O.C. Airport Prepping for Thanksgiving Travel Rush

If you are spending Thanksgiving out of town and traveling through John Wayne Airport,  officials are recommending some tips to follow for the nation's most heavily traveled holiday period.

According to JWA, passengers using the airport between today and Monday, Nov. 26 should expect higher-than-normal crowds. The busiest travel days are expected to be Wednesday and Sunday.

"Last year from the Friday before to the Monday after Thanksgiving, more than 260,000 passengers flew out of JWA," Jenny Wedge, airport spokeswoman, told Patch. "An average month is about 700,000 passengers."

• Plan Ahead: Passengers should allow 90 minutes to two hours to find parking, check luggage and go through security.

• Updates: Be sure to check ocair.com for the most up-to-date construction alerts on the airport’s homepage along with other helpful travel tips. Visitors picking up passengers can track the status of the flights into Orange Conty on JWA's flight information page.

• Parking: Structures A1 and A2 are located adjacent to and directly across from Terminal A and cost $20 per day or $2 per hour with the first 15 minutes free for dropping off and picking up passengers. Parking structures B2 and C are closest to Terminals B and C and cost $20 per day or $2 per hour with the first 15 minutes free. Curbside valet parking is $30 per day and is located on the upper departure level, between Terminals A and B, or in front of  Terminal C. Offsite Main Street parking is located at 1512 Main St., Irvine, for $14 per day with free shuttle service to/from the Riley Terminal every 15 minutes.