Travel Tips

We want your travel experience through Tri-Cities Regional Airport to be as easy and hassle-free as possible.  So  we've included some basic travel tips below to answer any questions you may have about booking airline tickets, packing, checking in and going through security.  You may also visit the Transportation Security Administration website at http://www.tsa.gov/ for more information about what you can bring on board, the 3-1-1 rule and prohibited items.  Please contact your airline for more specific questions about baggage fees and requirements.   

Booking Airline Tickets

Try to book your airline tickets as early as possible to guarantee availability of seats and the flight schedule you need.  Be flexible with your travel dates and try to include a Saturday night stay if possible.  You can purchase your airline tickets on our website booking engine at http://www.triflight.com/.  

Be aware that most of the carriers no longer provide meals, snacks or drinks during the flight.  You can buy some of those items on board the aircraft for a fee.  You may also bring a drink on board if you purchase it after going through Security.  

Baggage Fees and Rules

Baggage fees and rules are changing constantly and are not consistent with all airlines.  Most major airlines now charge a fee for checked luggage.  For specific rules, please check with the carriers with which you will be traveling. All items are subject to size and weight restrictions as well.  Failure to adhere to your carrier's weight and size restrictions for carry-on baggage may cause delays.

Arrive Early

• Arrive at least an hour prior to the scheduled departure time and consider doing so even earlier during peak times, such as holidays, in case there are delays parking or going through security. Most airlines require passengers to check baggage at least 30 minutes prior to departure and be at the gate at least 20 minutes prior.
• Please note that at some major airports, passengers must now check baggage 45 minutes prior to departure. Check with your airline as you make your travel plans.
• Be aware that departure time means when the plane is scheduled to take off, not when passenger boarding may actually begin. Airlines have instituted 10 minute door closing policies, meaning all passengers must be in their seats 10 minutes before scheduled departure time. Airlines can deny boarding if you check-in under 30 minutes before departure. Check with your airline for their policy.
• Boarding passes may be printed from your home computer up to 24 hours prior to departure or obtained at the airline ticket counter, self-service electronic check-in or curbside check-in.

At the Checkpoint

• Have boarding passes and a government-issued, photo I.D. in-hand.
• Prepare to remove shoes, coats and outer garments and place in a tray along with your purse, laptop, backpack, etc. If you have one, you also must remove your one quart-sized, zip-top bag of liquid, gel or aerosol products from your carryon bag and place it in a bin to be screened.

Restricted Items

Some items simply cannot be taken with you on an airplane. These include-but are not limited to-incendiary devices or explosives and hazardous materials. Some items are banned by federal regulations, while others are left up to the discretion of the airlines. If in doubt, call the airline ahead of time regarding their policies or visit  http://www.tsa.gov/travelers for the latest information on prohibited items and the 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons.

Traveling with Children

Be sure to check out the TSA website at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm for information about the screening process for children and what you can bring on board, such as baby formula, breast milk, and other liquids. 

Unaccompanied Minors 

Some airlines offer assistance programs for children traveling alone, known as unaccompanied minors. Most airlines charge fees for unaccompanied minor services. Requests for these services should be made at the time of reservation. Policies vary by airline and each carrier's rules differ.  Please contact the airline for specific guidelines and more information. 

Pets & Travel

Depending on an airline's policies, pets may travel either as carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or air-cargo. Carry-on pets must travel in cases small enough to fit under the seat in front of the passenger. Pets traveling independently of a companion are considered air cargo.

To fly, animals must travel in U.S. Department of Agriculture approved kennels. Animals should be healthy and fit to travel and must be accompanied by a veterinarian-issued health certificate that is no more than seven to 10 days old.

Additional charges apply for shipping or bringing pets on-board. These vary from airline to airline and are based on the animal's size and weight. Passengers traveling with their pets may reserve a spot for them on the plane or check them as baggage upon arrival at the airport. Some airlines prohibit pet travel in the cargo hold when the weather is extremely hot or cold.

Signs identifying live, poisonous or wild animals are required on animal shipments to protect both the animals and the people handling them. To ship an animal as air cargo, airlines ask that the name and address of the shipper and recipient be clearly visible on the kennel. In addition, special information about care is required for certain types of animals such as fish, reptiles, insects or worms.

For additional information about pets and travel, check with your airline.
Delta Connection: 1-888-SEND-PETS (1-888-736-3738)
US Airways:  The airline is no longer transporting pets. Pets can be counted as a carry-on in some cases. Service dogs are welcome.

Passport Information

A valid U.S. passport is now required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.  To obtain a passport for the first time, you must go in person to a passport acceptance facility located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.  Visit http://travel.state.gov/passport for a list of these facilities and to find out how to obtain a passport.

Passport information can be obtained free of charge by calling 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) and for TDD/TTY users, the number is 1-888-874-7793. Customer service representatives and operators are available Monday-Friday, from 6 a.m. to midnight, and on Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. There is also a 24-hour, 7-day automated information system.