SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane International Airport says that from Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Dec. 1 nearly 140,000 people are scheduled to arrive and depart through Spokane.
The airport says this number is up 2.6% from last year’s record capacity, so the airport has released a list of top tips passengers can follow to have the best possible journey in preparation for this busy travel period.
“The No. 1 thing passengers can do to prepare for their holiday trip is to give themselves more time than they think they need – even if they’re a frequent flyer,” said Ezra Eckhardt, Spokane Airport Board Chair. “2023 was a record-breaking year for Spokane International Airport, and after sustained levels of growth throughout 2024, we’re expecting this Thanksgiving to be one of the busiest yet, which is why we are recommending passengers arrive at least two hours before their flight boards to give themselves enough time to park, check-in, navigate through security and prepare for boarding at the gate.”
For passengers traveling out of Spokane, the airport says traffic is expected to peak between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. each day leading up to and immediately following Thanksgiving.
Passengers are encouraged to use the following tips:
- Arrive at the airport at least two hours before the scheduled boarding time for their flight to allow ample time to park, navigate to the terminal, check luggage and proceed through the TSA security screening checkpoint.
- Proceed through the ticket counters and passenger checkpoint lines as soon as possible to alleviate congestion in the drop-off and ticketing areas and ensure travelers have plenty of time to go through TSA security screening.
- Empty their water bottle before entering the TSA checkpoint. Passengers are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in their carry-on bag and through the checkpoint if the individual contents are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
- Ensure any electronics larger than a cellphone (e.g., tablets, notebook, cameras, etc.) are removed from their carry-ons and placed in a bin during TSA screenings. Electronics should be placed in a bin with nothing on top or below, similar to how laptops have been screened for several years.
- Avoid wrapping gifts and packages in their checked or carry-on luggage, which will require security extra time to unwrap and examine these items.
- Review guidelines for traveling with children. Proof of age documentation will need to be provided at airline ticketing for children under age 12 traveling unaccompanied. Proof of age documentation must also be provided for children two years of age or younger planning to sit on an adult passenger’s lap. A birth certificate is acceptable proof of age.
For passengers traveling into Spokane, the airport says traffic is expected to peak around 12 p.m. and between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the days before and after Thanksgiving.
Travelers are encouraged to use the following tips for easy travel:
- Travelers can save time by paying for parking before they leave the terminal using the QuickPay kiosks located at the A, B and C concourse baggage claim areas, Levels 1 and 2 of the A/B SkyBridge elevator Lobby, Level 1 of the C SkyBridge elevator lobby and the Concourse C ticketing area.
- People picking up travelers can park in the Cell Phone Waiting Lot to alleviate traffic at the terminal. The Cell Phone Waiting Lot is cost-free and provides easy access to curbside pickup after passengers have landed and collected their luggage.
- Travelers should always double-check their luggage as many bags look alike. Before traveling, passengers should tag every piece of luggage with their name and address and include additional addresses inside each bag in the event the outside tag falls off.
“The Wednesday before Thanksgiving used to be, by far, the busiest travel day of the year. However, thanks to changes in remote work and evolving passenger preferences, we’re seeing high levels of passenger traffic sustained over an extended period, often into the Monday after Thanksgiving – making it more important than ever for travelers to plan ahead,” said Larry Krauter, Spokane Airports CEO. “We look forward to welcoming the passengers and those who come out to meet them or see them off and will be focused on assisting our airline partners and the TSA to help travelers navigate the terminals and prepare for the screening process, so they have a safe and efficient experience while using SIA.”
Travelers can also keep track of their flights and any delays or cancellations through the Spokane Airport's Flight Status tracker.
