American airports might not be the first place you would think to go shopping or grab a bite to eat. But as many major locations splurge on renovations, they’re encouraging travelers to take advantage of their revitalized spaces, even if they don’t have a flight to catch.
Orlando International Airport has a new day-pass program that will let you do just that, joining a handful of other facilities around the country blurring the lines between terminals and shopping malls.
The visitor program, which accommodates up to 50 guests on a daily basis, allows access past security at Terminal C. The six-level, $2.8 billion construction project, which opened just over a year ago, features a range of food and retail storefronts. That includes merchandise stores for Walt Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld. There’s also a premium lounge, palm trees, large murals, terrazzo flooring and access to the Brightline Orlando train station.
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Since launching a pilot program for the day pass early last month, Orlando Airport officials said more than 1,400 people have applied. The guest program is designed to add a larger footprint to the already busy terminal, which has seen nearly 6.4 million passengers and more than 48,300 operating flights since opening last year, according to the airport.
“This program allows us to extend an invitation to everyone who wants to take advantage of the award-winning terminal beyond the TSA checkpoints to enjoy its interactive media, shopping or dining,” Kevin J. Thibault, who oversees the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, wrote in an email.
Thibault said the Orlando Airport follows in the footsteps of various airports across the North American region that have implemented similar programs, including LaGuardia, Louis Armstrong New Orleans and Seattle-Tacoma. He also cited Ontario International Airport in California for its digital application process, a model for Orlando’s version.
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Visitor passes are part of a growing trend among U.S.-based airports that have seen a wave of revitalization projects in recent years. Investors are looking to build airports into communal gathering spaces that go beyond serving as a transitory point for travelers.
Airports are pouring billions into upgrades, with an emphasis on open spaces, high-tech bathrooms, facial recognition technology when going through security and other self-service features.
Perry Cooper, media relations manager at Seattle-Tacoma, said the airport increased the number of guests allowed through the SEA program to 300 on a daily basis following its success.
The program was second in the nation to launch a visitor pass program in 2018, right behind Pittsburgh. Cooper said people have flocked to visitor pass programs, especially because of the increase in travel in recent years, as a way to meet with loved ones or to support people with accessibility needs in boarding or getting off their flights. Others will also apply for a slot to view the airfield or track flights as they arrive and depart.
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“The goal of the program is to help families, friends and others meet and support travelers during their travels and increase non-aeronautical revenue with parking, dining and retail,” Cooper wrote.
Upgrades have already been seen at major airports, including Dallas Fort Worth International, which debuted four new gates in 2022 in hopes of allowing passengers to wait for their flights in more spacious comfort.
Portland International Airport, as part of a $1.5 billion project, also plans to unveil a terminal space that resembles a small-town market plaza, with wide corridors lined by trees and storefronts. The space is set to open in two years.
These initiatives have also gained momentum in large part through funds from the Biden administration’s bipartisan infrastructure law, which aims to improve 85 airports across the nation through a nearly $1 billion allocation.
The administration has said the infrastructure law is part of a long-overdue effort to upgrade terminals, bag screenings and air traffic control towers. A March report from the Airports Council International-North America estimates that U.S.-based airports will need more than $151 billion over the next five years to fund much-needed infrastructure projects, a drastic jump from its $115 billion projection in 2021.
At Orlando International, Terminal C comes equipped with 15 additional gates, radio-frequency identification tags on all baggage, automated TSA lanes, as well as more than 30 retail spots and places to eat.
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Visitors can apply for a day pass on the Orlando Airport’s website up to seven days before their intended stopover, and they will receive an email with their pass attached after it has been approved. Day-pass visitors are still required to pass through the Terminal C TSA checkpoint. Entry into the gate is restricted between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and visitors are permitted access until 8 p.m., per the airport’s website.
Expedited screening and traveler programs, such as TSA PreCheck or Clear programs, cannot be used with the MCO Visitor Pass, which is being offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to TSA approval.
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