Holiday Travel Tips from ICT
Holiday travel tips

November 16, 2022

Holiday Travel Tips from ICT

Wichita Eisenhower National Airport is expecting a busy holiday travel season. The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving will be busy, as will the Saturday and Sunday after. There are over 3,000 seats scheduled on those days.

The busiest times of the day for departures are:

  • 5:30 am – 7:30 am            8 departures, 996 seats
  • 11:00 am – 12:30 pm        7 departures, 629 seats

HOTEL DISCOUNTS: If you travel a long distance to fly out of ICT, we want to make life a little easier for you.  We have partnered with our two airport hotels – the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Hampton Inn to offer a discounted rate for passengers who need to fly out early in the morning and for passengers arriving late in the evening.  The discounts will be off their Best Available Rate (BAR) for that day.  Passengers will need to provide a copy of their boarding pass at check-in as well as their ID (license or passport.) For details, see http:/www.flywichita.com/fly-ict-get-hotel-discounts/

FIRST-TIME FLYERS: If this is your first time to fly, or haven’t flown in a long time, we offer this First-Time Flyers Guide to help you prepare for your trip.

TIPS FROM AIRLINES

  • Arrive 2 hours before departure time to allow time to park, check in, get through security, and to your gate in time.  There are more families traveling and first-time flyers and the screening process can take longer than usual.
  • Your flight time is the time the aircraft needs to leave the gate.  The door to the aircraft is closed 10 minutes prior to departure time.  If you arrive at the gate less than 10 minutes prior to departure time, you will not be allowed to board and will be placed on standby for a later flight.  The airlines cannot reopen the flight for late-arriving customers. 
  • Check your bags – especially if your airline offers 2 free checked bags per customer. Too many carry-on bags slow down the boarding process and may cause a delay if the overhead bins fill up.  Flights have been full and there will be limited space in the overhead bins.
  • If your flight is canceled, DO NOT come to the airport.  Call the airline to rebook.
  • Download the airline’s app for the most up-to-date flight information.
  • Do NOT gift-wrap anything.  It may end up having to be opened and inspected.
  • Mobile or printed boarding passes are accepted here.
  • Check the weather, both here and at your destination, and have an alternate plan in case flights are canceled.
  • Each airline has different weight and size requirements for baggage.  Visit the airline’s websites so you won’t have any surprises when you arrive at the airport.
  • Put something on your bag that makes it uniquely yours. 
  • If you book basic economy, check your airline policies to know what you can carry onboard without a fee.  Each airline is different.

PACKING

  • Unpack before packing to make sure you have no prohibited items in your carry-on or checked bags.
  • Pack your medications in your carry-on bag or purse.
  • Pack your laptop or cell phone charger in your carry-on bag.
  • Do NOT pack breakables in your luggage unless they are well-padded. 

PARKING

  • We’re offering a 25% discount in the Park & Ride lot.  Instead of paying $8/day, the special rate will be $6/day. This discount is available for anyone entering the Park & Ride lot from Nov. 18 to Jan. 1.
  • 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 316-946-4777.
  • ADA-accessible parking stalls are located in all surface lots, and on levels 2-4 of the parking garage nearest the stairwells/elevators.
  • 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. 
  • Federal law prohibits 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. 

TIPS FROM TSA

  • Unpack your carry-on bag and purse before you pack to make sure there are no prohibited items in your bag.
  • Wear slip-on shoes to make it easier to get through security
  • Do NOT wear a lot of bling; it sets off the metal detector
  • You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in a small bag and separating them from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.
  • 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.
  • In most cases, food or snacks such as fruit, health bars, and sandwiches can stay inside your carry-on bag. There are special instructions for liquids, gels, and aerosols, as well as for baby food, breast milk and medically necessary items.
  • Visit tsa.gov for more security screening advice.
  • Listen to the Holiday Travel Press Conference: Holiday Travel Tips 2022.mp4

Media Contacts   (316) 946-4700

Valerie Wise, Air Service & Marketing Manager

Jesse R. Romo, Director of Airports

Brad Christopher, Assistant Director of Airports

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