These 12 Airports Will Now Let You Greet Loved Ones at the Gate—But You Need to Do This One Thing First
If you’re of a certain—let’s call it distinguished—age, you probably remember the good ol’ days of greeting your loved ones at the gate before waving them off for a flight. Even if you were born after 9/11 security restrictions went into effect, you’re likely aware that airport hellos and goodbyes used to look different. Just look at the dozens of Hollywood blockbusters portraying dramatic reunions and sendoffs at the gate.
If you long for those halcyon days of air travel, you’re in luck. Select airports will now let you inside the terminal without a ticket so you can greet your loved ones at the gate or say an extended, emotional goodbye after getting through security.
Keep reading to find out which airports offer visitor passes that allow you inside the terminal even without a plane ticket and what you need to do to secure your spot.
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What does the pass allow you to do?
There are 12 airports across the United States that will allow you to see your family and friends off from their gate, meet them at the gate when they arrive or, in some cases, just hang out in the airport terminal if that strikes your fancy. Think of these passes like an airline ticket with no destination: You can get into the airport, but you don’t actually board a flight.
If this sounds like a throwback policy, that’s because it kind of is. For decades, visitors without tickets were allowed to hang out in airport terminals, as security measures were far more lax prior to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Since then, entry into the terminals has been restricted to ticketed passengers only. But over the past few years, airports have slowly but surely started to make exceptions to the rule, making room for visitors to share those special moments with loved ones.
How do you apply for a pass?
While each program operates independently and the application process differs from one airport to the next, most are relatively similar—and easy to apply for. Typically, you’ll want to complete your application in the seven days leading up to your visit, though passes are limited, so it’s best to apply as far in advance as possible.
On the date and time of your visit, you’ll need to show your ID when you get to the airport and go through the TSA security checkpoint with all of the ticketed passengers. After that, you’re free to head to the gate!
Which airports allow non-passengers beyond security?
Currently, there are 12 airports in the United States that allow non-passengers beyond TSA security checkpoints. Check out the list below to see if your nearest airport is one of them and what you need to do to send off or welcome your loved ones at their gates.
San Antonio International Airport
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) rolled out the SAT Pass Program in February 2025. You can apply for the program online up to seven days before your loved one’s arrival, and you’ll get your pass via email. Spots are limited, so sign up early.
Philadelphia International Airport
The city of brotherly love offers PHL Wingmate Pass, a program that allows you to apply for a pass to accompany loved ones to or from their gate at no cost. You can apply up to seven days in advance, and you need to specify which time and which Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) terminal you’ll be visiting.
Orlando International Airport
The next time you need to drop off or pick up a guest from Orlando International Airport (MCO), you can apply for the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program, which allows visitors without tickets to enter Terminal C. Passes can be used only digitally, and you can’t bring any luggage with you.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) launched the SEA Visitor Pass Program in 2018. Each day, there are 300 passes made available for visitors entering at Checkpoint 3, and though you’re allowed reentry, you have to go back through security if you leave the airport.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
The MSY Guest Pass is available to visitors of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) who make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. Only 50 passes are available on each weekday, and 100 are available on each weekend day.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport
To apply for the DTW Destination Pass, you’ll have to visit Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) in person using the kiosks on the departures level. Passes are active between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. each day.
Tulsa International Airport
You can apply online on the same day or up to seven days before using the Tulsa International Airport (TUL) Visitor Pass. You can’t bring any luggage into the airport with you, and you must visit only the approved terminal at the approved time.
Capital Region International Airport
Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, Michigan, offers the LAN Visitor Pass Program, which allows no more than 25 visitors without tickets inside the airport per day. They’re all first come, first served, and they’re valid for four-hour blocks.
John Wayne Airport
Located in Orange County, California, John Wayne Airport (SNA) offers OC AirPasses at the Information Booth situated in its A, B and C terminals. Be sure to keep the pass with you the entire time you’re in the airport, even after you head the through the TSA checkpoint.
Ontario International Airport
The ONT+ Visitor Pass Program, offered by Ontario International Airport (ONT) in Ontario, California, allows visitors access to one specific terminal at one specific time. You can submit your application online on the same day as your visit or up to seven days in advance. Be sure to bring your phone—you’ll need to show your pass digitally. Printed passes aren’t accepted, and the airport will deny you entry without the digital version.
Palm Springs International Airport
You can apply for the PSP Stay and Play Pass to meet visitors at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) on the same day or up to seven days in advance of your visit. Apply online, and you’ll get a confirmation email in the wee hours of the morning on the day of your visit. You’ll need to go through the TSA screening line and have your ID handy.
Tri-Cities Airport
If you want to secure one of the 10 PSC Passes available each day for visitors to the Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) in Blountville, Tennessee, you’ll have to sign up early. Same-day requests aren’t accepted, and you’re allowed only one pass per month.
Is the program expected to extend to additional airports?
Because each airport’s visitor program operates independently, there’s no telling where additional programs might roll out or when. However, they’ve been popping up more and more frequently over the past few years, so a visitor program may be headed to an airport near you sometime in the not-so-distant future.
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Sources:
- San Antonio International Airport: “SAT Pass Program”
- Philadelphia International Airport: “PHL Wingmate Pass”
- Orlando International Airport: “Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program”
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: “SEA Visitor Pass Program”
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: “MSY Guest Pass”
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport: “DTW Destination Pass”
- Tulsa International Airport: “TUL Visitor Pass”
- Capital Region International Airport: “LAN Visitor Pass Program”
- John Wayne Airport: “OC AirPasses”
- Ontario International Airport: “ONT+ Visitor Pass Program”
- Palm Springs International Airport: “PSP Stay and Play Pass”
- Tri-Cities Airport: “PSC Passes”
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