San Juan Airport

Flew into San Juan this past summer from JFK for my honeymoon. Had no problems. We landed and the baggage claim was not a long walk and in a matter of 15 minutes I was my wife and I were in the taxi going to the hotel. Returning was even easier.

Traveled into and out of SJU in April 2009. Upon arrival it's not very clear how you just walk out to the car rental shuttles (I think there's a way you can avoid going through the baggage claim check however it's not clear). We also did not see signs pointing out the tourist info booth upon arrival. The airport generally poorly signed. Departed Weds. 4/8. Huge lines at most airlines for baggage check. You do have to have your bags inspected (checked and carry-on) by USDA prior to departure. This is a separate process and these machines are right inside the doors at Concourse B. The video displays did not give our gate or concourse so we had to ask to find United. The ticketing area is not well air-conditioned (doors open to street) so it's pretty warm. Some restaurants and shopping before security fairly limited choices in Concourse B but you could walk to at least C. Overall especially in ticketing area rather chaotic.

I don't know where Josh Brown got his data from but some of his numbers seem exaggerated. That being said SJU is the largest and most modern airport in the Caribbean but it certainly has a lot to catch up with other US airports. SJU doesn't have luggage cart rental service; instead they have baggage handlers that work for tips. They are unionized and for obvious reasons their union is adamantly opposed to the carts. It's also probably the only US major airport where only passengers are allowed in the baggage claim area and possibly the only one where they actually check your luggage tag against your ticket as you leave the claim area. I think that is PLUS considering how often people grab the wrong bag. As far as security goes there's nothing they can do about checking your luggage for plants/animals. That's actually a USDA requirement - the same happens in Hawaii. It's true that once you go through security the food choices are extremely limited. Everyone working at the airport must be bilingual. To have staff that does not have a dominion of the English language is a crass oversight.

These last comments were posted on 2005. We're now in 2008 & the airport has more gates more renovations. More renovations expansions & service facilities will be going on through 2011.

San Juan airport is the best airport in the caribbean also the one with major traffic San Juan airport moves almost 700 daily flights making it one of the U.S. Major Traffic airports also has 2 runways the North Runway(more than 10000 feet long) and the South Runway( more than 8000 feet long). American Airlines and American Eagle are the most predominent airlines in San Juan Airport. They have 2 of the 4 terminals in the airport for themselves (Terminal C and D). They operate with over 125 daily flights. (American Airlines (over 60 daily flights) (American Eagle(over 70 daily flights). American Airlines operates with several routes to the U.S. Caribbean South America and Europe from San Juan while American Eagle operates to most of the Caribbean Destinations including the Dominican Republic. Delta and Continental hold 1 terminal for them and both operate with some 20 daily flights. (Continental (10 daily flights) (Delta (10 daily flights) also cape air operates with continental codeshares with more than 30 daily flights U.S. Airways Nortwest and United Airlines operate with over 50 daily flights and are located in the same terminal that Continental and Delta are. Caribbean Sun Airlines also is a predominent airline with more than 40 daily flights. San Juan airport moves more than 11 million people each year almost 3 times the population of Puerto Rico. San Juan airport holds many facilities and amentities but only in the departure area (2nd level). The airport holds more than 50 gates and has over 10000 employees. Has a parking tower for more than 15000 cars with 8 levels and a side parking for more than 5000 cars. It has many fast food restaurants like: McDonalds Wendys Subway Taco Maker 5 Cafeterias... Also has an Hotel with 125 rooms located some 200 feet from American Airlines ticket counters. It has over 30 duty free stores for a last minute shopping and it holds Aeroparque a place located near the North Runway so that you can see planes departing and arriving. It is all you can expect from an airport but get prepared for very long lines in counters(especially in Delta Continental United and Cape Air counters) and a severe car traffic when you arrive. San Juan airport is the hub getaway for the caribbean and also one of the most important hubs of American Airlines and American Eagle. Puerto Rico has more airports like Aguadilla Airport Mayaguez Ponce and Vieques. Aguadilla's Rafael Hernandez Airport located over the Ramey base in the northwestern area of Puerto Rico is the 2nd airport in Puerto Rico with major traffic moving over 100 commercial daily flights. It is operated by major airlines like: Continental Airlines JetBlue PanAm Clipper Connection TAM NorthAmerican and Northwest. Continental operates with a Daily flight to Newark JetBlue with 2 daily flights to JFK NorthAmerican with over 50 daily flights to major U.S. Cities TAM with over 20 daily flights to the Carribean South America and Central America and PanAm with 2 daily flights to Orlando/Sanford Airport. The Airport consists of 2 terminals (1 of the terminals is under construction) and has various duty free stores. Has a side-parking for 500 cars and has over 300 employees it also has the largest runway in the caribbean with more than 12000 feet long. The 3rd major airport in Puerto Rico is Ponce's Mercedita Airport holding 1 terminal and is operated by several major airlines like: Continental Airlines American Eagle JetBlue ATA and Cape Air. Moving over 25 commercial daily flights and with over 100 employees. Ponce Airport is located in the Southern Region of Puerto Rico. Mayaguez's Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport located in the Western area of Puerto Ricoand Vieques Airport in the Eastern area of Puerto Rico are small airports but both are operated by major regional airlines like: American Eagle and Cape Air. Both with over 10 commercial daily flights. Both hold more than 20 employees and they have only 1 terminal. Both have only a runway of 5000 feet long.

I guess everything is relative. Compared to similar airports in this part of the world I guess San Juan is pretty nice. But in comparison to most airports in the modern/western world its definitely lacking. Outside security expect long lines bad food (with equally long lines) and a generally chaotic vibe. Inside security (airside) it felt a lot like being in the Ft. Lauderdale airport (could be a compliment or not I guess) with a less hectic vibe decent food decent shopping). If you're flying out of here leave plenty of extra time to check in and get through security. And I'd suggest eating ahead of time as you're options are pretty slim.

San Juan International Airport compared to many airports in the region is very nice and clean. It has very good facilities though getting to the airport is somewhat difficult if you are using PR- 26 access to the airport from PR-17 is very easy it takes you straight there. Interactive service about the airport are not that easy to find either. The people of the airport are not as costumer oriented but if you get their attention they are gentle and will help you in the way they can.

SJU is a decent airport but not comparable to those on the US mainland. Getting to the airport from Autopista 2 is a hassle. The signs to the airport are poorly placed and confusing. Once on the airport grounds the signs are still confusing. Eventually you will end up in the place you need to be. You may have to circle the airport once or twice however. The American Airlines passengers are in the oldest terminals which are not so clean. Most other airlines are housed in newer cleaner terminals. Signage is posted in both Spanish and English (for all the "americanos" who cannot speak Spanish). Security is a nightmare. First all departing passengers must send their bag through a machine to check for plants and animals which you are not supposed to transport off Puerto Rico. Then you must drop your baggage off after check-in at the TSA bomb screening device. Afterwards passengers proceed through the security checkpoint which takes a long time to pass throught. The TSA agents are friendly however the one that screened me did not speak English fluently. Once through security there are only a few food places and duty free shops. Take note that all US passengers do not have to pass through customs when you are coming to/from Puerto Rico. Therefore all the shops in Puerto Rico are a good deal. Puerto Rico charges no sales tax so that makes most shops on the island "duty free". Almost all American Airlines employees are bilingual and friendly. Overall it was not a terrible experience. It is hands down the best airport to use in the Carib.