Owais Crawford
In the past, it was common for friends and family to accompany travellers to the gate, but this practice has become less common since the introduction of stricter security measures post-9/11. However, a growing number of airports in the U.S. have started allowing non-ticketed visitors to pass through security and access certain terminals. These include airports in California, Florida, New Orleans, Seattle, and Detroit, among others. To access these areas, non-ticketed visitors must apply for a special pass and undergo standard security screening procedures. The passes are often limited and must be applied for in advance, with some airports requiring digital passes and government-issued IDs. These programs aim to facilitate emotional send-offs and greetings at the gate and promote airside shopping and dining opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports with Guest Access in the U.S. | 12 or 17 |
| Airports with Guest Access | Detroit Metro Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Palm Springs International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, Tulsa International Airport |
| Application Process | Online application, in-person application, or email |
| Timeframe for Application | Up to 7 days in advance |
| Requirements | Valid government-issued ID, TSA-approved photo ID, pass accessible digitally |
| Limitations | No hand-carried luggage, limited visitor slots, one visit per month, limited to specific terminals, specific time restrictions |
| Purpose | Greeting loved ones, shopping, dining, plane spotting, people-watching |
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What You'll Learn
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
To apply for access, visitors must fill out an online form up to seven days ahead of time. Applicants that are approved will receive an email with their confirmed status after midnight on the day of their intended visit. Visitors will be notified via email if they have been approved for a pass and will be allowed to enter Terminal C on their designated pass day between 10 am and 4 pm, and they must leave by 8 pm. The airport makes it explicitly clear that visitors must have their pass accessible digitally (printed versions are not allowed), and they cannot bring any hand-carried luggage with them.
Upon arrival at the airport, visitors will need to show a TSA-approved photo ID and go through the regular Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures with ticketed passengers. Visitors are subject to the same security regulations as passengers boarding an aircraft and must comply with TSA's screening procedures, including not bringing items prohibited by TSA and complying with the 3-1-1 Liquids Rules. Trusted traveller programmes like TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and MCO Reserve cannot be used with Experience MCO. Guests will still be required to go through the standard security screening process.
The Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program allows guests to spend more time with friends and family before they depart or greet them when they land. It also makes the bars, restaurants, and retail stores in Terminal C more widely available, including to the non-travelling public.
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Philadelphia International Airport
The Wingmate program allows up to 50 non-ticketed guests per day to pass through security checkpoints. Visitors must apply for the Wingmate pass 1 to 7 days before their visit and present their digital pass and a government-issued photo ID at the security checkpoint. The pass grants access to the airport's 140 restaurants, bars, shops, and award-winning art exhibitions. It also allows people to accompany travellers to their gates and wait for arriving passengers on domestic flights.
The Wingmate pass is part of a trend among US airports to allow non-ticketed visitors to access post-security areas. Other airports with similar programs include Orlando International Airport (MCO), San Antonio International Airport, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. These programs aim to provide more time for friends and family to spend together before departure and enhance the overall airport experience by making dining, retail, and other amenities accessible to the non-flying public.
The specific procedures and requirements for obtaining a guest pass may vary across airports. Some airports, such as Orlando International Airport, offer visitor passes that can be obtained online in advance or on the day of the visit. These passes enable approved visitors to go through TSA security checkpoints and access various airport facilities. It is recommended to check the official websites of the respective airports for detailed information on their guest pass programs and application processes.
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Detroit Metropolitan Airport
In the United States, a handful of airports allow non-ticketed visitors to pass through security and access post-security areas of the terminal. This trend, which was put on hold during the pandemic, has been revived by several airports in the past year.
To obtain a pass, visitors must submit their name, date of birth, and other personal information at least 24 hours before their visit. It is important to note that visitors will still need to undergo regular Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures, including facial recognition scans at some terminals.
Other airports that offer similar programs include Orlando International Airport (MCO), San Antonio International Airport (SAT), and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). These programs allow unticketed guests to access airside amenities, spend more time with travelling companions, and greet arriving passengers.
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San Antonio International Airport
To obtain an SAT Pass, individuals must apply through the San Antonio International Airport website. Applications can be made on the day of the intended visit or up to seven days in advance. The availability of passes is limited to 50 per day, and guests are advised to check the availability for their desired date. When applying, applicants must provide their name exactly as it appears on their driver's licence or passport.
Guests with an SAT Pass can enter from the approved time on their pass and stay until 9 pm. They are subject to the same security regulations and screening procedures as ticketed passengers, including the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) rules and regulations. It is important to note that expedited programmes, such as TSA PreCheck, cannot be used for this purpose.
The San Antonio International Airport recommends that passengers arrive 90 minutes before their scheduled domestic departure and 2 hours prior during peak travel times. The airport also offers self-service kiosks for efficient check-in, and some airlines provide online check-in options with the ability to print boarding passes up to 24 hours beforehand.
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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac Airport, has allowed non-ticketed visitors to access the airport beyond security checkpoints since 2018 through its SEA Visitor Pass program. This was the first airport on the West Coast to launch such a program, followed by Detroit, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and Orlando, Florida.
To enter the airport as a visitor, you must carry a valid TSA-approved photo ID along with a digital or physical copy of the SEA Airport visitor pass. You will go through the TSA Checkpoint 4, which has a designated lane for all Seattle visitor pass holders. Any name mismatch between your ID and the visitor pass will result in denied entry. Additionally, you must scan the QR code received in the confirmation email when entering through Checkpoint 4. The airport recommends that visitors leave by 10 PM.
The SEA Visitor Pass allows you to enter the airport terminal to see friends or family off at the boarding gate, enjoy airport shopping, or spend time in the international terminal. With this pass, you can enter secured areas usually reserved for travellers with international flight tickets. The pass provides access to areas where you can watch planes, view art exhibits, and enjoy the airport's dining and retail offerings.
The SEA Visitor Pass is limited to 300 visitors per day, and you can apply online the day of your visit or up to a week in advance. If your application is rejected, you will receive an email notification from TSA stating your ineligibility for the program.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, 17 airports in the US allow non-ticketed guests past security. These include:
- Detroit Metro Airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Tampa International Airport
- San Antonio International Airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Orlando International Airport
Guest passes can be applied for online, or in person at the airport. Applications must be made in advance, usually up to seven days. You will need to provide a government-issued photo ID, and some airports require you to fill out a survey after your visit.
Guest passes allow non-ticketed guests to go through security and spend time with friends and family before they depart or greet them on arrival. They can also be used to shop and dine at the airport.
Yes, the number of passes available varies by airport and day. For example, the MSY Guest Pass is limited to 50 visitors Monday through Friday and 100 visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, while the SEA Visitor Pass Program offers 300 passes per day.
