This California Airport Now Lets Non-Passengers Pass TSA Security

A growing number of US airports are rethinking who gets access beyond the security checkpoint, and a California hub has now joined the trend. San José Mineta International Airport has introduced a guest pass program that allows non-travelers to clear TSA security and accompany friends or family members all the way to the gate.

The initiative enables visitors without a boarding pass to experience the post-security side of the terminal, whether to see loved ones off, welcome arriving passengers, or simply enjoy the airport’s restaurants, shops, and public spaces. Guest pass holders must still undergo standard Transportation Security Administration screening and are subject to capacity limits and operational conditions.

Airport officials say the program is designed to make the terminal more welcoming while supporting concessionaires that rely heavily on passenger foot traffic. By allowing local residents and visitors to access airside amenities, the airport hopes to increase dwell time, boost retail and food-and-beverage spending, and strengthen the airport’s role as a community space rather than a strictly transactional transport facility.

Participation in the program requires advance registration online. Guests must provide personal identification details, agree to airport and TSA rules, and receive confirmation before arriving at the terminal. Passes are typically limited in number each day and may be suspended during peak travel periods, heightened security alerts, or operational disruptions.

San José Mineta International Airport joins a small but expanding group of US airports offering similar programs. In recent years, airports such as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and Pittsburgh International Airport have launched guest pass initiatives, often branded as “visitor passes” or “gate passes.” These programs have proven popular with families, aviation enthusiasts, and travelers seeking a less rushed airport experience.

The TSA has permitted such initiatives under controlled conditions, provided that non-passengers meet the same security requirements as ticketed travelers. Airports retain discretion over how many passes are issued and when the program operates, ensuring flexibility during busy travel seasons.

For San José Mineta, the move aligns with broader efforts to modernize the passenger experience and reposition the airport as a lifestyle-oriented gateway to Silicon Valley. Terminal upgrades, expanded dining options, and community-focused initiatives have increasingly shaped the airport’s strategy as competition intensifies among West Coast hubs.

While guest passes will not replace the traditional boarding-pass requirement, they signal a gradual shift in how airports balance security, commerce, and customer experience. For travelers and locals alike, the ability to share a pre-departure meal or a gate-side goodbye brings back a sense of connection that largely disappeared after 9/11—now returning, cautiously, to select US airports.