Six airports in the United States — in cooperation with the Transportation Security Administration — implemented programs which allow the public and visitors to access shops and restaurants beyond the security checkpoint of the terminal without requiring the purchase of an airline ticket at the time this article was written.
List of Airports Open to Public Access September 2021 in the United States
Public access to an airport allows visitors to take advantage of what the airport has to offer without traveling — including but not limited to:
- Spending more time at the gate or a restaurant with family or friends who are traveling
- Surprising a family member or a friend at a gate upon arrival
- Participation in events
- Dining on an amazing meal at one of the restaurants at the airport
- Shopping at the many boutiques and stores
- Attending a live music performance
- Simply watching different types of airplanes depart and land
Each airport has a program which has its own rules and restrictions; so before you arrive at the airport, ensure that you know exactly what are the rules and restrictions. Be sure to allow enough time to get your access pass and get through the lines at the airport security checkpoint. Also, know what is the daily quota — if one exists — with each program.
To maintain airport security, regulations of the Transportation Security Administration prohibit airport personnel from verifying visitor entrance greater than 24 hours in advance. A new request will need to be completed for every visit on a different date.
As a visitor, you will be subject to the same security regulations as passengers boarding an aircraft and must comply with the screening procedures of the Transportation Security Administration, do not bring items which are prohibited by the Transportation Security Administration; and review the 3-1-1 Liquids Rules. Participants will be directed to use the general boarding lanes of the airport security checkpoint.
All passes and access are approved for personal use only, as commercial use or professional use is expressly forbidden and will result in revocation of your program access. Participation in each program is contingent upon approval through approved security protocols. Passes cannot be used with expedited screening and trusted traveler programs — such as CLEAR or TSA Pre✓ as two of several examples.
Each program can be ended at any time as required by the Transportation Security Administration.
Keep in mind that all parking fees are the responsibility of the visitor.
Airports are listed in alphabetical order in terms of city.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
The DTW Destination Pass program is permanently in place to allow visitors access to the secure side of the airport at both the McNamara Terminal and North Terminal between the hours of 8:00 in the morning and 8:00 in the evening Eastern Time. The last DTW Destination Pass will be issued at 7:30 in the evening.
Limit: 75 visitors per day. Because access is first come, first serve, registering early the day before you want to arrive may help ensure that you are approved for access. The application will display a notification if the quota has been met for the day. You will be able to try again another day by using the same application process the day before you want to enter.
Visitors participating in the DTW Destination Pass program can only meet passengers arriving on domestic flights or reconnecting on another flight. Ticketed passengers will be given first priority to board their flights. Those receiving the DTW Destination Pass may be asked to wait to enter the checkpoint. The issuance of passes may be suspended during peak travel times or under special circumstances. Passes are NOT guaranteed.
Each eligible adult may sponsor up to four additional family members or guests. Minors who are younger than the age of 18 must be accompanied by the sponsoring adult. Visitors who are 18 years of age or older who have a valid photographic identification must complete registration online and bring the same photographic identification that was used for registration.
- Apply for the pass — The day before you want to visit, complete the registration form between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Type in your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport or driver’s license), your date of birth, and complete any other required fields.
- Check your email — You will receive an email confirmation once you have registered. The morning of your planned visit, you will receive an email notifying you of your application status and providing detailed instructions. Please make sure you check your junk email.
- Come to the airport — Once approved, arrive at DTW and give yourself enough time to park, pick up your DTW Destination Pass, and submit to passenger screening. Bring the same photo ID (Passport or Driver’s License) that you used to register. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by the sponsoring adult.
- Pick up your DTW Destination Pass — Follow the instructions on your approval email to pick up your DTW Destination Pass at the McNamara Terminal. Report to the designated TSA passenger screening checkpoint with your approved DTW Destination Pass and identification.
- Tell Us what you think — Watch your email for a link to an online survey.
We recommend that you depart the terminal by 10 p.m. as airport services are limited after that time.
Flint Bishop International Airport
The Flint Visitor Pass program is permanently in place to allow visitors access to the secure side of the airport between the hours of 8:00 in the morning and 6:00 in the evening Eastern Time Monday through Friday. Participants are limited to only one visit per month. The last Flint Visitor Pass will be issued at 5:30 in the afternoon.
The FNT Visitor Pass Program is available on airside, beyond security during flights times.
- Apply for the pass — The day before you want to visit, complete the registration form. Type in your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport or U.S. driver’s license), your date of birth, and complete any other required fields.
- Check your email — You will receive an email confirmation once you have registered (online). The morning of your planned visit, you will receive an email notifying you of your application status and providing detailed instructions. Please make sure you check your junk email.
- Come to the airport — Once approved, arrive at Flint Bishop Airport and give yourself enough time to park, pick up your FNT Visitor Pass, and submit to passenger screening. Bring the same photo ID (Passport or Driver’s License) that you used to register. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by the sponsoring adult.
- Pick up your FNT Visitor Pass — Follow the instructions on your approval email to pick up your FNT Visitor Pass at the Airport Police Office. Report to the TSA passenger screening checkpoint with your approved FNT Visitor Pass and identification.
Individuals needing a Pass to access the secure side with traveling children, elderly or any individual needing wheelchair assistance, active military leaving for or arriving from deployment, must obtain a pass from the airline.
New Orleans International Airport
The MSY Guest Pass program is permanently in place to allow visitors access to the secure side of the airport between the hours of 11:00 in the morning and 8:00 in the evening Central Time seven days per week. Participants are limited to only one visit per month. The last MSY Guest Pass will be issued at 7:30 in the evening.
Limit: 50 visitors per day Monday through Friday; and 100 visitors per day Saturday and Sunday.
Anyone 13 years or older will need a Guest Pass. All individuals 12 years and under will not need a Guest Pass if accompanied by an adult with a Guest Pass.
Participants must provide their full name as it appears on their ID (Government Issued Photo ID), their date of birth, gender and contact information.
All participants must be pre-registered and “walk-ups” are not permitted.
On the day of your reservation, report to the Customer Service Desk on Level 1 of the Main Terminal between Doors 2 and 3.
Customer Service Staff will inspect your ID and validate that they have pre-registered.
After check-in, participants will then proceed to the TSA Checkpoint on Level 2 for screening.
Pittsburgh International Airport
This program has been temporarily suspended.
The myPITpass program is permanently in place to allow visitors access to the secure side of the airport between the hours of 9:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the evening Eastern Time seven days per week. Participants are limited to only one visit per month. The last myPITpass will be issued at 4:30 p.m.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
The SEA Visitor Pass program is permanently in place to allow visitors access to the secure side of the airport between the hours of 8:00 in the morning and 9:00 in the evening Pacific Time seven days per week. The last EA Visitor Pass will be issued at 9:00 in the evening.
Limit: 100 visitors per day. Passes are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. You can see a countdown of the number of passes remaining on the application page. If you cannot select a date on the online form, that means the visitor slots are full for that day.
- Apply Online — You can apply the day of your visit or up to seven days in advance. Check that your information is accurate and provide your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport or driver’s license), date of birth, and your sex. You’ll receive a confirmation email verifying that your request has been received!
- Get Approval — Your application will be reviewed and approved by the Transportation Security Administration. If you are applying:
- In advance: You will receive an e-mail message with your approval status after midnight on the day of your visit.
- For same day entrance: You will receive an e-mail message with your approval status within 15 minutes.
- Show off your SEA Visitor Pass — If approved for entry, you’ll receive an email with a QR code to scan upon entry at TSA Checkpoint 3. Make sure you have it on hand (either print or digital) along with your TSA-approved ID when you go for screening, make sure to tell the TSA Officer that you have a SEA Visitor Pass. Each person using SEA Visitor Pass must display their individual QR code and ID at security, those without the approval email will be denied entry.
SEA recommends that you depart by 10:00 p.m.
Tampa International Airport
This program has been temporarily suspended.
The TPA All Access program is permanently in place to allow visitors access to the secure side of the airport between the hours of 8:00 in the morning and 8:00 in the evening Eastern Time seven days per week. The last TPA All Access pass will be issued at 7:30 p.m.
Final Boarding Call
I have long stated that I believe that a number of security measures which were implemented at airports across the country after the events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 occurred are superfluous at best and give the arguably false impression that airports are much safer than before that infamous day.
Programs such as the aforementioned ones allow airports to be more accessible. Although I am all for programs of this type — which would allow merchants at businesses within the airport to potentially increase profits while people can spend more time with loved ones at the gate or elsewhere in the secure areas of the airport — problems can possibly occur: on certain days such as holidays, where do people who are not traveling on that day park their vehicles when parking facilities are already full with no empty parking spaces; and will the airports themselves become significantly more crowded? Could shops, lounges, gates, and airports in general become significantly more crowded if visitors are allowed to access secure areas of the airport?
Regardless, I am glad to see these programs being introduced — even if only at six airport, with two temporarily closed — and I hope that they will be considered at additional airports across the United States.
Photograph ©2018 by Brian Cohen.
You don’t have to have superpowers to get past the security checkpoint at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) without an airline ticket.
That’s because, starting August 11, 2025, CLE is launching a guest pass program called The Hopkins Hangout Pass.
The program allows non-ticketed guests to apply for a pass that will give them access to the secure side of the airport to greet an arriving traveler, spend more time with a friend or family member before a flight or just hang out at the airport to shop, dine or watch planes take off and land.
Guests must submit their request at least 24 hours in advance, but not more than a week in advance and can begin applying for passes on August 6th. Here’s the Hopkins Hangout Pass portal.
Passes will be limited to 100 per day, and guests will only be allowed past security from 7 am until 10 pm.
WHAT OTHER AIRPORTS OFFER GATE PASSES TO NON-TICKETED GUESTS?
CLE joins a growing list of airports that offer gate passes to non-ticketed guests. The list includes:
The Wingmate Pass at Philadelphia International Airport. Limited to 100 visitors a day.
Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SEA Visitor Pass Program. Limited to 300 guests per day.
The MSY Guest Pass Program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
DTW Destinaton Pass at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
BNA Passport at Nashville International Airport (BNA). Limit of 75 visitors per day.
Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI: the LAN Visitor Pass. Limited to 25 visitors per day.
OC AirPass at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA,
ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) recently rolled out its MCI Guest Pass Program
Palm Springs International Airport has a Stay and Play Visitor Pass
At Orlando International Airport (MCO), the MCO Visitor Pass Program for Terminal C is on hold as of July, 2025.
And we hope that Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), the first airport to offer a gate pass program for non-ticketed passengers, will revive its MyPITPass program when the new landside terminal opens, sometime this fall.
Have we missed any airport gate programs? Let us know!
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
You can apply for the SAT Pass Program day of or up to seven days in advance. The Texas airport notes that the space is “limited,” and once the visitor slots are full for a certain day, you won’t be able to complete an application. You’ll receive the SAT Pass via email, and it’s valid from your approved start time until 9 p.m. that night.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Launched in late 2023, PHL Wingmate Pass is a free program that allows non-ticketed visitors (up to 100 visitors a day) to travel with loved ones to their gate or greet them upon arrival. Applications can only be submitted up to seven days ahead of the date you’re applying for, and you’ll need to choose a terminal and a security time slot. After you’re through security, your visit is limited to six hours.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Through the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program, non-ticketed visitors can explore Terminal C at Orlando International Airport. The Florida airport makes it explicitly clear that you must have your pass accessible digitally (printed versions are not allowed), and you can’t bring any hand-carried luggage with you. Note that you cannot use the pass to meet anyone flying in from an international destination at the gate, as they’ll need to clear customs first.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The SEA Visitor Pass Program started in 2018. There are 300 passes available each day, and visitors must enter at Checkpoint 3 between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. (The airport recommends leaving by 10 p.m.) You can re-enter and exit the airport as often as you’d like, but you have to go back through security each time.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
To receive an MSY Guest Pass, you need to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. While the program is available seven days a week, only 50 passes are available Monday through Friday; that number increases to 100 visitors per day on the weekends. Before heading to the security checkpoint, check in at the Customer Service Desk on Level 1 of the main terminal.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is one of the few airports where you’ll apply for a pass in person. To enroll in the DTW Destination Pass program, you’ll use the kiosks found on the Departures Level in the McNamara and Evans terminals; your pass can then be used that same day from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
Anyone interested in using the Tulsa International Airport (TUL) Visitor Passto enter the terminal without a ticket can apply online for the same day or up to seven days in advance. Similar to other pass programs, non-ticketed visitors at the Oklahoma airport cannot bring any hand-carried language with them, and entry will only be granted at the approved start time and for the approved terminal.
Capital Region International Airport (LAN)
Per the LAN Visitor Pass Program, up to 25 non-ticketed visitors per day are welcomed into Capital Region International Airport in Lansing, Michigan. After successfully applying for one of the first-come, first-served passes, you can enter the post-security areas of the terminal for up to four hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (or until the TSA checkpoint closes).
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
You’ll need an OC AirPASS to enter SNA in Orange County, California. Head to the Information Booth in terminal A, B, or C, with a valid government-issued ID in hand. From there, an online security system quickly verifies applicants, and you’ll receive a printed pass. Make sure to keep the pass with you at all times, even after you get through the TSA checkpoint.
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Before submitting your ONT+ Visitor Pass Program application, check which terminal you want to access and at what time. The pass doesn’t give you free rein to explore terminals outside the one you specify when applying. You’ll also need to arrive at the Ontario, California airport with your photo ID and a fully charged phone; non-ticketed visitors are required to show their digital passes, and printed passes are not accepted.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
Once your application for a PSP Stay and Play Pass is approved by the TSA, you’ll receive an email after midnight on the day of your requested visit. Same-day applications are also considered. At the California airport, you’ll enter the TSA checkpoint general screening line. Just be sure to let the officer know you’ll be using a PSP Stay and Play Pass when you hand them your ID (and, yes, you’ll need a REAL ID starting in May 2025).
Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
Only 10 PSC Passes available each day at Blountville, Tennessee’s Tri-Cities Airport—so be sure to sign up in advance. Non-ticketed visitors are only allowed one pass per month, and all applications have to be submitted before 8:30 p.m. the day before the visit. The TSA won’t process same-day requests.
