Eisenhower National Airport expects a busy holiday travel season. Travel demand has been trending higher over last year, with passenger traffic up 6.5% over 2023. If you plan to travel for the holidays, we offer these tips to make your trip less stressful.
For the Thanksgiving holiday, based on the number of scheduled seats, the busiest days will be:
- Tuesday, Nov. 26 – 38 departures, 3,553 seats
- Saturday, Nov. 30 – 39 departures, 3,698 seats
- Sunday, Dec. 1 – 41 departures, 3,687 seats
Travel for Christmas tends to be more spread out. Based on scheduled seats, the busiest day will be Thursday, Dec. 19, when there are 33 departures, 3,165 seats.
Preparing for your Trip
- Check in for your flight online up to 24 hours prior to departure. Have your boarding pass on your mobile phone or print it at home.
- Winter weather can cause delays and cancellations. Download your airline’s app for up-to-date flight information.
- Stay up-to-date with what is happening at airports you will be flying through. Visit the airports’ websites to find information on parking, rental cars, amenities, and important updates about road construction and detours.
- If you are an infrequent flyer or if this is your first time flying, visit our website flywichita.com and click on First Time Flyers where you’ll find loads of travel tips.
Packing
- Unpack before packing to make sure you have no prohibited items in your carryon or checked bags.
- Each airline has different baggage weight and size requirements. Weigh your bags before coming to the airport. Visit the airline’s websites so you won’t have any surprises when you arrive at the airport.
Security Screening
- Follow the 3-1-1 rule. Liquids, gels and aerosols are limited to 3.4 oz. or less in carry-on luggage.
- You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening. Common examples of these devices include laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles.
- Food items such as pies and cakes are permitted but may require further inspection. If travelers are not sure if a food item is considered a liquid or gel, it is best to pack the item in checked baggage or ship it to a destination in advance.
- Dress for easy screening – slip-on shoes, no bling, no belts
- Do not wrap gifts before flying.
- The busiest times at the checkpoint are:
- 0400 – 0700, 10 departures
- 0900 – 1300, 12 departures
- TSA Checkpoint opens 1 ½ hours before the first departure, currently that time is 3:30 am.
- Review TSA’s security screening measures.
Traveling with Kids
TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.
- Effective Oct. 28, if you are traveling with children younger than 13, they can sit next to their parent or caregiver without having to pay extra fees to do so.
- TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger.
- Parents with special needs children can call the TSA Cares line 72 hours in advance to request special assistance through airport security.
- Car seats and strollers might require fees as carry-on items
- While waiting for your flight, take the children to the play area at ICT located across from Gate 1
- Bring snacks, books, quiet toys, blanket
- Cabin pressure during takeoff and landing can hurt tiny ears. Bring a pacifier for babies. For older children, bring gum or lollypops to help them pop their ears.
Traveling with Pets
- If traveling with a pet, be sure to bring a leash so carriers can be properly screened.
- Use this handy guide to review each airline’s policy on flying with pets.
Arriving at the Airport
- Arrive 2 hours prior to your departure time. Departure time is the time the plane leaves.
- Be at your gate at least 30 minutes before departure; boarding closes 10 minutes prior to departure time.
- If you are on the last flight of the day and it’s delayed, do not leave the concourse. TSA will close and you won’t be able to return to your flight.
- Make sure you have a valid ID, passport for international travel. Infants 2 years and younger need a ticket and passport for international travel.
- Most countries require that the passport is valid for 90 days, prior to their departure date from a foreign country.
- If you have a hidden disability and need a little more time and/or assistance, ask for a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower item from the Information Desk, airlines, or TSA.
Parking
The Park & Ride shuttle lot is the cheapest at $8/day. The shuttle rotates between the lot and terminal every 15 minutes. From your time of pick up, you can expect to be delivered to the terminal within about 4 – 6 minutes. You can track the location of the shuttle using the Ride Systems App from the Apple App Store or Google Play. View all parking information at flywichita.com/parking.
Cancelled flights
Do not come to the airport if your flight is cancelled. Call the airline to reschedule on a different flight or to cancel your trip.
As of Oct. 28, the FAA Reauthorization Act established new rules for airline passengers. One of those rules pertains to refunds and other consumer protections. Specifically, the final rules require airlines to automatically refund passengers when:
- Their flights are canceled or significantly changed
- Checked bags are significantly delayed
- Airlines don’t provide extra services as purchased
Get the details here.
Picking up arriving passengers:
- There is no parking and waiting in front of the terminal. The front of the terminal is for quick pickup and drop-off. Use the cell phone lot if picking up guests. Or, you can park in the short-term lot at no cost for the first 60 minutes.
Most importantly, pack your patience. Airports can be very busy during the holidays and the airline employees and TSA do everything they can to see that you get to your destination safely. Be being prepared, you will minimize your stress.
