(Santa Barbara, CALIFORNIA) Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) will thank travelers with a week of free coffee, ice cream, live music, and therapy dog meet-and-greets during its second annual Passenger Appreciation Week, running August 10–16, 2025. The airport says daily activities will roll out inside the terminal, creating small moments of comfort and fun for people catching flights during the busy summer travel period. VisaVerge.com reports that Santa Barbara Airport has scheduled the full slate and invited local partners to help, marking a broader program than last year’s first run.
Airport officials describe the effort as a simple way to show care for passengers who keep the terminal busy year-round. The plan connects travelers with local names like Santa Barbara Roasting Company and McConnell’s Ice Cream, adds live music on two days, and brings a therapy dog team into the terminal twice to help ease pre-flight nerves. Those not flying can still take part online, with the airport encouraging the community to watch for Instagram giveaways throughout the week.
Week’s lineup and how to take part
Activities run every day from Sunday through Saturday, with limited free items on several days. The airport notes quantities are capped for early passengers, and live acts and meet-and-greets are scheduled windows, not all-day events.
- Sunday, August 10: Free coffee from Santa Barbara Roasting Company for the first 50 passengers.
- Monday, August 11: Free ice cream from McConnell’s for the first 100 passengers; live music by “Rockability.”
- Tuesday, August 12: Therapy dog meet-and-greet by Cottage Health; free coloring pages from Direct Relief.
- Wednesday, August 13: Free coloring pages; free UCSB Athletics tickets and swag; live music by DJ of Ability.
- Thursday, August 14: Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara meet-and-greet with photo ops and swag; more coloring pages and UCSB Athletics giveaways.
- Friday, August 15: Free swag from Figueroa Mountain Brewing; button making and an art station by Pacific Pride Foundation.
- Saturday, August 16: Mobile bookstore “All Booked Up,” with $10 off for the first 20 passengers.
The airport says “additional surprises” will appear without notice during the week. People who aren’t traveling are invited to follow @flySBA on Instagram for real-time updates and chances to win online. For official details, schedules, and any last-minute changes, the airport has a dedicated page at https://flysba.santabarbaraca.gov/PAW25.
Partners supporting the week
- Santa Barbara Roasting Company
- McConnell’s Ice Cream
- Cottage Health
- Direct Relief
- UCSB Athletics
- Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara
- Figueroa Mountain Brewing
- Pacific Pride Foundation
- All Booked Up bookstore
The City of Santa Barbara is promoting the week as part of a broader push to keep the airport connected to the community it serves.
Growth snapshot and what’s next for the terminal
Passenger traffic at Santa Barbara Airport has climbed each year since 2022, clearing the one‑million mark for three straight years. The airport reports annual totals of 1,219,581 (2022), 1,277,545 (2023), and 1,418,996 (2024).
This growth is shaping planning and service options. SBA recently added a Sunday non-stop flight to Phoenix on Southwest Airlines, giving weekend travelers another direct option to a key desert hub.
Why Passenger Appreciation Week matters
Airport leaders emphasize simple comforts as a way to improve the travel experience when the terminal is busy. Small gestures can make a measurable difference:
- A free coffee before an early flight can boost alertness and mood.
- A short set of live music near the gate can reduce stress and create pleasant wait times.
- A moment with a therapy dog can lower breathing and heart rates for anxious travelers, parents, seniors, or first-time flyers.
By anchoring the week in local partners, the airport also gives travelers a taste of Santa Barbara without leaving the post-security area.
2025 edition vs. inaugural week
The inaugural Appreciation Week ran in August 2024. Based on positive feedback and partner interest, the 2025 edition expands scheduled activities and broadens participating groups. This year’s blend includes:
- Comfort items: coffee, ice cream
- Creative outlets: coloring pages, button making, art station
- Performances: live music sets
- Emotional support: two therapy dog meetups
The event is designed to reach many types of travelers while avoiding long lines or crowding.
Therapy dog visits — why they stand out
Therapy dog visits are scheduled twice:
1. Cottage Health — Tuesday, August 12
2. Therapy Dogs of Santa Barbara — Thursday, August 14 (includes photo moments and swag)
These visits provide calm, friendly interaction useful for travelers trying to relax before a flight, especially families and anxious flyers.
For travelers and the community — practical notes
- Most free items are first‑come, limited quantities.
- Live acts and meet-and-greets occur in scheduled windows, not all day.
- If your flight aligns with a giveaway (coffee, ice cream, bookstore discount), you can pick up a perk en route to your gate.
- Follow @flySBA on Instagram for pop-up contests, extra giveaways, and real-time updates.
- Official event page: https://flysba.santabarbaraca.gov/PAW25.
City officials say the airport will continue focusing on growth, safety, and service quality through 2025. Staff expect related infrastructure and economic items to reach the City Council in September 2025, part of routine planning tied to a busier terminal.
With more than 1.4 million travelers last year and the new Sunday Phoenix link, SBA’s team appears focused on small, practical steps inside the terminal that make travel days feel smoother.
The airport’s message is direct: thanks to the people who choose SBA. By tying that message to partners rooted in Santa Barbara, the terminal reminds travelers that an airport can be more than a stopover — it can be a front door to a wider community, one cup of coffee, one scoop of ice cream, or one calm therapy dog at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Santa Barbara Airport’s Passenger Appreciation Week runs August 10–16, 2025, offering free coffee, ice cream, live music, therapy dogs, giveaways, and local partners to ease travel stress and showcase community connections for the terminal’s growing passenger base.
