Don’t let the airport turn you into a Grinch: 2025 Holiday flight travel tips for Jacksonville

We all love the holidays, but let’s be real — nothing kills the Christmas spirit faster than a chaotic airport experience. Between the crowds, the parking nightmares, and the TSA lines that seem to stretch back to the Buckman Bridge, flying out of Jacksonville this time of year can be a serious test of patience. But don’t let the stress turn you into a Grinch; a little prep goes a long way.

ARRIVE EARLY:

You absolutely cannot cut it close on time. The airport is recommending arriving at least 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international ones, and trust me, you are going to need every minute of that cushion to navigate the holiday rush. Even without data during the shutdown, delays are up across the board in 2025...act like you been here before!

CHECK AHEAD FOR PARKING:

You should have a plan for your car because parking is going to be tight. The Economy lots are your best bet for saving cash, but they fill up fast, so check the JAX Airport website for real-time availability before you even leave your house — or better yet, just Uber and save yourself the headache! Feel free to click the image below for updated times.

MIND YOUR LUGGAGE

Streamline your security experience by packing smart and leaving the wrapping paper at home. TSA can and will unwrap your beautifully packaged gifts if they need to inspect them, so save the wrapping for when you arrive at your destination to keep the line moving.

Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be a disaster if you go in with a game plan. Give yourself extra time, check the parking situation before you drive, and pack like a pro, and you’ll be sipping eggnog at your destination before you know it. Safe travels, Jacksonville!