Pre-9/11 airport environments allowed more freedom for casual visitors, families, and friends to roam terminals and greet travelers at their gates.
Many travelers recall the era when farewells and reunions took place in view of the plane rather than curbside.
Recent collaborations between airports and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have allowed certain facilities to reintroduce visitor pass programs.
These passes grant non-flying guests access to secure areas once again.
Domestic airports now offer a process to revive a service that many view as an important aspect of the travel experience. Visitor pass holders must comply with all TSA security regulations, undergo standard screening, and appear on no relevant watch lists.
Regulations and the TSA’s role
Airports with gate access to non-ticketed visitors must navigate rigorous requirements set by the TSA. Applicants are instructed to provide personal details and identification. Each application is then checked against security databases.
Participating airports
These airports currently allow visitors to be gate-side without a flight:
- Tampa International Airport (TPA).
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
- Bishop International Airport (FNT).
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT).
- Ontario International Airport (ONT).
Each airport has formulated its own processes, though all have strict visitor applications and security screenings and adhere to TSA guidelines.
Tampa International Airport’s access
Tampa International Airport extended its TPA All Access program to daily operations in January 2020.
This pass was initially available only on Saturdays, but demand prompted a schedule expansion, allowing non-travelers to enter secure areas every day between 08:00 and 20:00.
The pass covers TPA’s four airside terminals (A, C, E, and F), each with its own security checkpoint.
Restaurant options, shops, and boarding gate seating areas provide a range of experiences for those who want to spend extra time with family members or friends before departure.
According to The Points Guy, the TPA All Access initiative expanded in response to community requests. One statement reflecting this stance comes from Joseph Lopano, the airport’s chief executive officer, who stated,
“This airport belongs to the Tampa Bay community, and our All Access program is one way of making sure as many people as possible can experience all it has to offer.”
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Permanent Visitor Pass
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport offers the SEA Visitor Pass, which started as a test in 2018 and became permanent in late 2019.
The airport increased its daily pass limit from 100 to 200 in response to popularity.
Hours of use are from 08:00 to 22:00, allowing visitors to shop at boutiques, explore dining venues, and wait with loved ones up until boarding time.
Applicants submit a form online for approval, and can receive a same-day pass. The process includes a thorough security check that complies with all TSA directives.
Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan
Bishop International Airport launched its FNT Visitors Pass program to welcome non-ticketed guests during weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00.
This program allows access to select amenities, such as gift shops, restaurants, a children’s play area, and a shoeshine stand.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s Long-Term Trial
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport created the DTW Destination Pass, offering up to 75 daily passes from Tuesday through Sunday from 08:00 to 20:00.
Initially presented as a trial, the airport decided in January 2020 to keep the program indefinitely.
Feedback from local residents showed support for the ability to meet friends and family near the gate and take advantage of restaurants and shops inside the terminal area.
The Points Guy quotes Chad Newton, the Wayne County Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer, as saying:
“We understand that our facility is more than just an airport ... It is a pleasure to offer everyone a chance to experience DTW and create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport’s Guest Pass
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport began its MSY Guest Pass program in December 2019, one month after opening a redesigned terminal.
The program operates every day from 11:00 to 20:00 and requires at least 24 hours’ notice for online applications.
Airport administrators evaluated the success of other airports’ trials and determined that providing the same amenities in New Orleans would enrich the passenger experience.
Interested guests can now explore dining options as well as seating lounges in the facility’s new space without booking a flight.
Pittsburgh International Airport’s Pioneering MyPITPass
The program has attracted locals who wish to visit the airport terminal for a variety of reasons, such as training a support animal or simply to see the art installations.
Primarily, however, users take advantage of the program to to say farewell and greet family members in a more comfortable setting than the usual curbside or baggage claim areas.
San Antonio International Airport’s SAT Pass
At San Antonio International, TPR reported the introduction of the new SAT Pass program, which permits a limited number of non-travelers past security checkpoints. The initiative started with a cap on daily passes, allowing friends and relatives to wait at departure gates or greet arrivals in person.
According to Community Impact, the airport has designated time windows for pass validity, typically from mid-afternoon into the evening. This scheduling aims to manage traffic and guarantee a smooth flow at security checkpoints.
“We listened to our travelers and community members. We feel Valentine’s week is the perfect time to launch this free new service. We shared information about the new program with our travelers and included the message on some sweet treats for Valentine’s Day.”
Ontario International Airport’s ONT+ Visitor Pass
The program known as ONT+ became a permanent fixture at Ontario International Airport in California. Ontario International Airport explains that “this program allows the general public who are not flying that day to visit ONT and enjoy the amenities on the post-security side of the passenger terminal.”
The process requires an online application including basic personal details and a valid form of identification. The Moodie Davitt Report relayed a statement from ONT Public Safety Administrator Dean Brown, who explained that:
“We all remember the excitement of being able to meet arriving family and friends as they get off the plane. ONT+ is a way to bring back some of that experience from decades ago, in a safe and secure manner.”
Passes can be requested on the same day if availability permits, and the program extends until 21:00 daily. Ontario International has made significant improvements under local ownership in recent years, including the addition of restaurants, shops, and lounges.
Officials have placed no fee on ONT+ visitor passes, and no requirement exists for the non-traveler to arrive with a ticketed passenger.
The airport reserves the right to cancel approved passes or modify the rules under conditions that warrant tighter control. Ontario International’s success with ONT+ mirrors the positive reception seen at other airports that offer similar systems.
The bottom line
Visitor passes for gate access benefit travelers and communities in some very human ways. They allow families to be more connected, allowing affectionate farewells and celebrations beyond security checkpoints at moments that matter the most.
These passes can even benefit the airport by bringing in extra revenue to terminal businesses, for shops, cafés, and restaurants, as they attract the non-flyers who enjoy unique airport amenities while they see off or greet their loved ones.
These passes even offer a nostalgic return to the pre-9/11 norms of open-access travel experience at the airport.
Their success is a result of cooperation between airport staff, security authorities, and local residents that enhances convenience, hospitality, and economic growth, while still maintaining robust safety and security.
