For Immediate Release: Friday, November 20, 2020

2020 Thanksgiving Air Travel

Travelers should be prepared for changes to the travel experience

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, November 20, 2020 – Many travelers flying through Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in the next 10 days are taking their first trip since the pandemic began. Guests can expect enhanced health, safety and sanitation efforts in OKC and at their destination airport.     

To answer one of our most frequently asked questions, masks are required for all airport visitors. From pick-ups to parking shuttles and ticket counters to taxiways, face coverings must be worn by travelers throughout their trip and by visitors while they are inside the airport. Those who refuse can be turned away from boarding a flight or may be asked to leave.

To avoid issues, visitors should bring several face coverings with them. This can be especially helpful if someone in your travel party loses their mask. Those who don’t have a mask can request one at their airline ticket counter, departure gate or purchase masks in one of the airport’s retail shops.

For those parking at the airport, plenty of spaces are available in Lot #2 (main shuttle lot), the five-story garage, the premium garage and hourly parking. Rates and parking locations can be found at flyokc.com/parking-rates. Lot #1 (economy) and Lot #3 (semi-covered) are expected to remain closed through the holidays.

At OKC’s TSA checkpoint, and at checkpoints nationwide, signage and plastic shields are in place to  maintain social distancing between you and TSA officers. ID and boarding pass verification is contact free, but you may be asked to remove your mask for ID verification. Frequently-touched checkpoint surfaces, including screening equipment and bins are being disinfected often. TSA officers wear masks, gloves and eye protection/face shields throughout the checkpoint. Officers change their gloves after each pat-down and at the request of passengers. More TSA holiday travel tips are included below.   

Food and retail options in the airport include a full-service restaurant/bar between gates 18 and 20. Coffee and grab & go items can be found between gates 12 and 14. Retail shops are open in the central and west parts of the concourse based on airline flight schedules. Employees are working in masks, maintaining social distancing requirements between serving tables and disinfecting displays.

The airport’s janitorial crews are focusing on high traffic areas and disinfecting the most frequently touched surfaces.

Airlines are working to keep their operations spaces safe by disinfecting walk-up kiosks, encouraging social distancing in the gate seating areas and disinfecting high traffic surfaces between flights.  

Here are some tips for holiday travelers:

• Always arrive at the terminal at least an hour-and-a-half before departure. With fewer passengers flying, travelers may be tempted to test this. Longer lines occasionally form due to consolidated flight schedules, so travelers should still arrive early. 
• Check-in early for flights. Most airlines close the check-in process 30 or 45 minutes before a scheduled departure (confirm with your airline).
• Be prepared for the checkpoint. Travelers should ensure that their carry-on does not contain prohibited items.
• Each passenger is being allowed to carry one 12-ounce liquid hand sanitizer container with them in their carry-on bag. These containers will need to be removed from the bag for screening.  
• FIREARMS ARE PROHIBITED in the terminal building and at the checkpoint but may be packed in checked luggage, provided they are:

1) Declared to the traveler’s airline.

2) Unloaded with ammunition in appropriate packaging.

3) In a locked, hard-sided case.

• Many travelers like to bring a food dish to share at holiday meals. However, some foods and dishes may trigger alarms. Food items should be placed in a clear plastic bag, taken out of carry-on bags during screening and placed into a bin. Cakes, pies and casseroles can travel in carry-on luggage. Liquids like wine or cranberry sauce that are larger than 3.4 ounces should go into a checked bag. Anything you can spill, spread, spray, pump or pour out, should also be in a checked bag.
• If possible, please leave gifts unwrapped in the event they set off an alarm and need additional screening. Visit  www.tsa.gov for information on traveling with specific items.
• Passengers with disabilities or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares Hotline at 855-787-2227 in advance for assistance through the screening process.
• For those picking up travelers, there is no parking or waiting at the terminal curbside on the upper and lower levels. Only active loading is allowed. Visitors waiting for arriving passengers can use  the waiting area on Terminal Drive or hourly parking. The waiting area is free and hourly parking is free for stays less than an hour.
• Weather can be unpredictable, including the weather at a traveler’s destination or connecting airport. It is always a good idea to track weather and flights. All travelers should sign up for airline notifications regarding flight status.

For other specific COVID-19 related travel guidance, travelers should check with their airline or their destination airport. Most of them are offering this information through their websites and through their social channels.

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Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) is Oklahoma City’s commercial airport and accommodated over 4.4 million travelers in 2019 (record year). The airport is currently served by seven major carriers with an average of 42 daily departures to 17 destinations. Historical passenger traffic data for OKC can be found at: www.flyokc.com/news-statistics

Contact: Josh Ryan, Marketing Coordinator

Office: (405) 316‑3239

Cell: (405) 394-8926