{
  "response": {
    "Key": "IAD-SJO",
    "orig": {
      "code": "IAD",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Washington",
      "fullCity": "Washington, United States",
      "airport": "Washington Intl Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "SJO",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "San José",
      "fullCity": "San José, Costa Rica",
      "airport": "Juan Santamaría Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "A nonstop flight from Washington Dulles (IAD) to San José (SJO) typically takes about 4 hours 40 minutes to 5 hours. With one stop, often in Miami or Atlanta, total travel time usually ranges from 6 to 8 hours."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "United Airlines flies nonstop from Washington Dulles (IAD) to San José (SJO), with two weekly flights on Saturdays and Sundays. Departures are in the morning around 8:55 AM, and the typical fare runs about $682.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours. Carrier service and weekly frequencies are summarized from our flight-schedule database, which draws on published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data, and observed operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). Where available, on-time and cancellation rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Airline On-Time Performance dataset, and typical fares from the U.S. DOT Airline Origin and Destination Survey (DB1B), a quarterly 10% sample of tickets sold.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines",
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q2": {
        "question": "Are there visa requirements to travel from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "Yes, visa requirements apply. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits up to 90 days, but must have a valid passport and proof of onward travel. Costa Rican citizens need a visa to enter the U.S. unless they hold a valid U.S. visa or are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (Costa Rica is not a VWP country). Other nationalities should check both U.S. and Costa Rican entry requirements based on their citizenship."
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in San José?",
        "answer": "Ground transportation options from San José (SJO) airport to the city center are limited. Official taxis are available and provide the fastest and most reliable connection, taking about 20 minutes. There is no train or mass transit service to the airport. Ride-sharing apps like Uber operate but may face restrictions and cannot pick up directly at the terminal. Car rentals are available from major agencies, but driving in San José can be challenging. Most travelers use taxis for convenience.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo_Airport_Station",
            "title": "Oslo Airport Station",
            "time_published": "2026-06-29T00:03:02Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stavanger%20Airport",
            "title": "Stavanger Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-25T16:01:25Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trondheim_Central_Station",
            "title": "Trondheim Central Station",
            "time_published": "2026-07-02T20:05:04Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo%20Airport%20Station",
            "title": "Oslo Airport Station",
            "time_published": "2025-09-03T10:12:57Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo%20Airport%2C%20Gardermoen",
            "title": "Oslo Airport, Gardermoen",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T21:45:48Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "The cheapest months to fly from Washington Dulles to San José are May, April, and June, with average fares as low as $368. The most expensive period is December, followed by January and November, when average prices climb to $628.",
        "methodology": "This 'good deal' estimate shows a representative best price for each departure date across roughly a 12-month window (about 3 months back and 9 months forward). It is built from real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, accumulated into a price history for each departure date. Rather than weighting all of that history equally, we apply exponential time decay so recent prices dominate — a price seen yesterday counts almost in full, one from about a month ago roughly a third, and prices from a few months back very little — giving a figure that tracks today's market instead of a stale long-run average. Clear price outliers are removed before any calculation, departure dates with no observations are filled in from nearby dates, and the resulting curve is lightly smoothed so it reads as a clean seasonal trend rather than day-to-day noise.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "The optimal booking window for flights from Washington (Dulles) to San José is roughly 10 to 13 weeks before departure, with average fares around $467. Booking around 80 days out can yield the lowest price near $463, while purchasing far in advance (e.g., 180 days) or last minute tends to push fares above $500. For summer and holiday periods, it's wise to book toward the earlier end of that window or even a bit sooner, as demand can shrink availability and raise prices.",
        "methodology": "This booking-window guidance is built from the same real flight prices found by Priceline users searching this route, re-grouped by how many days before departure each price was seen (from the departure day out to about 180 days ahead) across the route's price history. At each booking lead time we report the 25th-percentile price — the cheaper end of what travelers were quoted, rather than the rock-bottom minimum (which can be a fluke) or the average (which is pulled up by expensive last-minute fares). The buy-or-wait advice then applies a risk premium that grows as departure approaches, since seat availability shrinks and prices become less predictable; using that adjusted curve we flag windows where waiting is likely to save a meaningful amount (at least $20 or 5%) versus windows where booking now is the better call. Isolated single-day recommendations are filtered out, so the advice only reflects a window that holds for several days in a row.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "No overnight (red-eye) flights operate on the Washington (IAD) to San José (SJO) route — there are no nonstop red-eyes, and no connecting itineraries have a red-eye long leg.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "United Airlines flies nonstop from Washington Dulles to San José, Costa Rica, with 4 weekly flights on Saturdays and Sundays. The median fare is around $682.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Washington and San José?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities between Washington Dulles and San José include Atlanta, Miami, and Panama City. Atlanta offers the most frequency and shortest total travel times via Delta. Miami provides abundant connections on American Airlines with a quick flight to Costa Rica. Panama City, via Copa Airlines, features efficient transfers at a hub that specializes in Latin American routes and allows transit without entering Panama."
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "On-time performance is generally good, but afternoon thunderstorms at Dulles can cause delays. Early flights, particularly on United, tend to depart more reliably."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to San José?",
        "answer": "December to April is the dry season with sunny days and less rain, though it's the busiest. For fewer crowds and still decent weather, visit in May or November."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "Bring a passport valid for at least six months, proof of onward or return travel, and a payment method for baggage. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 180 days, but check current health entry requirements. Real ID is not required for international travel."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in San José?",
        "answer": "San José has one main airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located about 20 minutes northwest of downtown and serving all commercial flights to the city."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Washington Intl Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Washington, DC to Dulles International Airport (IAD), the most popular and affordable option is the Metrorail Silver Line combined with a short shuttle bus, taking about an hour total. Ride‑share services like Uber and Lyft are authorized for pickup and provide a direct door‑to‑terminal trip in roughly 45 minutes, while Washington Flyer taxis are available 24/7 at a higher cost. Shared‑van services such as SuperShuttle offer a middle ground for cost and convenience, and driving yourself is possible with economy parking and a free shuttle to the terminal.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://flydulles.com/flight-schedule-dulles-international-airport-iad",
            "title": "flydulles.com - Flight Schedule - Dulles International Airport (IAD)",
            "time_published": "2022-03-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://parking.flydulles.com/economy-parking",
            "title": "Dulles International Airport Parking | Economy Parking",
            "time_published": "2026-02-06T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.mwaa.com/ipw-2017-archived",
            "title": "IPW 2017 - Archived",
            "time_published": "2021-02-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.mwaa.com/policefireems/fire-ems/fire-ems-washington-dulles-international-airport",
            "title": "mwaa.com - Fire & EMS at Washington Dulles International Airport",
            "favicon": "https://www.mwaa.com/themes/custom/mwaa_barrio/favicon.ico",
            "time_published": "2023-09-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulles%20International%20Airport",
            "title": "Dulles International Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T14:07:38Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "There is no nonstop service from Washington Dulles to San José; all flights connect. The long leg is most often a Boeing 737 MAX 8, operated by United or American through hubs like Houston (IAH), Miami (MIA), or Newark (EWR). Other long-leg aircraft that appear include the Airbus A320 family (on Avianca via San Salvador or Guatemala City) and Boeing 737-800s (on Copa via Panama City), while the shorter connector legs use a mix of Boeing 737 variants, Airbus A319/A320/A321s, and occasionally regional jets like the CRJ-550.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "United Airlines (Star Alliance) is the only carrier with nonstop service from Washington Dulles to San José, operating four weekly flights on Saturdays and Sundays. No other alliance has a nonstop presence on this route, though one-stop options may be available through other alliances. United is a Star Alliance member, so there are no major unaffiliated carriers to flag.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Washington?",
        "answer": "At Washington Dulles (IAD), departing passengers can access several lounges, including the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Air France/KLM Lounge, and Turkish Airlines Lounge in Concourses A and B. The Etihad Airways Lounge operates as a Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, and a Capital One Lounge is located near the TSA PreCheck area on the Ticketing Level. Access is typically granted to business class passengers, elite status holders, or through programs like Priority Pass and lounge membership cards. The Capital One Lounge offers all-inclusive amenities like freshly prepared food, grab-and-go options, and workspaces, while the Air France/KLM Lounge provides a quiet space with complimentary drinks and snacks. Note that the Lufthansa Business and Senator Lounges are temporarily closed.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/IAD",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Washington Dulles International Airport | Amex US",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/washington-dulles-international",
            "title": "Washington Dulles International Airport IAD Lounges - IAD Airport Guide and lounges.  | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://americanexpress.com/en-th/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/IAD",
            "title": "American Express Lounges at Washington Dulles International Airport | Amex TH",
            "time_published": "2026-01-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.flydulles.com/travel-information/services-amenities/airport-lounges/capital-one-lounge-iad",
            "title": "Capital One Lounge - IAD | flydulles.com",
            "time_published": "2022-03-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://my.prioritypass.com/zh-CN/lounges/united-states-of-america/washington-dulles-international/iad6-air-france-klm-lounge",
            "title": "Air France - KLM Lounge IAD AIRPORT A 大厅 杜勒斯国际机场 (Washington DC Dulles Intl) | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ]
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "On Washington–San José flights, Basic Economy fares usually exclude checked baggage. Standard economy typically includes one checked bag and a carry‑on, while premium cabins offer two checked bags and enhanced carry‑on allowances."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Washington to San José?",
        "answer": "Flights from Washington to San José typically offer Economy and flat‑bed Business class; Premium Economy is uncommon on this route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies vary by airline and fare class; flexible and premium cabin tickets typically allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy usually does not."
      }
    }
  }
}