TULSA, OK – March 12, 2024 – Spring Break begins later this week for many local schools, and the airport is anticipating a surge in passenger activity. Airport officials are expecting a 2% increase in traffic over the 2023 Spring Break season, with an estimate of approximately 114,000 passengers flying through the airport between March 15th-24th. Throughout the next few weeks (Oklahoma and Arkansas Spring Break season), passengers should arrive two hours prior to their scheduled departure time.
“With the airport being busier than normal for Spring Break, a small amount of preparation can transform passengers’ experience and reduce any travel stress”, said Stephanie Chester, Tulsa International Airport’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations. “We hope families take advantage of our free services on property, such as the Cell Phone Lot to pick up family, our Guest Services Areas, or the new Discovery Lab play area in the terminal.”
- Planning ahead for your trip:
- Pack smart and remember to check the Transportation Security Administration’s guidelines for prohibited items.
- 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 the trip.
- The Department of Homeland Security extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025. This means Oklahomans can continue to use their current driver license or Oklahoma identification card to fly domestically.
- 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 any possible last-minute changes or delays prior to leaving for the airport. Utilizing airlines’ apps or websites is the quickest, most accurate way to monitor flight status and gate changes.
- Plan where you will park before leaving for the airport. Passengers have three convenient parking options when traveling from TUL – Garage, Economy and Valet. To learn more about parking services, visit https://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.
- 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 their eyes or fingerprints to verify their identity at airport security and gives them access to the front of the security queueing lane.
- Shopping and dining information:
- Shopping and dining information can be found here: https://flytulsa.com/travel/amenities/dining-shopping/
- 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 14th, 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 [email protected].
- 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.
- Our Tunes at TUL live music program will have several performances during the Spring Break period. All Tunes at TUL sets are performed at Gate A1.
- Monday, March 18th, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: COMBSY
- Tuesday, March 19th, 1:00-2:00 p.m.: Charlie Redd
- Wednesday, March 20th, 1:00-2:00 p.m.: Desi & Cody
- Thursday, March 21st, 1:00-2:00 p.m.: Steve Liddell
- Friday, March 22nd, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.: Mark Gibson
- 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 https://flytulsa.com/tulvisitorpass.
Link to TUL passenger photos for media: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xatmsyyejh5hs85zit2z1/h?rlkey=2801ouusn5bg4xkziv58ubtyh&dl=0
About Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust: Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT) administers, manages and operates Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and Tulsa Riverside Airport (RVS), both of which are owned by the City of Tulsa. TAIT’s mission is to provide a safe, efficient, self-supporting airport system for the citizens of the Tulsa metropolitan area and surrounding region.
About Tulsa International Airport: Five air carriers offer nonstop service from TUL to 22 destinations across the country. In 2023, the airport had the highest number of annual passengers since 2008 with a total of 3.14 million passengers. For more information visit www.flytulsa.com.
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