How to Get an Airline Boarding Pass
We recently wrote about three airports (DTW, PIT, and TPA) that issue TSA-approved passes that allow ticketless individuals to go through security checks and visit airport shops and restaurants. While these passes may have been designed to promote “terminal tourism”, many people actually use the passes to meet family and friends outside the airport.
But several Lifehacker commenters have noted that “gate passages” or “escort passes” have already become the case. If you would like to accompany a child, elderly relative, person with special needs or military personnel to or from the airport exit, airlines are ready to help.
These passes are usually issued by the airline, not the airport, so here are the top six US airlines and their boarding rules:
Alaska Airlines
Accompanying passes are available for guardians and family members assisting unaccompanied minors :
The guardian and accompanying persons must obtain an escort pass from the ticket office to accompany child passengers to or from the boarding gate. Up to 2 adults and all children under the age of 13 accompanying the child passenger (s) are allowed through the checkpoint. Please arrive at least 90 minutes early to receive these escort passes.
Passes are also available if you are accompanying someone who needs special assistance :
- One or two adults, as well as any children under the age of 13, will be allowed through the checkpoint.
- Every non-traveler must obtain a security pass at the ticket office in order to be able to access through the checkpoint.
- Due to additional security measures at the airport, people should be given up to two hours to receive a pass.
american airlines
If you would like to escort someone through security, visit the ticket office :
Air carrier authorization forms for escorting people (minors, elderly, etc.) through security are available at the airport ticket office.
Delta Air Lines
Delta offers escort passes for people assisting travelers :
Persons who do not have travel tickets, but need to provide assistance to the client, are allowed to pass through the checkpoints. They must check in at the ticket office to receive a pass that allows them to go through security without a ticket.
Delta requires a parent or guardian to assist their unaccompanied minors , and admission passes are available to:
The parent or designated accompanying adult must bring the unaccompanied minor to the gate and remain until the flight leaves the ground.
[…]
You must present a valid ID and be signed by the person meeting the child. Delta will not transfer to anyone other than the named person. Parents or their accompanying adult must present at the destination airport two hours prior to scheduled arrival in order to obtain a boarding pass.
Jetblue airways
JetBlue’s rules for unaccompanied minors are somewhat convoluted, but the main point is that you can request a gate pass to accompany your minor to / from the gate, with the following caveat:
As regulations vary from airport to airport, please check the unaccompanied minors section at the specific airport from which the unaccompanied minor is departing to determine if a boarding pass can be issued.
JetBlue’s policy for accompanying adults with special assistance is much simpler:
A companion can assist you with a disability at a US domestic airport. An exit pass request must be made at the departing ticket office and noted on the inbound flight booking. Just make sure the person assisting goes to the ticket booth to get a pass to the gate and bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The issue of passes is subject to travel security and may not be available at different times or locations.
This is JetBlue’s policy regarding military personnel and gate passes :
Family members who wish to escort a soldier on their way to the boarding gate or to greet a soldier returning from service at the gate can obtain passes to enter the safe area of the airport.
Southwest Airlines
Non-passenger escort passes are issued to persons accompanying or meeting any of the following passengers :
- Unaccompanied minor (children from 5 to 11 years old travel unaccompanied by adults)
- Disabled person
- Young travelers under 18
- Family members of arriving and departing U.S. military personnel who have been posted or sent to service
To obtain an escort pass, contact the Southwest Airlines customer service agent at the ticket counter.
United airlines
Here are United’s rules on unaccompanied minors and an escort pass :
Flights departing from the USA: At check-in, you can obtain a pass that will allow you to go through security and walk with your child to the gate. When you arrive at the gate, introduce yourself to the United representative at the counter and tell him that your child will be traveling alone. You can then take a seat at the boarding gate and wait until it is time to board.
Flights departing from airports outside the United States: A United representative will meet you and your child at the check-in counter. A representative will guide your child through security and customs to the gate.
If you are escorting a soldier, you can request an exit pass and access to the United Club Lounge :
We are pleased to invite active duty military personnel in uniform or with real leave orders or rest and recuperation papers to visit our United Club℠ locations on the same day they travel by United- or United Express® flight to injecting drug users. To enter, you must present a military ID, boarding pass and sponsorship documents. Access is available to members of the armed forces on active duty and to family members with boarding passes or traveling on the same flight as the member of the armed forces and is subject to the capacity of each seat and seat availability.
While I have not been able to find any specific language about getting an escort pass for an adult with special assistance, you can always contact United and ask what I would advise you to do in any situation where you cannot find clear rules … availability of boarding passes (for example, if you want to meet service personnel arriving on a Delta flight).
If you have more tips on how to get your gate pass, let us know!
This post first appeared in 2011 and was rewritten and reissued on 11/13/19 to reflect current rules and policies.