For anyone who has ever been stranded in an airport in a snowstorm or missed a connection and had to spend the night in an uncomfortable chair by the gate, the airport is probably the last place they would go to spend a few hours "for fun."
But there was a time, prior to the post-9/11 crackdown, when people could come to the airport just to eat, take in the atmosphere and watch some flights take off. Many an older movie also has a scene of a couple saying passionate goodbyes right at the gate (or, reversely, running off the plane straight into a waiting partner's arms.)
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While the gate area has long been off-limits to those without a ticket, airports are slowly starting to experiment with day passes and places for those without a flight to hang out. The idea stems from hotels, which have increasingly started selling day passes to use the pool and other amenities during the pandemic period.
Airport offers option to experience it 'in a whole new way'
On the airport end, Orlando International Airport just launched a day-pass program called ExperienceMCO, which references the code for the city's principal airport.
"The ExperienceMCO Visitor Pass Program allows the non-traveling public to experience the newest terminal at Orlando International Airport," the airport said in a press release. "This exclusive pass will allow approved guests to enjoy the amenities post-security in our brand new Terminal C."
The new $2.8 billion terminal was completed in September 2022 and Orlando International Airport launched the program in an effort to promote it. To participate, one needs to sign up online between one and seven days from when one plans to come. You can pick a time slot for when you plan to arrive at the airport while the name on the application needs to match one's government-issued ID.
After one's application is approved by the Transportation Security Administration, you arrive at the airport and pass security just as one would if going to a gate. After that, one is free to walk around, check out the tree-lined skylight boulevard that has become the defining feature of the terminal and eat at restaurants such as Sunshine Diner or Orlando Brewing.
It's just like taking a flight (don't bring liquids)
"ExperienceMCO guests are subject to the same security regulations as passengers boarding an aircraft and must comply with TSA’s screening procedures, including not bringing items prohibited by TSA and complying with the 3-1-1 Liquids Rules," Orlando International Airport said in reference to the TSA ban on liquids greater than 3.4 ounces.
The airport said that more than 1,400 people have already participated in the program since it launched last month while more than 6.4 million travelers have passed through the new terminal.
Orlando is not the first U.S. airport to experiment with such a program. In 2020, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport launched the SEA Visitor Pass while Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has the MSY Guest Pass that also lets guests without a ticket explore a terminal post-security between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Outside the U.S., Singapore's Changi Airport has an extensive pre-security area with hundreds of shops and restaurants as well as the famed Jewel falling water fountain. Both locals and tourists come to the airport area to spend the day walking around.
