Some Airports Are Now Letting Nonpassengers Past TSA

Remember what flying was like in the pre-TSA era? Before the agency was formed in late 2001, you probably walked loved ones through security and right up to the gate before wishing them a fond farewell — and then heading right back out the exit. But as airport security measures tightened after the 9/11 attacks, this practice of letting nonpassengers past the security checkpoint largely became a thing of the past. Recently, that’s begun to change. Certain airports are now allowing people without a boarding pass beyond security checkpoints once again, but there are a few hoops to jump through first. Here’s a look at which airports are embracing this change and how you can apply.

How Visitor Pass Programs Work

As of early 2026, there are over a dozen airports (more on that below) around the U.S. that permit nonticketed individuals to apply for a visitor pass. You can apply for these one-day passes online, generally as far out as seven days before your planned date of visit. The process differs slightly at each airport — some may allow you to apply same-day, while others require you to apply in advance. It’s also worth noting that these day passes are often limited, so the earlier you apply, the better your odds are of being granted access.

Typically, the way it works is that online applicants provide their full name as well as the preferred day and time they would like to enter the airport. In some instances, applicants will be asked for a scan of their valid government ID (such as a Real ID or passport). Each application is then submitted to the TSA, and the approval window varies by airport; with some you’ll hear back right away, while others may not notify you until the day before your visit. If approved, you’ll be given instructions for when and how to enter the standard security screening like any ticketed flyer, after which you’ll be free to proceed into the terminal.

Participating Airports

While guest passes aren’t yet widely available, the list of participating airports is growing. Here are 19 popular U.S. airports where you can apply for a guest access pass, even without a plane ticket:

• Albuquerque International Sunport: ABQ FlySide Pass
• Capital Region International Airport (Lansing, Michigan): LAN Visitor Pass
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: Hopkins Hangout Pass
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport: DTW Destination Pass
• John Wayne Airport (Orange County, California): OC AirPASS
• Kansas City International Airport: MCI Guest Pass
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: MSY Guest Pass
• Nashville International Airport: BNA PASSport
• Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport: OAK Guest Pass
• Ontario International Airport (California): ONT+ Visitor Pass
• Orlando International Airport: Experience MCO Visitor Pass
• Palm Springs International Airport: PSP Stay & Play Pass
• Philadelphia International Airport: PHL Wingmate Pass
• San Antonio International Airport: SAT Pass
• San Diego International Airport: SAN Pass
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: SEA Visitor Pass
• Tampa International Airport: TPA All Access Pass
• Tri-Cities Airport (Washington): PSC Pass
• Tulsa International Airport: TUL Visitor Pass

As mentioned previously, the application process is different at each airport, so be sure to carefully read the instructions before submitting an application. 

Also be aware of time limits. Airports such as Philly International and Kansas City International cap each visit at six hours, while airports in San Antonio and Detroit are more lenient and allow access until 9 p.m. (no matter what time of day your visit began). And it’s also a good idea to check the number of passes that are available each day. For instance, Tri-Cities Airport offers only 10 daily passes, while larger Sea-Tac Airport makes 300 daily visitor passes available.

What’s Behind the Change

Allowing nonpassengers into the terminal offers benefits to both the visitor and the airport itself. On the visitor side, it allows you to walk friends or loved ones right up to the gate so you can see them off, or greet them when they arrive. For example, this can be reassuring if you’re a parent whose kid is flying alone, as you can ensure the child safely boards the plane.

But you don’t need to know someone who’s flying in order to apply for guest access. Anyone looking to shop, dine, or even just stroll around the terminal can apply as well. Increasingly, we’re seeing airports revamp their offerings to include high-end or unique shopping experiences and local restaurants that you may want to take advantage of, even if you have no plans to step foot on a plane.

For the airport, more visitors can mean more revenue, which is one reason these visitor pass programs have been gaining steam. However, one potential drawback is the fact that each visitor needs to go through airport security. The more guests there are, the longer security lines may be, which is why most airports participating in the program have limited the total number of guests passes to reduce crowding concerns.