Press Release FeedGet the RSS feed
Menu

Travel PR News

Oakland Airport Welcomes Trader Vic’s Home Alongside New Plum Market Dining in Terminal 2

The two Hudson-operated locations near Gate 25 pair an Oakland-born restaurant brand with fresh meals, local products and convenient food for departing travellers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Trader Vic’s and Plum Market opened on October 15 in Terminal 2 at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.
  • The Trader Vic’s restaurant near Gate 25 has seating for more than 100 guests and an OAK-exclusive drink.
  • Plum Market offers prepared meals, salads, sandwiches, soups, local products and grab-and-go food.
  • Hudson operates both locations as part of the airport’s expanded passenger dining programme.

Travellers departing from Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) now have two additional places to eat and shop in Terminal 2, following the October 15 opening of Trader Vic’s and Plum Market. The neighbouring outlets, both operated by Hudson, expand the airport’s dining choices while giving one of Oakland’s best-known restaurant names a new presence in its home city.

For passengers, the contrast is straightforward: Trader Vic’s provides a sit-down restaurant with more than 100 seats near Gate 25, while the adjacent Plum Market caters to travellers seeking prepared food, fresh ingredients and portable purchases. The openings are part of the airport’s wider programme to improve terminal amenities and introduce businesses with regional connections, according to the airport’s October 15 announcement.

An Oakland restaurant tradition returns to its roots

Founded in Oakland by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron, Trader Vic’s became known for island-inspired food and the Original Mai Tai, which the brand dates to 1944. Its new airport restaurant combines that heritage with the practical requirements of an airside location: a full-service menu, a cocktail programme and merchandise developed specifically for passengers travelling through OAK.

The drinks selection includes “The Rooted Road,” an airport-exclusive cocktail inspired by Rocky Road ice cream, another food associated with Oakland. The airport said the opening is intended to give travellers a more distinctive local experience rather than another interchangeable terminal food option.

Rhett Rosen, CEO of Trader Vic’s Hospitality Group, described the airport location as particularly meaningful because of the brand’s Bay Area origins. Craig Simon, the Port of Oakland’s Director of Aviation, similarly pointed to the combination of a recognisable Oakland hospitality name and a contemporary fresh-food market as a way of bringing local character into the passenger journey.

Plum Market brings grab-and-go choices next door

Alongside the restaurant, Plum Market offers made-from-scratch dishes, salads, artisan sandwiches, soups, snacks and quick takeaway options. Its assortment also includes products from Northern California suppliers, beverages and wellness essentials, designed to serve both passengers with little time before boarding and those wanting a broader selection of prepared food.

Matt Jonna, Plum Market’s CEO and co-founder, positioned the location around fresh, chef-driven meals for travellers on different schedules. The two concepts are run by Hudson, part of Avolta, whose North American President and CEO Steve Johnson said the pairing reflects its approach to combining restaurant hospitality with fast, convenient airport shopping.

For OAK, the adjacent formats serve different needs within the same part of the terminal. Passengers who have time for a seated meal can choose Trader Vic’s, while those managing a tighter departure schedule have a takeaway alternative steps away. Information about terminal facilities is available through the airport website.

Opening ceremony highlights local ties

The ribbon-cutting programme brought together Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, US Representative Lateefah Simon, California Assemblymember Mia Bonta and Port of Oakland Board President Stephanie Dominguez Walton, as well as executives from Trader Vic’s, Plum Market and Avolta. Guests sampled menu items, heard a live ukulele performance and joined a non-alcoholic Mai Tai-themed workshop.

The event marked the opening of two operational concessions, rather than a proposed future development. Their arrival adds another option for passengers using Terminal 2 and forms part of the airport’s continuing effort to broaden its food and retail programme through partnerships with established brands and regional businesses.

  1. TravelSt. Regis Cap Cana sets 2026 holiday calendar around family traditions, festive dining and a Caribbean New YearThe Dominican Republic resort's November 25–January 1 programme spans a Thanksgiving 5K, locally led workshops, Christmas gatherings and New Year's Eve celebrations. KEY TAKEAWAYS The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort's 2026 festive programme runs from November 25 to January 1. Thanksgiving includes a November 26 5K Turkey Trot, family workshops and a dinner at Cassava.... Read the full news article
  2. TravelTurkish Airlines and CFM plan 300-plus LEAP-1B engines and long-term support for growing Boeing 737 MAX fleetCompanies: Turkish AirlinesBoeingIstanbul agreement spans more than 600 engines across Turkish Airlines and AJet and supports a proposed engine maintenance facility in Türkiye. KEY TAKEAWAYS Memorandum envisages more than 300 new LEAP-1B engines, including spares, for 100 firm and 50 option Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Proposed long-term support covers more than 600 engines across Turkish Airlines and... Read the full news article
  3. TravelDelta Expands Iceland Connections with Daily Boston–Keflavík Flights for Summer 2027The seasonal route will run from April 12 through October 30 aboard Boeing 757-200 aircraft, creating a new nonstop option for New England travellers. KEY TAKEAWAYS Delta plans daily nonstop flights between Boston Logan (BOS) and Keflavík (KEF) from April 12 to October 30, 2027. The seasonal service is scheduled to use Boeing 757-200 aircraft.... Read the full news article
  4. Food & drinkBurnaby welcomes Día de los Muertos weekend of music, remembrance and cultural workshopsLatincouver brings a two-day celebration to The Amazing Brentwood on 24–25 October, with dance, traditional food, a marketplace and small-group creative sessions. KEY TAKEAWAYS Latincouver’s Día de los Muertos celebration takes place at The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby on 24–25 October 2026, from noon to 7 p.m. The event features live Latin music, folkloric dance,... Read the full news article
  5. EnergyChristchurch Airport’s Kōwhai Park opens as South Island’s largest solar farmThe NZ$273 million project adds 150MWac of renewable capacity and links airport land use with industrial electrification and regional jobs. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kōwhai Park has officially opened at Christchurch Airport, adding 150MWac of renewable generation capacity to New Zealand’s electricity system. The NZ$273 million project is expected to generate about 275GWh a year, roughly matching... Read the full news article
  6. EducationToronto Pearson and Seneca Deepen Partnership to Build Airport Career PathwaysThe new education-to-employment agreement aims to connect students and graduates with employers as Canada's largest airport prepares for future growth. KEY TAKEAWAYS Seneca Polytechnic and Toronto Pearson signed a memorandum of understanding to broaden access to airport-related careers. The agreement aims to improve connections among students, graduates and employers throughout the airport ecosystem. The partnership... Read the full news article