed a revitalization in 2012 to update its facilities. A new passenger concourse opened to the public and has since garnered extensive praise for its modern design and architecture, local eateries and easygoing travel experience. Recently, Sunset magazine awarded LGB with a Best of 2017 Travel Award. In addition, USA Today and 10Best.com recognized LGB for Best Airport Dining in their Readers Choice poll. LGB offers non-stop service to several U.S. cities while supporting a healthy general aviation community with over 260,000 annual operations. The airport is also a source of substantial economic activity and employment. Long Beach Airport and its tenants generate more than $10 billion and 45,000 jobs in total economic activity to the Long Beach region with an additional $1.1 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state, and local levels. Long Beach Airport prides itself in maintaining a safe, sustainable, and environmentally responsible operation. For more news, pictures, videos, and announcements of what's happening, "Like" us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @LBAirport and Instagram @lgbairport.