Google Coming to SJC

This post is long over due, but a couple months ago Google announced that they are planning to move their fleet of jets from Moffett Field over to SJC. This new $82M facility would be built on the west side of the airport off Martin Avenue and would include an executive terminal, hangars, and ramp space that can handle planes as large as Boeing 767s. Over the term of the 50-year lease, it should bring in about $130M to SJC (which is owned by San Jose) as well as add over a hundred new jobs to our economy.

The project is a joint venture between Signature Flight Support and Blue City holdings San Jose (which manages Google's planes). The total square footage comes out to be just over a quarter million: 17,000 SQFT for the terminal, 24,000 SQFT for shops, and 240,000 SQFT of hangar space.

If this project is successful, it could mean more companies moving their aviation facilities to San Jose and the airport getting extra attention (may help us nab a few more international flights). Also, if Google execs are flying out of SJC, there is a good chance Google will be sending more of its lower-level employees through SJC as well instead of SFO. This could potentially be a very big win for the airport and the city.

Source: SVBJ

Wednesday Wishlist: Virgin Airlines

In an article about Measure B in the latest issue of the San Jose Business Journal, I noticed an interesting tidbit. It was casually mentioned that the CEO of Virgin is trying to get flights at SJC next year. What a perfect match... they hippest, most tech forward US airline in the middle of Silicon Valley. Yes, please!  I think I would actually fly much more frequently if Virgin came to San Jose.

What do you guys think and which airlines do you want in San Jose?

SJC is Getting a Lounge Again

This may seem like a small thing, but if you have business travelers paying thousands of dollars for premium seats or frequent travelers that have achieved ultra platinum quadruple black diamond status, access to a business-class lounge is pretty much assumed at any international airport. San Jose and Oakland are probably two of the largest airports in the US without a single lounge. SJC used to have an American Airlines Admirals Club, but it closed in 2009 not too long after the discontinuation of their international flights.

Now that ANA is bringing nonstop flights between Tokyo and San Jose (sweet!), the lounge is coming back. This time it will be on the third floor of the International terminal, which is between Terminal A and C. The 5,300 sqft lounge will have workstations, a conference room, "quiet" seating, TVs, express spa services, food, a full-service bar, and private restrooms. The total cost is $1.3M and it will be ready before flights to Tokyo kick off in early 2013.

Source: SJBJ

Alaska is Adding Flights to Reno

Starting June 4th, you'll be able to hop on a new Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air flight to the biggest little city in the world. The best part: $69 inaugural fares and double miles for flights between June 4th and July 31st. The worst part: this actually replaces a Southwest route that is being discontinued April 10th. You win some, you lose some. In this case I think we more or less broke even.

More details right over here.

ANA Bringing Direct Flights to Japan from San Jose!!!

Wow, Merry Christmas San Jose! SJC is finally reaping some fruits from years of lobbying for more international flights.

Yesterday, All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced that they will be bringing a new nonstop flight between San Jose and Tokyo. This will be a tremendous benefit to Silicon Valley companies, the city of San Jose, and of course those of us the would like to visit Japan.

Could this news get any better? Apparently it can. When the new route kicks off in 2012, ANA will be using their brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes. In fact, it will be one of the first routes in the US to use the 787. Some of the amenities include a full bar in coach, the largest windows ever put in commercial aircraft, LED lighting, and restrooms with built in bidets (it's a Japanese thing).

For more info click here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for special pricing during the first couple months of flights like Alaskan has been doing on their new Hawaiian flights.

Alaska Airlines Adds Another Hawaiian Flight

Yet another daily nonstop flight to Hawaii will coming to SJC starting April 10th. This one is direct to Honolulu, the most populous city in Hawaii. This will be Alaska Airlines' 9th flight to Hawaii out of San Jose.

SJC also has direct flights to Maui, Kauai, and The Big Island. For more info, click here.

SJC Passengers & Flights Trending Up

Over the past year passenger volume has risen 2.5%, finally reversing a 3 year decline in passenger numbers. Also the number of daily flights is up 3% over the past 12 months. In fact, during Q2 of this year 35 weekly flights were added. The airport has also cut $54M in expenses that were projected in the 2007 plan. You can read more about this right over here.

Also related to the airport, a South Bay consortium is trying to promote a deeper relationship between Chinese tech companies and Silicon Valley. As part of this goal, they are seriously attempting to establish direct flights between San Jose and China. More info over here.

Good news all around, I hope these trends continue!

Alaskan and Hawaiian Airlines Adding More SJC Flights

Alaska Airlines is adding new daily nonstop flights to both Kauai and the Big Island in Hawaii starting March 12th. To add to the Aloha party, Hawaiian Airlines is offering 3 new weekly nonstop flights direct to Maui starting January 10th. (their first service direct from San Jose to Maui). Hawaiian Airlines is also doing an introductory rate of $298.40 for the roundtrip flight if you book within the next 4 days.

I think it's safe to say SJC is pretty much covered with flights to Hawaii. Hopefully they will start adding some some new International flights soon. More details over here and here.

Silicon Valley / San Jose International Airport @ Moffett Field

Anthony Dominguez made a great concept document on what life would be like if SJC were to be moved Moffett field. The document is incredibly well thought out and is worth a look. Would love to hear some of your opinions.

I turned the concept document into a convenient Google Doc that you can access right over here.

SJC Lends Helping Hand to SFO

Last week there a ground hold at SFO due to "inclement weather" (i.e. fog). Flights ended up getting diverted to SJC, an airport that stares at you confoundedly when asked about severe weather conditions. Every single flight I've taken out of SJC over the past few years has either left on time or early, and the 3 flights I've had out of the new terminal have been extremely convenient. Dec 26th is one of the busiest travel days of the year and I was able to park, check bags, go through security, and get to the gate in less than 30min. On the flip-side, every flight I have taken out of SFO over the past few years but one has been either delayed or cancelled. The convenience and consistency are why I always try to book out of SJC even if it ends up costing a little bit more.

Thanks Tom for the tip and for the photos below of SFO flights sitting in SJC waiting for the fog to clear up north. I would love to see Virgin planes land here all the time!

Southwest Adding Flights to Austin

It looks like Southwest is kicking off 2 new daily nonstops between San Jose and Austin. The new "nerd bird" flights kick off November 7th.

New SJC Terminal

Several weeks ago I took a Southwest flight down to the LA area and was lucky to get one of the 6 new gates in Terminal B! I think the terminal is already looking fantastic and should be a substantial improvement over terminals A and C when fully opened in mid 2010.

I was going to eat at all of the restaurants (I love food almost as much as San Jose... almost), but due to time constraints I opted to do Shark's Cage--one of the few places that was not available outside of the airport. The food was typical pub fare, but I was impressed by how they made the bar look like it was made out of ice and of course they went all out with Sharks paraphernalia. After walking into the Brit, I was also surprised to find out that a huge chunk of the new airport facing 87 is actually transparent! While it looks like a solid facade from the freeway, the metal is perforated to allow patrons to look out while still blocking most of the sun. Slick design move.

Below are a few snapshots:

Spectacular Dynamic Art Coming to San Jose International Airport

Take a look at this incredibly dynamic artwork from Dan Goods that's set to grace San Jose International Airport in 2010. Called the eCloud, each panel can go from completely transparent based on the weather and wind conditions of airports across the US. I think it serves as an excellent metaphor to Silicon Valley itself, constantly changing and reacting to the various feeds of information culminating here. You can even see a conceptual video of this masterpiece in action.

In other airport news, the "Hands" artwork covering the monolithic parking structure serving The North Concourse and Terminal B is coming along nicely. A quick glance while you're driving down 87 will give you an idea of what's to come... and so far so good.

New Airport Gates Opening on Wednesday

The first 6 gates in San Jose International's shiny new Terminal B will be opening on July 15th. All of the gates will be dedicated to Southwest, but that may change when the terminal is completely finished in mid 2010. Accompanying the new gates will be a new restaurant called "The Sharks Cage" along with a handful of new retail options.

Terminal B will encompass 380,000 square feet and is a $342 million chunk of the overall $1.3 billion airport improvement problem.  For more details, click here.

New San Jose Airport Is Taking Shape

I swung by the airport a few days ago and have to say that it's really coming along. The new concourse looks phenomenal!  It has a very modern, open, and welcoming feel to it. The mostly-glass facade lets you peek inside at what's to come, and it puts the ancient terminal A to shame.

The new taxi/bus stands are already operational and it looks like the monolithic parking structure is just receiving finishing touches. One of these weekends I'll have to head over there with the cameras and snap a few shots!