Ontario International Airport, about 40 miles from the LAX airport, is seeking to bring back the old days when family members could meet their family and friends at their gate. The airport recently announced the ONT+ program. The program allows non-flyers to meet their arriving loved ones at the gate and access the airport’s food and shopping areas.
“We all remember the excitement of being able to meet arriving family and friends as they get off the plane. ONT+ is a way to bring back some of that experience from decades ago, in a safe and secure manner,” Dean Brown, ONT Public Safety Administrator, said in a statement.
Guest receiving a pass will still be subject to security checks and is a free service to non-travelers. Since 2016, the airport has invested heavily and now has updated and modern amenities.
“ONT+ is another example of how Ontario International is always at the forefront of amenities and services that can enhance the customer experience,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners.
Check out how the program works below.
1. How do I get a Pass?
Non-travelers looking to be able to enter the airport to meet loved ones at the gate have to fill out an application online within seven days before their arrival. If approved, they will receive instructions on how to use the pass via email.
2. Do other airports have this service?
While rare everywhere, a few other airports do offer a similar program. They include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airpor, and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.
