Reno Airport: A Surprisingly Busy Travel Hub

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is a busy airport with 11 airlines serving it and more than 130 daily flights. The airport has efficient security procedures and is known for its short security wait times, which usually range from 3 to 10 minutes. However, these wait times can vary during holidays and peak travel periods, and passengers are advised to arrive 2 to 3 hours early to account for parking, check-in, and security. The airport offers a range of amenities, including shopping, dining, and a passenger lounge, and parking is in high demand, with overflow parking available.

Security wait times

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is known for its efficient security procedures and short security wait times, which typically range from 3 to 10 minutes. However, these wait times are estimates and can vary, especially during holidays and peak travel periods.

To ensure a smooth journey, passengers are advised to arrive 2 to 3 hours before their scheduled flight departure to account for parking, airline check-in procedures, and security screening. Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays are the busiest days at the airport, with three peak periods each day. The airport provides digital displays at each checkpoint showing real-time wait information. Passengers can also download the My TSA application to check and post airport delays in real-time, confirm what items are allowed through security, and access other helpful tips for travellers.

RNO offers TSA PreCheck lanes at the main checkpoint, where enrolled passengers with a Known Traveler Number can access expedited lanes, reducing their wait time at security checks. The operating hours for TSA PreCheck vary from day to day and depend on operational needs.

To avoid parking issues, travellers are encouraged to consider off-airport parking lots, which offer lower costs, or to use ridesharing services with vouchers available on Uber and Lyft.

TSA PreCheck

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is known for its efficient security procedures and short wait times. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for security screenings at the airport. The TSA has implemented several measures to enhance security and streamline the screening process, including TSA PreCheck.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport offers TSA PreCheck at its main checkpoint. The operating hours for TSA PreCheck at the airport vary, but generally cover peak travel times. For example, on Mondays, TSA PreCheck is typically available from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM. It is important to note that the hours may be adjusted based on operational needs.

Passengers interested in enrolling in TSA PreCheck can do so at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport in the ticketing area or at the enrollment center located at 10350 N McCarran Boulevard. An in-person visit is required to complete the enrollment process. TSA PreCheck provides travellers with an efficient and convenient security screening experience, particularly during busy periods at the airport.

Parking availability

Parking is in high demand at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and when on-site lots fill up, overflow parking options are available. The airport does not take parking reservations. However, you can check real-time parking availability on the airport's website, which provides live updates of available parking, waiting lots, and types of parking available. The availability is indicated using a colour-coded system, with green indicating plenty of spots, yellow indicating limited spots, and red indicating few or no spots.

Motorcycles and mopeds can park for free on the first floor of the short-term parking garage in designated motorcycle parking areas. If a motorcyclist chooses to park in a regular parking spot, they will be subject to parking rates. Level I chargers are available on a first-come, first-served basis and provide a slower, household-style charge.

Passengers are advised to arrive 2 to 3 hours before their flight's departure time to account for parking, check-in, and security. A low-cost alternative to parking within the airport facility is to use an off-site parking lot, which offers lower costs despite being a bit further away from the terminals.

Peak times

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is known for its efficient security procedures and short security wait times, which typically range from 3 to 10 minutes. However, these wait times can increase during peak travel periods, holidays, and busy days, such as Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays. To ensure a smooth journey, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before their scheduled flight departure to account for parking, check-in, and security screening.

During peak times, the airport experiences a deluge of passengers, with long lines and security delays becoming the new normal. The airport has implemented various measures to address this issue, including providing real-time wait information through digital displays at each checkpoint and offering rideshare vouchers for Uber and Lyft to encourage passengers to opt for alternative transportation to the airport.

The airport has also explored other options, such as re-scheduling charter flights during less busy times and expediting specific areas of their master plan to meet the most pressing needs. They are also looking to fill 10 positions in Reno to assist with the long lines, offering a $500 bonus upon hiring and an additional $500 after one year of service, with a starting pay of $16.51.

To further streamline the security screening process, Reno-Tahoe International Airport offers TSA PreCheck lanes at the main checkpoint, allowing enrolled passengers with a Known Traveler Number to access expedited lanes and reducing their wait time. Additionally, passengers can utilize the My TSA application to check and post airport delays, confirm allowable items, and access other helpful tips for navigating the airport during peak times.

Passenger growth

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) has seen significant passenger growth in recent years, rebounding from the impacts of the Great Recession and the pandemic. In 2016, the airport achieved its first yearly passenger growth in a decade, setting new records for the number of routes and cargo handled.

However, the pandemic in 2020 caused a sharp decline, with passenger counts crashing by over 95% in April 2020, resulting in a daily average of just 575 passengers, a stark contrast to the previous year's average of 17,265.

The airport has since experienced a strong recovery, with passenger numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels. By June 2021, the airport was outpacing the numbers from June 2019, indicating a notable rebound in air travel demand.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport currently serves 11 airlines and offers more than 130 daily flights, providing connections to destinations worldwide. The airport has also expanded its routes, including new nonstop options to iconic cities like Chicago.

To accommodate the growing passenger numbers, the airport has implemented several measures. They encourage passengers to arrive 2 to 3 hours early due to high parking demand and have introduced rideshare vouchers to promote the use of Uber and Lyft. Additionally, they have a master plan that includes a new concourse and expanded ticketing lobbies to enhance the passenger experience.

The airport is also renowned for its efficient security procedures, with short security wait times ranging from 3 to 10 minutes on average. TSA PreCheck and digital displays at checkpoints further contribute to a streamlined experience. However, passengers are still advised to arrive well in advance to account for potential variations in wait times during holidays and peak travel periods.

Frequently asked questions