Do you miss the days when you could meet a friend or family member at the airport gate or stay with them until it was time for them to board their flight?
Wish you could just go hang out at the airport to shop, dine or watch airplanes (and people) come and go?
Us too!
That’s why the Stuck at the Airport team is a big fan of visitor pass programs at airports.
Our list currently include more than 20 airports in the United States you can visit without a plane ticket (we’ll relist them below).
But as of today, there’s one more: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) just rolled out its new visitor pass program, called SFO Gate Explorer.
To celebrate, we’re nominating the SFO Gate Explorer program for Airport Amenity of the Week.
As with other airport gate pass programs, the SFO Gate Explorer program allows visitors to go beyond security without booking a flight.
Here’s how the SFO Gate Explorer program works:
Go to the SFO Gate Explorer page to fill out an application.
You can apply for a gate pass up to 30 days in advance of the day you’d like to visit. Same-day applications are permitted, but be aware that SFO will issue just 200 Gate Explorer passes a day. So if the program becomes popular, you may be shut out.
To get a pass, you’ll need to enter your first and last name, date of birth, gender and e-mail address. TSA will vet your information and, if approved, you’ll get an email with your pass after 12:00 midnight on the day you want to visit.
When you go to the airport, you’ll show that pass in digital or paper format, along with your REAL ID or passport at any the standard (non-TSA PreCheck or Clear) security lane at any checkpoint.
All SFO terminals are accessible once you pass through security, so it doesn’t matter which checkpoint you choose.
Here are the other airports around the country that offer visitor pass programs (as of April 2026).
(Let us know if we’ve missed any)
Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) in Ohio offers the CAK Guest Pass Program. Guests are welcome into the terminal Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm. And as a nice bonus, concessions offers a 10% discount to anyone who shows their pass.
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) gate pass program is called the FlySide Pass. Guests may enter the terminal 7 days a week from 4 am until 10 pm.
Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI has the LAN Visitor Pass, with a limit of 25 visitors per day.
Cleveland Hopkins Interational Airport (CLE) offers the Hopkins Hangout Pass. Pass holders can get discounts a several airports dining venues.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is home to the DTW Destinaton Pass. Guests may use the pass from 4 am until 9 pm 7 days a week in both the McNamara and Evans terminals.
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) offers the MCI Guest Pass Program
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) has the MSY Guest Pass program.
Nashville International Airport (BNA) welcomes guests with its BNA Passport. The aiport limits the number of passed to 75 per day.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) program is called the the Wingmate Pass. Up to 100 passes are avialable each day and discounts may be available at shops and restaurants in the terminals.
At Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the SEA Visitor Pass Program is available to up to 300 guests per day.
The OC AirPass is available at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA.
Oakland San Francisco Bay Area Airport (OAK) now has the OAK Guest Pass Program.
The ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) provides access to a specific passenger terminal starting at a specific time and cannot be used to access another passenger terminal.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has rebooted and expanded its Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program. Once limited to Terminal C, the program now permits guests to apply for a pass to any of the terminals.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) has a Stay and Play Visitor Pass.
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has a SAT Pass for guests.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) offers the SAN Pass for Terminals 1 and 2.
Tampa International Airport and its TPA All Access pass is back on the list.
Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, WA offers the PSC Pass.
Tulsa International Airport (TUL) has the TUL Visitor Pass Program.
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