Which airports will welcome you into the terminal without a plane ticket?

In what we now often refer to as “the good old days of air travel,” it was common for friends and family members to be waiting at the gate when you stepped off the plane to give you a big hug.

It was also normal for them to go with you to the airport, hang out for a meal or snack in the terminal and then wave goodbye as you headed down the jetway for your flight.

Now, of course, all the emotional business must take place curbside or at the entrance to the security checkpoint lane ... or does it?

In a trend that warms our hearts, more than a dozen U.S. airports are now offering programs that invite nonticketed guests to apply for free passes that grant permission to go through airport security and spend time in the terminal. They can shop, dine, view art exhibits, listen to live music, watch planes come and go, and, yes, spend more time with loved ones.

These programs are great for friends and family. Not to mention, the open-arms policy also benefits postsecurity airport shops and restaurants.

How airport gate pass programs work

At airports offering gate pass programs (listed below), nonticketed guests must either sign up online ahead of time — usually between 24 hours and seven days prior to their planned visit — or, in some cases, at a kiosk in the terminal on the day they hope to visit.

The steps for applying for a pass can vary by airport, but all programs will ask you to provide your full name and the date you’d like to visit. Some airports take it from there and have the Transportation Security Administration run your information through the system. Others ask you to scan a passport or Real ID. Depending on the airport, the application approval window can range from right away (at airports with on-site kiosks) to just after midnight on the day you requested a visit.

If a pass is approved, you’ll need to show that digital code with your ID and go through security screening along with ticketed passengers. TSA PreCheck and other expedited security lane status won’t be honored, and, in some cases, passholders will be required to go through a specific checkpoint. The number of hours you are allowed to stay in the terminal — and what you carry with you — may also be limited, so be sure to read all the instructions.

US airports with gate pass programs (as of November 2025)

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

As of last month, Tampa International Airport has rebooted its TPA All Access Pass, which had been on pause since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Each of TPA’s four airside concourses (A, C, E and F) has separate security checkpoints, so when applying for a day pass, applicants must choose one airside to visit. Entry slots have two-hour windows, but once you get past security, you may stay as long as you like.

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

San Diego International Airport, which recently opened a swanky, new Terminal 1, expanded its visitor pass program in November. Previously, visitors could only apply for a SAN Pass to enter Terminal 2, but now, the program covers both Terminals 1 and 2.

Again, because each terminal has a separate security checkpoint, SAN Pass applicants must indicate on their application form which terminal they want to visit.

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in New Mexico

Albuquerque International Sunport rolled out its ABQ FlySide Pass just as the Thanksgiving 2025 travel weekend got underway.

Passes are available seven days a week from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. and can be applied for up to seven days in advance.

“Our airport isn’t just about departures and arrivals. It’s about the experience,” ABQ's Aviation Acting Director Manny Manriquez said. “The FlySide Pass invites the community to the Sunport, whether you’re joining family for a flight, enjoying a date night or simply watching planes take off and land on our airfield.”

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport offers the Hopkins Hangout Pass.

Applications are accepted online as early as seven days but no later than one day before your proposed visit date, and the airport's limit is 100 visitors per day.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri

Kansas City International Airport, which opened its new must-see terminal in 2023, rolled out its Guest Pass Program in July 2025.

You may apply online one to seven days prior to your proposed visit or on the same day as your visit (if spots are available). Stays longer than six hours are not permitted.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

The Indulge MSY Guest Pass began as the MSY Guest Pass program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport back in 2019, shortly after the airport moved into its new terminal.

Applications for gate passes are accepted online ahead of a planned visit; for a day-of visit, applications are accepted at a kiosk on Level 1 near baggage claim between doors 2 and 3. Passholders have access to the secure side of the airport between 3:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

The Wingmate Pass at Philadelphia International Airport limits guest passes to 100 visitors a day.

You can apply up to seven days in advance but must do so at least 24 hours before a planned visit. Visitors are allowed in the secure area between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m., with a six-hour limit for each stay.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the SEA Visitor Pass Program is limited to 300 guests per day.

Apply online on the day of your visit or up to seven days in advance. Pass users must enter through TSA Checkpoint 4 and are allowed in the terminal between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. The last entry time is 9 p.m.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Nonticketed guests may apply for a same-day DTW Destination Pass at kiosks on the departure levels of both the McNamara and Evans terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. They may use passes from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Nashville International Airport has multiple live music stages and a liquor policy that permits customers to take their purchased drinks to the gates and other spots in the terminal.

The airport rolled out its BNA Passport in July 2024 and issues 75 guest passes each day to guests who apply online.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in California

Palm Springs International Airport offers a Stay & Play Visitor Pass that you can apply for up to seven days prior to your planned visit. As with other gate pass programs, if you can’t select a specific date for your visit, it means all passes for that day have already been allotted.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

You can apply online for a SAT Pass to visit San Antonio International Airport up to seven days in advance. The airport also accepts applications for same-day visits if the daily quota for passes has not yet been met.

Tulsa International Airport (TUL) in Oklahoma

The TUL Visitor Pass Program at Tulsa International Airport accepts applications up to seven days before a planned visit. Both digital and printed passes are honored at the checkpoint at or after the approved start time and up to 9 p.m.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California

John Wayne Airport in Orange County welcomes nonticketed guests with its OC AirPass. From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can apply for a same-day pass at the information booths in Terminals A, B and C on the lower level of the bag claim area.

Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California

Southern California’s Ontario International Airport accepts applications for its ONT+ Visitor Pass Program online the day of your visit and up to seven days in advance. Show your digital pass and ID at the approved terminal (2 or 4).

Capital Regional International Airport (LAN) in Michigan

Capital Regional International Airport in Lansing welcomes 25 visitors through its LAN Visitor Pass on weekdays only. Visits are limited to four hours per day, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Applications must be made at least 24 hours before a visit, and same-day requests are accepted.

Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Washington state

Cozy Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco — which has flights to Seattle and nine other major cities — offers a PSC Pass for up to 10 visitors each day. Those interested must apply online no later than 8:30 p.m. the day before the requested visit date.

Gate pass programs on hold

As of December 2025, the MCO Visitor Pass Program for Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (MCO) is still on hold.

Now that its new landside terminal is open, we expect news soon on when Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will revive the MyPITpass program it debuted in 2017 and put on holding during the pandemic.