Current Airport Procedures

• Domestic to/from the U.S. and Canada flights: 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) prior to departure.
• International flights (including Mexico and the Caribbean): 3 hours prior to departure.
• Check-in and Boarding Requirements:
    
  Domestic Flights: Passengers must be checked in at least 30 minutes and on-board at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure time for flights within the US.  Exception: Check-in 45 minutes before departure in Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark, Tampa and Washington D.C-Dulles and 60 minutes before departure in New York-JFK.
    
  International Flights: Passengers must be checked in at least 60 minutes and on-board at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for flights to/from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and all other International flights.
    
  Important Note: Passengers not checked in by the designated times may have their pre-assigned seat assignment and reserved space canceled and will not be eligible for denied boarding compensation. Boarding passes may be obtained at nwa.com check-in, a Northwest Airlines self-service check-in kiosk or any Northwest check-in position.

• All passengers age 18 and older will be required to present valid government-issued photo identification (federal, state, or local). Example: driver's license or passport.
• In the absence of government issued photo identification, two forms of identification will be required, one of which must be government-issued. Example: social security card and a frequent flyer card.
• New U.S. Passport Requirements for U.S., Canadian, Mexican, Caribbean Travel
  U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a mandate (The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) that phases in new passport requirements for all travelers to and from the Americas (including Mexico, Panama, and Canada), the Caribbean, and Bermuda. This will require a passport or other accepted form of documentation (U.S. Permanent Resident Card, DHS Travel Document/Refugee Document or Re-entry Permit, or other passport-replacing document) when entering or leaving the United States. This initiative has been implemented in phases, with the proposed timeline as follows:
  • On January 23, 2007 - All passengers including U.S., Canadian and Bermudian nationals are required to hold a valid passport (or valid passport replacing document as described above, i.e. U.S. Permanent Resident Card, DHS Travel Document etc.) to enter the United States if entering/leaving by air. This requirement applies to all air travel to or from the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Canada.
  • On January 31, 2008 - Oral declarations of citizenship are no longer accepted at land/sea border crossings. Some form of documentation proving citizenship is required. For details see http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/.
  • On June 1, 2009 - Land/Sea border crossing requirements become identical to the air travel requirements implemented on January 23, 2007.

For more information please visit: www.travel.state.gov or www.dhs.gov

Only the following will be allowed to pass through the security checkpoint:

• Passengers holding boarding pass or standby verification card for that day's flight
• Parent/guardian of unaccompanied minors traveling alone
• Escort for passengers with disabilities or special needs
• Customers with approved business needs inside the terminal (including Delta Sky Club^TM)

Passengers will be asked to present government-issued identification prior to entering the security checkpoint and must carry government-issued identification with them at all times. All enhanced screening formerly done at the gate will be done at the security checkpoint.

Parents, guardians or assistants accompanying minors or passengers with special needs should check at the airport check-in counter for authorization to pass beyond security checkpoints with a gate pass. If the ticket counter is closed authorization is obtained by Baggage Services.

Gate passes are provided free of charge at the airport and issued under certain circumstances noted below. You will need to speak to an airport check-in agent for assistance in obtaining a gate pass. This policy is applicable to flights departing the U.S. only. Due to immigration requirements gate passes are not issued by non-U.S. airports or when an international flight is arriving in the U.S.

The following situations are eligible for the issuance of a gate pass:

• Parent/Guardian of minors under 18 traveling alone, or children that will be met at a connecting city and picked up by a parent or guardian. Note: Children do not have to participate in the Unaccompanied Minor Program for a parent or guardian to be issued a gate pass. Please see additional information about unaccompanied minors.
• Escort for elderly passengers or passengers with disabilities needing assistance. This may include someone who will push the wheelchair, provide transfer assistance in/out of the seat, provide extensive personal assistance not provided by airline personnel such as feeding/within lavatory or a sign language interpreter.
• Oxygen providers. This may be an employee from a medical oxygen company who the customer has contracted with to provide oxygen on the ground or a friend or family member who will bring the oxygen to/from the gate area.
• Military families. Families of military service personnel are permitted through the screening checkpoint with a gate pass for both departing and arriving military family members.

• Travelers should not bring wrapped packages on-board the aircraft. Due to heightened airport security measures and the random and thorough nature of security searches, wrapped packages will be opened.
• Please include your unwrapped gifts/packages with your checked luggage or
• Ship your packages in advance of your departure

Passengers should know about carry-on and checked baggage policies

• Parking is available in the designated parking areas but airport parking facilities can be full during peak travel season. If you are dropping off or picking up a passenger it is important that your vehicle remains attended. Unattended vehicles are banned at terminals.