Greetings outside security Terminal 2 South (Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines)– greeters are always welcome to greet our Heroes outside security as the arrive at DCA or depart from DCA.  Please note these times can be influenced by unexpected travel delays or early arrivals.  Please take this into consideration when planning your trip to DCA.  The schedule of arrival times into DCA, and the time the hubs are due back at the airport, are on our scheduling page.

To greet outside security, just show up at the Terminal number listed on the scheduling page.  There is no limit to the number of people that can greet outside security!  If driving, park in the corresponding terminal parking garage. For arrivals, please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the estimated time of arrival.  You should also be able to track the flight # on a smartphone app such as Flight Aware of Flight Tracker.   For departures, please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled return time to the airport to allow for early arrivals back to the airport.

• If greeting a flight arriving in Terminal 2 South (Alaska and Delta) – the Veterans will exit security on the lower level by Door 1 and 2. This is the best greeting spot outside security along this short corridor.  Greeters can continue outside to wave them off after they load the buses.  See map below.
• If greeting a flight departing in Terminal 2 South (Alaska and Delta) you can either line up outside on the upper level Door 1-2 where the buses park, or line up inside Door 1 – 2 as they make their way down the escalators or elevators to TSA.  Another option is to greet them as they exit the elevators or escalators on level 2 on their way to the TSA checkpoint.  See map below.

Greetings inside security – Terminal 2 South (Alaska)

Alaska Airlines at DCA typically will provide an unlimited number of non-escort gate passes (“GAP”) for Honor Flight arrivals and departures.

Gate passes are provided at the sole discretion of the airline, so please keep in mind that the ability to provide gate passes for flights arriving on Alaska Airlines is dependent on the availability of DCA Alaska Airline personnel to process and pass out these gate passes.  Honor Flight Network or the DCA Ground Crew has no control over the issuance or distribution of gate passes.

To request a gate pass for an Alaska Airlines arrival or departure, go to our scheduling page and find the corresponding link “Request a gate pass here” for the flight desired. NOTE: if a link is not visible less than 30 days from the flight date, gate passes are not available for that particular flight.  Gate pass forms typically close 36 hours prior to the flight date.

Everyone must request a gate pass – even babes in arms.  Once a request is made, a detailed email will be sent about 36 hours prior to the flight date from dca.honorflight.gap@gmail.com with parking options and instructions on picking up your gate pass on flight date.

Keep in mind that by requesting a gate pass, you will need to arrive and be parked at the airport at least 1 hour prior to the flight arrival or departure to pick up your gate pass and clear security.  Gate passes must be picked up at the Alaska Airlines ticket counter on Level 3 on flight date, upon presentation of a government ID. Each individual must pick up their own GAP.

Any questions, please email dca.honorflight.gap@gmail.com.

Terminal 2 South Map (Alaska Airlines and Delta)

For arrivals – enter Door #1 or 2 on the lower level of Terminal 2.  Veterans will exit security in the area indicated by the escalator / elevator icon and go out Doors 1 and/or 2 to load the buses; which will be in the outside lanes.  Arrival greeting location is indicated by the green square.  This space is rather small and there are no places to sit while you wait.  There are restrooms close by.

For departures – buses will drop off on the upper level Terminal 2 by Doors 1 0r 2.    Greeters can greet the buses on the curb (indicated by green box) as they pull up.  The Veterans will take adjacent elevators or escalators down to Level 2 to clear security.  See map of Upper Level greeting location indicated by a green box.

Greeters can take the adjacent escalators or elevators and continue on to Level 2 by the South TSA entrance; or can gather there as the initial location to greet the Veterans.  See map below of Terminal 2 South Level 2.  Greeting location indicated by green box.