The airlines anticipate a busy holiday travel season, particularly after families were separated last year. We want you to be prepared if you are traveling for the holidays and offer these tips to make your holiday travel as stress-free as possible. Plus, it’s good advice for traveling anytime.
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
- At ICT, TSA opens the checkpoint at 3:30 am.
- TSA closes the checkpoint after the last flight of the day. If the flight is delayed, do not wait to come to the airport. Your departure time may change and the checkpoint may be closed if you wait too long.
- Pre-Check passengers cruise through the checkpoint. Sign up at TSA Pre-check. You can renew your Pre-Check membership for a new, discounted rate of $70.
- TSA Pre-Check Passengers do not need to remove:
- Shoes (unless they set off the metal detector)
- Laptops
- 3-1-1 liquids
- Belts
- Light jackets
If you are not a pre-check passenger:
- Wear slip-on shoes. Shoes need to be placed directly onto the x-ray conveyor belt or in a bin with nothing inside the shoes or anything on or below the shoes.
- Outer coats, jackets, as well as anything that might cause an alarm, including bulky sweatshirts and hoodies as long as the passenger is comfortable removing and he or she is wearing something underneath. Belts need to be removed because they might cause an alarm.
- Don’t wear bling on your jeans, even if you are a precheck passenger. Metal will set off the alarm and you will undergo additional screening.
- Hats and scarves need to be removed because they might cause alarm.
- Everything must be removed from the passenger’s pockets.
- Electronics that are bigger than your cell phone
- Liquids, gels, aerosols, toiletries, shampoos, pastes, creams, lotions, perfumes, etc. Liquids must be 3.4 oz. or less and all fit into one, 1-quart zip-top bag.
What can you do if you accidentally bring a prohibited item in your carry-on bag?
- The Business Center gives you the option of holding your item, or mailing it back to you. The Business Center is located on the mezzanine level on your right after you get off the up escalator.
- If you’re not sure what you can pack in your carry-on or checked bags, visit TSA’s website. You can also Tweet them at https://twitter.com/tsa.
Visit tsa.gov for more travel and screening information.
TIPS FROM THE AIRPORT
- Visit ICTReadyToFly for Covid travel information.
- Arrive 2 hours before departure time
- Face masks are required by Federal law while in the terminal, parking shuttle, and on your airplane.
- Unpack before packing to make sure you have no prohibited items in your carryon or checked bags.
PARKING
- We’re offering a 25% discount on the Park & Ride lot. From Nov. 19 – Jan. 2, you can park for $6/day.
- Please, 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.
- ADA accessible parking stalls are located in all surface lots, and on levels 2-4 of the parking garage nearest the stairwells/elevators
- If you need assistance in any of the parking areas, or if you need your windshield scraped, a flat tire inflated, call our ABM Parking at 316-946-4772.
- Sign up for ICT Rewards and start earning free parking at the airport. Earn one point for every $1.00 spent on parking at the airport. For signing up, you’ll receive 250 bonus points, enough for 1 day of free parking in the Garage or Economy Lot. Sign up here.
- For more parking information, visit http:/www.flywichita.com/parking/
TIPS FROM THE AIRLINES
- Do NOT pack medications you will need in your checked bags.
- Do NOT pack your laptop or cell phone charger in your checked bags.
- Do NOT wrap gifts
- Do NOT pack breakables in your luggage unless they are well padded.
- Download the airline’s app for the most up-to-date flight information.
- Put something on your bag that makes it uniquely yours. You’d be surprised on how many bag swaps there are!
- If you book basic economy, check your airline policies to know what you can carry on board. Each airline is different.
- Check in for your flight up to 24 hours before departure time.
- Mobile or printed boarding passes are accepted here.
- Each airline has different weight and size requirements for baggage. Visit the airline’s website so you won’t have any surprises when you arrive at the airport. Airlines are listed here: http:/www.flywichita.com/airline-information/
- If your flight is cancelled, do not come to the airport. Call the airline to rebook.
- Check with your airline before bringing any alcohol beverages on board. FAA regulations prohibit travelers from consuming alcohol on board an aircraft unless it’s served by a flight attendant. Flight Attendants are not permitted to serve a passenger who is intoxicated.
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
- Vaccinations and negative COVID-19 tests are not required for U.S. citizens traveling domestically. However, each state has certain requirements.
- Hawaii has a 10-day mandatory self-quarantine unless you have been fully vaccinated in the U.S. Fully vaccinated travelers arriving to the Hawaiian Islands from the U.S. can bypass quarantine without a pre-travel COVID-19 test. Learn More at State of Hawaii Portal.
- Several cities are requiring their citizens and visitors to have proof of vaccination to attend certain indoor activities. These cities include New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Honolulu.
- The restrictions for each city vary. Visit the CDC site for restrictions by state or country.
- All you need to know about COVID-19 tests can be found here.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FOR U.S. CITIZENS
- Follow all airline requirements as well as any requirements at your destination, including mask wearing, proof of vaccination, testing, or quarantine. Requirements may differ from U.S. requirements. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.
- Rapid COVID-19 tests (PCR) are offered in the terminal on the mezzanine level. The cost is $300 and results are available within 45 minutes.
RETURNING TO THE U.S. FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY
- Vaccinated or unvaccinated Americans need to show results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of their departure to the U.S. Vaccinations of U.S. citizens are not required to travel.
- This applies to all travelers over the age of 2, regardless of whether they are vaccinated.
- Unvaccinated travelers will be subject to stricter testing requirements and must show proof of a negative test taken within one day of travel to the U.S., in addition to a second test upon arrival. Vaccinated individuals must show results of a test taken within three days of scheduled departure to the country.
- Fully vaccinated air passengers, regardless of citizenship, will continue to be required to show a negative predeparture COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before they board their flight to the United States.
- Learn more about these requirements.
Visit Covid-19 Travel Information for useful links to destination restrictions and requirements.
