Tulsa International Airport Offers Spring Break Travel Tips

Many of you may be fortunate enough to be traveling somewhere for a spring break getaway next week. If you’re flying, I want to share these great travel tips that I received from the Tulsa International Airport. It’s especially important to know what to expect when you’re traveling with children – and talk to your children about what to expect as well. It will make traveling a little smoother for everyone (check out tip #5 below). Safe travels!

If you’re a frequent traveler, some of these tips will be familiar, but some are related to new amenities at the airport, so take a minute to review before you travel.

1. Plan ahead:

• Pack smart and remember to check the Transportation Security Administration’s guidelines for prohibited items. tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
• Travelers who have medical conditions or disabilities are encouraged to call the TSA Cares toll-free helpline in advance of their trip at 1.855.787.2227 to ask about helpful resources, screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the checkpoint. It is recommended to call 72 hours in advance of your trip.
• What about REAL ID? Do you need one? No – not, yet, anyway. The Department of Homeland Security has extended the enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025.

2. Parking and leaving for the airport:

• Passengers should arrive two hours prior to their scheduled departure time, keeping in mind the checkpoint does not open until 3:45 a.m. Confirm directly with your airline for possible last-minute changes or delays before leaving for the airport. Use airlines’ apps or websites for the quickest and most accurate information.
• Plan where you will park. When traveling from TUL, you can choose Garage, Economy and Valet. To learn more, go here: flytulsa.com/travel/parking/parking-options-map/
• Passengers can expedite their parking experience and earn free parking for every dollar spent by signing up for TUL Parking Perks. This parking rewards program allows for ticketless entry and exit in the parking Garage and Economy Lot, and lets customers earn points for every dollar spent to redeem free parking.
• In anticipation of airport parking options potentially reaching capacity, TUL has set up an overflow parking lot that would be utilized when Garage, Economy, and Valet parking options are full. If the overflow parking is needed, passengers would then be guided to the lot off E. Young Pl. and N 73rd Ave, where airport parking shuttles would be running to transport passengers to and from the terminal.

3. TSA Security Checkpoint reminders:

• The live TUL security wait time is posted on the airport’s home page at flytulsa.com
• When approaching the security checkpoint, passengers should have their government issued photo ID or passport available. Passengers should pay extra attention that their valid form of ID matches their name on their flight reservation exactly.
• Passengers can sign up for a CLEAR Plus membership at the airport. CLEAR Plus allows passengers to get to their gate faster by using theireyes or fingerprints to verify their identity at airport security and gives them access to the front of the security queueing lane.

4. Shopping and dining information:

5. Airport amenities and accessibility resources:

• The airport has partnered with Discovery Lab to construct a play area for kids to enjoy post-security while waiting for their flight. The new play area is set to open on Thursday, March 14, and is located between Gate B7 and B9.
• Passengers who may need extra assistance while traveling can utilize the airport’s Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard program. If requested, the airport will provide sunflower lanyards free of charge to passengers with hidden disabilities. Wearing the sunflower lanyard is a discrete way for a person with a disability to make staff throughout the terminal aware that they may need additional time, patience or assistance navigating the air travel experience. Lanyards are available in the airport lobby in room A-211 or by sending an e-mail to taaweb@tulsaairports.com.
• TUL’s two Guest Services Areas are open to passengers, offering sensory rooms, lactation rooms, quiet rooms, family restrooms, and indoor service animal relief areas. Both Guest Services Areas are located on the lower level of Concourse A and Concourse B.
• Airport Ambassadors will be available to answer any questions or concerns that travelers may have at the airport.
• Welcome Waggin’ therapy dogs will be throughout the terminal greeting passengers.

6. Picking up or dropping off loved ones at TUL:

• When picking up or dropping off family and friends, remember that active loading and unloading is in place curbside. Drivers will not be allowed to park at the curb unless their passengers are outside with their luggage. Drivers can wait in the airport’s free cell phone lot while they wait for their party, or they can park in short-term parking on the top level of the garage if they want to greet them inside baggage claim.
• The TUL Visitor Pass program allows non-traveling individuals to secure a pass to go through security and see friends and family off on their trip, welcome their guests at the gate, and enjoy all the amenities that TUL has to offer. To register for a TUL Visitor Pass, visit flytulsa.com/tulvisitorpass.