Ruth Haines
In most cases, you cannot join someone at their arrival gate, especially for international flights due to customs and immigration regulations. However, some airports and airlines may issue escort or gate passes for specific circumstances, such as accompanying minors, elderly, or individuals with disabilities. These passes allow non-travellers to access restricted areas and provide assistance. Additionally, a few airports have implemented programs that allow non-ticketed visitors to access certain areas beyond security, but these often require advance applications and have limitations. Meeting someone curbside or at baggage claim is typically permissible and does not usually require special arrangements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can get an escort pass? | Family members or friends accompanying minor children, relatives or friends with disabilities or mobility issues, or those who need assistance clearing customs. |
| How to get an escort pass? | Go to the check-in counter with your relative or friend and request a pass. Present a government-issued photo ID. |
| Where to get an escort pass? | Escort passes are issued by airline check-in agents or at the front desk. |
| When to get an escort pass? | It is recommended to call ahead to inquire about escort pass requirements, as issuance may vary by airline and airport. Passes may be obtained on the day of travel or in advance. |
| Any limitations to an escort pass? | Escort passes are generally not issued for international arrivals due to customs and immigration regulations. Pass holders must comply with airport security measures and regulations. |
| Alternatives to an escort pass? | Some airports offer special pass programs for non-ticketed visitors to access certain areas beyond security. These passes may be subject to availability, valid only during specific time slots, and may require digital copies and advance applications. |
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What You'll Learn
- Escort passes are available for minors, people with disabilities, or those with mobility issues
- Gate passes allow non-travellers to enter the airport beyond security
- Non-travellers can apply for passes at certain US airports
- International arrivals must clear customs before being met
- Passes are not issued for people meeting passengers on international flights in the US
Escort passes are available for minors, people with disabilities, or those with mobility issues
If you are seeing someone off at the airport, you may be able to accompany them beyond security and all the way to their departure gate. This is especially true if your loved one or friend is a minor, elderly, or has a disability. Escort passes, also known as gate passes, allow non-travellers to enter secure areas of the airport and accompany their loved ones to their departure gate. They are also useful for meeting minors or people with disabilities at arrival gates.
Escort passes are issued by the airline, so you should contact them directly to request one. You can also enquire at the ticket counter in person. Some airlines, such as Delta, require parents or guardians to assist their unaccompanied minors to the departure gate and remain until the flight has taken off. In this case, a gate pass will be provided. It is important to note that you will need to present a government-issued photo ID to obtain an escort pass, and you must comply with the same regulations as a regular passenger. This includes arriving at the airport early enough to clear security, which can take up to two hours.
If you are meeting someone at the airport and are unable to obtain an escort pass, you can still wait for them as close to the arrival gate as possible. If your loved one does not arrive within a reasonable amount of time, or if you notice other passengers from the same flight, you should contact the airline and airport police.
Escort passes are a great option for providing extra assistance to those who may need it, ensuring they are not left alone at any point during their journey. Whether it's a minor child travelling alone or an elderly relative with mobility issues, an escort pass can give you peace of mind and make their travel experience smoother.
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Gate passes allow non-travellers to enter the airport beyond security
Since the introduction of increased security measures following 9/11, non-ticketed passengers have generally not been allowed past security. However, some US airports have introduced gate pass programmes that allow non-travellers to enter the airport beyond security. These programmes aim to accommodate those who wish to spend more time with their friends and family, as well as boost revenue by encouraging more people to shop and dine at the airport.
To obtain a gate pass, individuals typically need to apply in advance, usually up to seven days ahead of their visit. Applications can often be completed online or in person at the airport. Some programmes offer same-day applications, while others require a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. Upon arrival at the airport, non-travellers must present their pass, valid identification, and undergo standard security screening procedures.
The specific details of each programme vary across airports. For example, the DTW Destination Pass programme at Detroit Metropolitan Airport allows visitors to access both the McNamara and Evans terminals between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. The MSY Guest Pass programme at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has a daily limit of 50 visitors on weekdays and 100 on weekends, with passes issued from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The ExperienceMCO Visitor Pass Program at Orlando International Airport allows non-ticketed visitors to explore Terminal C, with entry permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and a maximum stay of six hours.
It is important to note that escort passes are different from general gate passes. Escort passes are typically issued to individuals accompanying minor children or persons with disabilities to departure gates. These passes allow the holder to go through security and accompany the traveller to the gate. However, escort passes are generally not provided for international arrivals due to customs and immigration regulations.
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Non-travellers can apply for passes at certain US airports
In the US, non-travellers can apply for passes to enter certain airports beyond security. These passes are often called "escort passes", "gate passes", or "visitor passes". While most US airports no longer allow non-travellers to enter beyond security, some airports have introduced pass programmes to allow non-travellers to access certain areas.
One example is the San Antonio International Airport, which launched the SAT Pass Program in February 2025. This programme allows non-ticketed individuals to "spend more time with their friends and family or shop and dine at the airport." Applications for the SAT Pass are typically completed up to seven days in advance, and successful applicants must present their ID and pass through regular Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures upon arrival at the airport.
Another example is the PHL Wingmate Pass programme at the Philadelphia International Airport, which allows up to 100 non-ticketed visitors per day to travel with loved ones to their gate or greet them upon arrival. Applications for this pass can be submitted up to seven days in advance, and visitors must choose a terminal and a security time slot. After passing through security, the visit is limited to six hours.
Similarly, the Orlando International Airport offers the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program, which enables non-ticketed visitors to explore Terminal C. The SEA Visitor Pass Program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport provides 300 passes each day, with visitors able to re-enter and exit the airport as often as needed but with the requirement to go through security each time.
It is important to note that these pass programmes have specific requirements and limitations. For example, non-ticketed visitors may not be permitted to bring hand-carried luggage, and they must comply with standard security measures and regulations. Additionally, passes are generally not issued for meeting passengers arriving on international flights due to customs and immigration regulations.
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International arrivals must clear customs before being met
International arrivals must clear customs before their friends or family can meet them at the airport. This is due to customs and immigration regulations. In the US, for example, all international flights arrive at the International Arrivals Facility (IAF) where all connecting and non-connecting passengers must process through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before entering the country. This includes claiming all checked luggage, an inspection/interview by CBP officers, and then either exiting to the city or transferring to connecting flights.
If you are meeting someone at the airport, you can arrange for an escort pass, which allows you to go through airport security screening and accompany your loved one or friend to the departure gate. Escort passes are usually issued to those with minor children or those assisting people with disabilities. However, escort passes are not issued for people meeting passengers on incoming international flights in the US, due to customs and immigration regulations.
If you are picking someone up from an international flight, you will need to go through the airport security checkpoint and wait at the arrival gate. You will not be able to enter the Customs and Immigration hall. If your loved one needs assistance clearing customs, you can arrange for a wheelchair attendant to meet them at the arrival gate. Alternatively, you can station yourself as close as possible to the arrival gate and wait.
It is important to note that if you obtain an escort pass, you will also need to meet the same standards as a travelling passenger. This includes having proper ID, undergoing security screening, and complying with the same regulations regarding banned items and liquids, gels, and aerosols.
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Passes are not issued for people meeting passengers on international flights in the US
If you are meeting someone at the airport, you may be able to obtain an escort pass, which will allow you to go through airport security screening and accompany your loved one or friend to the departure gate. Escort passes are particularly useful if your relative or friend requires assistance navigating the airport due to age-related or other disabilities. To obtain an escort pass, you can go with your relative or friend to the check-in counter and present a government-issued photo ID.
However, it is important to note that escort passes are not issued for people meeting passengers on international flights arriving in the US. This is due to customs and immigration regulations. If you are picking up a passenger who is arriving from another country, you will not be able to enter the Customs and Immigration hall and will need to wait outside the secure area, as close as possible to the arrival gate.
While escort passes are typically used for minors, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities, they can also be obtained for other passengers who may require assistance. For example, if the passenger does not speak the local language, you may be able to obtain a gate pass to accompany them to the gate. In this case, it is recommended to contact the airline directly to inquire about the possibility of obtaining a pass and to provide any necessary assistance.
It is worth noting that obtaining an escort pass is not always guaranteed, and it is suggested to plan ahead in case a pass cannot be obtained. If your loved one or friend requires wheelchair assistance, it is advised to contact the airline at least 48 hours in advance to arrange for a wheelchair attendant to meet them at the arrival gate. Additionally, if the person you are meeting does not arrive within a reasonable amount of time, you should contact the airline and airport police, especially if you notice the arrival of other passengers from the same flight.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airport and the airline. Some airports and airlines will issue escort or gate passes that allow you to join someone at the departure gate. However, this is usually only done in certain circumstances, such as when the traveller is a minor or has a disability.
To get an escort or gate pass, you'll need to contact the airline or go to the check-in counter with your relative or friend. You'll also need to present a valid reason for wanting to join your companion at the gate and provide a government-issued photo ID.
Yes, there are a handful of airports, mostly in the US, that allow non-ticketed visitors to go beyond security without a pass. These include San Antonio International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
No, escort passes are generally not issued for people meeting passengers on incoming international flights due to customs and immigration regulations. You will need to wait for your companion to clear customs and immigration before you can meet them.
If you can't get an escort or gate pass, you can still meet your companion at the airport by stationing yourself as close as possible to the arrival gate. You can also contact the airline and airport police if they do not arrive within a reasonable amount of time.
