Oakland, Calif. – December 15, 2025: Returning to an era when airports were spaces for excited “hellos” and heart-felt “goodbyes” or a place to dine and shop, the Oakland San Francisco Bay Area Airport (OAK) is among the first airports in California to allow non-passengers to visit their loved ones at the gates or join them as they depart.

The new OAK Guest Pass Program, which begins today, will allow non-passengers to apply online for security clearance in advance of the day they want to visit the airport. The OAK Guest Pass Program allows the non-traveling public to visit OAK on the post-security side of the passenger terminal to spend more time with their friends and family or shop and dine at the modernized Airport.

“We want OAK to become a meaningful experience for all of our visitors, not just a curbside drive-by experience,” said Kristi McKenney, Port of Oakland Executive Director. “The OAK Guest Pass allows families to spend more precious time with their loved ones as they see them off on their next adventure or welcome them home from one.”

The innovative OAK Guest Pass also coincides with major renovations of the airport’s retail spaces and amenities that modernize and elevate the customer experience. The launch of many Oakland- and East Bay-themed retail and restaurant concessions at OAK showcases the airport’s pride in its local businesses and products. Three locally-themed stores to open recently include Roll East, Oakland Supply Co., and Lake Merritt Essentials, with a total of 16 new retail outlets operating by the end of 2025.

To learn more and apply for an OAK Guest Pass, members of the public can visit: https://www.iflyoak.com/guest-pass/