For years, if you wanted to get through security, you needed a ticket.
There were exceptions for situations like an unaccompanied minor. If your kid was flying without you, you could usually get a temporary pass from the airline to escort them to the gate. But these were very specific situations and handled by the airlines, not the airport.
In recent years, many airports (almost thirty at last count) now have programs that allow non-ticketed visitors through security with guest passes.
Here’s how they work and where it is offered.
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How Airport Guest Passes Work
Each airport handles it differently, and operate under different names, but there are a few commonalities across them (they all appear to be free, for example).
First, these are not gate passes. They let you through security and you aren’t required to go to a gate or even justify your reason for going. If you just wanted to enjoy the amenities of the airport, you could.
Next, the application window is seven or fourteen days from the date you wish to visit. Some programs allow you to apply the same day, some require at least 24 hours notice.
Many of the programs have daily limits, sometimes very low limits, so you’ll want to apply as soon as possible. Your guest pass may have a time limit as well, such as six hours, though it’s unclear how this is enforced.
You still go through security and without the benefit of TSA PreCheck. You have to follow all the rules regarding liquids and shoes and bring a REAL ID or passport.
Airports with Guest Pass Programs
Here is a list of all the airports with links to their guest pass programs and any important notes.
| Airport | Official Program Page | Key Details / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Akron-Canton Airport, OH (CAK) | CAK Guest Pass | Tue–Fri, 10am–6pm. Apply at least 24 hours ahead. Limited to 50 visitors/week. Visitors get a sticker and 10% off concessions. |
| Albuquerque International Sunport, NM (ABQ) | Sunport FlySide Pass | Daily, roughly 4am–10pm, subject to checkpoint hours. Apply up to 7 days ahead; same-day requests allowed. On-site application kiosk available. |
| Flint Bishop International Airport, MI (FNT) | FNT Visitor Pass | Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Digital pass only. Meet arrivals, see someone off, dine/shop or plane-watch. |
| Capital Region International Airport, Lansing, MI (LAN) | LAN Visitor Pass | Advance applications requested 24 hours ahead, but same-day applications may be possible. Intended for meeting travelers, dining, shopping and airport events. |
| Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, OH (CLE) | Hopkins Hangout Pass | 7am–10pm; up to 100 visitors/day. Apply 1–7 days ahead; no same-day applications. Visits can last up to 6 hours. |
| Columbia Metropolitan Airport, SC (CAE) | Experience CAE Guest Pass | Daily, 4am–7pm; 25 guests/day. Apply same day or up to 14 days ahead. |
| Detroit Metropolitan Airport, MI (DTW) | DTW Destination Pass | 4am–9pm daily. One of the easiest programs: visitors can apply at airport kiosks in the McNamara and Evans terminals and Westin lobby. |
| Eastern Iowa Airport, Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) | CID Visitor Pass | Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Same-day decisions generally within 15 minutes. Entry through 9pm; same-day re-entry allowed after screening again. |
| Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell, MT (FCA) | GPIA Visitor Pass | Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Checkpoint operates around departing flights, making it less useful for some late arrivals. |
| Kansas City International Airport, MO (MCI) | MCI Guest Pass | Apply 1–7 days ahead. Meet travelers, plane-watch, view airport art or even practice navigating the airport before a future trip. |
| Lafayette Regional Airport, LA (LFT) | LFT Visitor’s Pass | Only 10 passes/day. Apply at least 48 hours ahead on weekdays or 72 hours for weekends. Physical pass must be picked up and returned. |
| Missoula Montana Airport, MT (MSO) | Explore MSO Pass | Apply by 8pm the day before; no same-day requests. Visitors can meet arrivals, accompany departures, shop/dine and attend airport events. |
| Nashville International Airport, TN (BNA) | BNA PASSport | Free; limited to 75 passes/day. Meet travelers, shop/dine, plane-watch and view airport art. |
| Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, LA (MSY) | Indulge MSY Guest Pass | Daily, 3:30am–8pm. Apply online or at a baggage-claim kiosk. Same-day re-entry allowed after going through security again. |
| Northwest Arkansas National Airport, AR (XNA) | XNA Guest Pass | Obtain a pass from an airport lobby kiosk. One pass per person per 24 hours. Children age 2+ need a pass. |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, CA (OAK) | OAK Guest Pass | Launched December 2025. Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Same-day approvals typically take about 15 minutes. |
| Ontario International Airport, CA (ONT) | ONT+ Visitor Pass | Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Access available in both Terminal 2 and Terminal 4. |
| John Wayne Airport, Orange County, CA (SNA) | OC AirPASS | Meet arrivals, accompany departures, shop, dine, see art or watch aircraft. Physical, unexpired REAL ID-compliant ID required. |
| Orlando International Airport, FL (MCO) | Experience MCO Visitor Pass | Covers Terminals A, B and C. Apply up to 7 days ahead. Entry 10am–4pm; visitors must exit by 8pm. No re-entry. |
| Palm Springs International Airport, CA (PSP) | Stay & Play Visitor Pass | Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Outdoor post-security patios make this an unusually good airport for plane spotting. Same-day re-entry allowed. |
| Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL) | Wingmate Pass | Apply 1–7 days ahead; no same-day applications. Limited to 100 visitors/day; visits up to 6 hours. Can meet domestic arrivals at the gate or visit someone during a layover. |
| San Antonio International Airport, TX (SAT) | SAT Pass | Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Same-day approvals can arrive in about 15 minutes. Terminal A access 3:30am–10pm; Terminal B 3:30am–8pm. |
| San Diego International Airport, CA (SAN) | SAN Pass | Access to Terminals 1 and 2. Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Security entry 4am–9pm. |
| San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO) | SFO Gate Explorer | Launched April 2026. Apply same day or as far as 30 days ahead. Meet eligible arrivals at their gates, explore SFO Museum exhibits, dine and shop. |
| Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, WA (SEA) | SEA Visitor Pass | Established program allowing non-flyers post-security to meet friends/family, dine and shop. Personal use only. |
| Shreveport Regional Airport, LA (SHV) | SHVip Visitor Pass | Airport describes SHVip as a permanent TSA-vetted program, but the current page has featured specific-event information. Verify availability before visiting. |
| Tampa International Airport, FL (TPA) | TPA All Access | Daily; pass pickup 9am–7pm. Choose one of TPA’s four Airsides. Entry capacity is limited by Airside and time block. |
| Tri-Cities Airport, Pasco, WA (PSC) | PSC Pass | Only 10 visitors/day. Apply by 7pm the previous day. Available whenever the TSA checkpoint is open. |
| Tulsa International Airport, OK (TUL) | TUL Visitor Pass | Apply same day or up to 7 days ahead. Families allowed; one approved adult can escort up to five minors. |
These programs are great if you want to surprise someone at the gate, I’m not sure how much fun it is to visit many of these airports just for the day. The only exception, from the airports I’ve personally visited, would be Nashville.
There’s always fantastic live music all over the airport, so it wouldn’t be a bad way to spend a couple hours!
Hi Jim!
Love the information about the Airport guest passes, how did you find this out?
Thanks for sharing, I’ll be using this for sure.
I spend a lot of time on the internet so I probably found it in my meandering travels. 🙂