Airport Gate Pass Programs

Safe travels on Thanksgiving

Holidays, , ,

Thanks to the LaGuardia Airport Terminal B turkey for helping us wish you a happy and safe Thanskgiving holiday.

Be sure to see check in late Thursday for our holiday post about travel deals to lock in for Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Travel Tuesday.

In the meantime, here are a couple of airport tidbits for you:

Santa arrives on Saturday at Indianapolis International Airport

Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is hosting a family friendly event on Saturday, November 29 to welcome Santa during the annual Holly Jolly Jetway event.

SEA Airport celebrates Jett’s birthday on December 4th

Who’s Jett?

Jett (on the left…) is the mascot for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

SEA will celebrate the otter’s birthday on December 4 with balloons, bubbles, cupcakes, cookies, liv music, photo opps and more.

Another airport offers a gate pass program for non-ticketed guests

We’re keeping track of the growing list of airports that offer gate pass programs inviting non-ticketed guests into the terminal to go out to the gates with departing passengers, greet friends and loved ones as they come off the plane, dine, shop, view art, listen to music and watch airplanes comes and go.

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) rolled out its program this week.

Here’s a list of other airports with gate pass programs.

San Diego Int’l Airport expands visitor pass program

Uncategorized, Visitor pass,

San Diego International Airport (SAN), which recently opened a brand new Terminal 1, is expanding its visitor pass program allowing non-ticketed guests to visit the terminals.

Until now, visitors could only apply for a SAN Pass to enter Terminal 2, but now the program has been expanded to cover both Terminals 1 and 2.

“If you’ve ever wanted to see off family or friends at their gate or enjoy the outstanding dining and retail options in Terminal 1 and 2 without flying, this program offers that opportunity,” said Kimberly Becker, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

How the SAN Pass works

To apply for a SAN PASS, visitors provide their full legal name, date of birth, and gender (as listed on a TSA-approved photo ID). If approved, visitors will receive their SAN Pass via email as a PDF attachment and go through general screening with their pass and a TSA-approved REAL ID.

Which other airports offer a visitor pass?

Cleveland Hopkins Interational Airport (CLE) offer the Hopkins Hangout Pass

The Wingmate Pass at Philadelphia International Airport.

Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SEA Visitor Pass Program.

The MSY Guest Pass Program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

DTW Destinaton Pass at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

BNA Passport at Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI: the LAN Visitor Pass.

OC AirPass at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA,

ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) recently rolled out its MCI Guest Pass Program

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) has a Stay and Play Visitor Pass

Tampa International Airport brought back its TPA All Access pass in October 2025.

Another airport adds a gate pass program. Yay!!

Airport guides,

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is launching a gate pass program.

The new SAT Pass lets non-ticketed visitors pass through security to greet arriving passengers post-security or go with a departing passenger to the gate.

Applying for the pass is easy. Guests can go online to request a pass at least 24 hours in advance. If the request is approved, a QR code is sent that allows access through the TSA security checkpoint.  

“This pass is designed for anyone who wants to spend additional time with a traveler,” said Tonya Hope, Public Relations Manager at San Antonio International Airport. “We feel Valentine’s week is the perfect time to launch this free new service.

The SAT Pass program is up and running and allows up to 50 approved non-ticketed visitors to go past security each day.

To apply, sign up on the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) website.

It would be lovely to use the SAT Pass program to surprise a loved one as they get off the plane or to go with them through security so you can spend some extra time before they get on their flight.

But you might also get a SAT Pass to explore the airport on your own.

SAT has a great selection of public art, live music and temporary exhibitions. One of our favorite pieces is Sunrise Wheel, a 1995 sculpture by the Art Guys (above).

Other airports with gate pass programs

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is the latest airport to introduce a gate pass program for non-ticketed passengers. Here is a list of other airports that offer gate pass programs as well.

Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SEA Visitor Pass Program

The MSY Guest Pass Program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY),

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW): DTW Destination Pass

Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI: the LAN Visitor Pass,

Flint Bishop Airport (FNT) in Flint, Michigan: FNT Visitor Pass program

OC Air Pass at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA,

ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): PSP Stay and Play Pass

Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, WA offers the PSC Pass

Philadelphia International Aiport offers the PHL Wingmate Pass

Tulsa International Airport (TUL): TUL Visitor Pass Program

Orlando International Airport (MCO): Experience MCO Visitor Pass

Nashville International Airport (BNA): BNA PASSport

Let us know if we missed any. And let us know if you’ve used the pass to visit an airport.