In what we now usually seek advice from as “the nice previous days of air journey,” it was widespread for family and friends members to be ready on the gate once you stepped off the aircraft to provide you a giant hug.
It was additionally regular for them to go along with you to the airport, hang around for a meal or a snack within the terminal after which wave goodbye as you headed down the jetway on your flight.
Now, after all, all of the emotional enterprise should happen curbside or on the entry to the safety checkpoint lane … or does it?
In a development that warms our hearts, greater than a dozen U.S. airports now have packages that invite nonticketed friends to use without spending a dime passes that grant permission to undergo airport safety and spend time within the terminal. They’ll store, dine, view artwork displays, hearken to reside music, watch planes come and go and, sure, spend extra time with family members.
These packages are nice for family and friends. To not point out, the open-arms coverage additionally advantages postsecurity airport retailers and eating places.
How airport gate move packages work
At airports providing gate move packages (listed under), nonticketed friends should both join on-line forward of time — normally between 24 hours and 7 days earlier than their deliberate go to — or, in some instances, at a kiosk within the terminal on the day they hope to go to.
The steps for making use of for a move can fluctuate by airport, however all packages will ask you to supply your full identify and the date you would like to go to. Some airports take it from there and have the Transportation Safety Administration run your data by means of the system. Others ask you to scan a passport or Actual ID. Relying on the airport, the applying approval window can vary from straight away (at airports with on-site kiosks) to only after midnight on the day you requested a go to.
If a move will get accepted, you may want to point out that digital code along with your ID and undergo safety screening together with ticketed passengers. TSA PreCheck and different expedited safety lane standing will not be honored, and, in some instances, passholders will likely be required to undergo a selected checkpoint. The variety of hours you might be allowed to remain within the terminal — and what you carry with you — may additionally be restricted, so make sure you learn all of the directions.
US airports with gate move packages (as of August 2025)
Cleveland Hopkins Worldwide Airport (CLE)
New as of Aug. 11, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport gives the Hopkins Hangout Pass.
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Purposes are accepted on-line as early as seven days however no later than sooner or later earlier than your proposed go to date, and the airport’s restrict is 100 guests per day.
Kansas Metropolis Worldwide Airport (MCI) in Missouri
Kansas City International Airport, which opened its must-see new terminal in 2023, rolled out its Guest Pass Program in July 2025.
You might apply on-line one to seven days previous to your proposed go to and on the identical day as your go to if spots can be found. Stays longer than six hours should not permitted.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans Worldwide Airport (MSY)
The Indulge MSY Guest Pass started because the MSY Visitor Go program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport again in 2019, shortly after the airport moved into its new terminal.
Purposes for gate passes are accepted online forward of a deliberate go to; for a day-of go to, purposes are accepted at a kiosk on Stage 1 close to baggage declare between doorways 2 and three. Passholders have entry to the safe facet of the airport between 3:30 a.m. and eight p.m.
Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL)
The Wingmate Pass at Philadelphia International Airport limits visitor passes to 100 guests a day.
You possibly can apply as much as seven days upfront however should accomplish that no less than 24 hours earlier than a deliberate go to. Guests are allowed within the safe space between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m., with a six-hour restrict for every keep.
Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA)
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the SEA Visitor Pass Program is restricted to 300 friends per day.
Apply on-line on the day of your go to or as much as seven days upfront. Go customers should enter by means of TSA Checkpoint 4 and are allowed within the terminal between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. The final entry time is 9 p.m.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Nonticketed friends might apply for a same-day DTW Destination Pass at kiosks on the departure ranges of each the McNamara and Evans terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. They could use passes from 4 a.m. till 9 p.m.
Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA)
Nashville International Airport has a number of reside music phases and a liquor coverage that allows prospects to take their bought drinks to the gates and different spots within the terminal.
The airport rolled out its BNA Passport in July 2024 and points 75 visitor passes every day to friends who apply on-line.
Palm Springs Worldwide Airport (PSP) in California
Palm Springs International Airport gives a Stay & Play Visitor Pass which you can apply for as much as seven days previous to your deliberate go to. As with different gate move packages, if you cannot choose a selected date on your go to, it means all passes for that day have already been allotted.
San Antonio Worldwide Airport (SAT)
You possibly can apply on-line for a SAT Pass to go to San Antonio International Airport as much as seven days upfront. The airport additionally accepts purposes for same-day visits if the every day quota for passes has not but been met.
Tulsa Worldwide Airport (TUL) in Oklahoma
The TUL Visitor Pass Program at Tulsa International Airport accepts purposes as much as seven days earlier than a deliberate go to. Each digital and printed passes are honored on the checkpoint at or after the accepted begin time and as much as 9 p.m.
John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California
John Wayne Airport in Orange County welcomes nonticketed friends with its OC AirPass. From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., you may apply for a same-day move on the data cubicles in Terminal A, B or C on the decrease degree of the bag declare space.
Ontario Worldwide Airport (ONT) in California
Southern California’s Ontario International Airport accepts purposes for its ONT+ Visitor Pass Program on-line the day of your go to and as much as seven days upfront. Present your digital move and ID on the accepted terminal (2 or 4).
Capital Regional Worldwide Airport (LAN) in Michigan
Capital Regional International Airport in Lansing welcomes 25 guests by means of its LAN Visitor Pass on weekdays solely. Visits are restricted to 4 hours per day, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Purposes should be made no less than 24 hours earlier than a go to, and same-day requests are accepted.
Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Washington
Cozy Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco — which has flights to Seattle and 9 different main cities — gives a PSC Pass for as much as 10 guests every day. These should apply on-line no later than 8:30 p.m. the day earlier than the requested go to date.
Gate move packages on maintain
As of July, the MCO Visitor Pass Program for Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (MCO) is on maintain.
We count on that Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), which was the primary airport to supply a gate move program again in 2017, will revive its MyPITpass program as soon as the brand new landside terminal opens this fall.
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