John Wayne Airport (JWA) offers the following travel tips to help passengers prepare for a safe and enjoyable air travel experience.

• plan ahead

  • international travelers

  • JWA welcomes international travelers. Nonstop flights to and from Canada and Mexico are now available. Please see below for important links to help you prepare for your trip:

    • Welcome to the United States

      • View a video from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
      • Visit the CBP website for more information

    • Visa and Passport Requirements

      The U.S. Department of State offers information on international travel requirements, travel tips and country-specific information at TRAVEL.STATE.GOV.

    • Traveling from Canada

      Passengers traveling south from Canada to the United States will be able to take advantage of the customs preclearance system in Canada. For faster service, NEXUS members flying to the United States are also now able to use NEXUS cards in designated security lines for pre-board screening at airports in Vancouver and Calgary.
      More information about NEXUS...

    • Travelers Health Information

      Tips on recommended immunizations and destination-specific health information for international travelers:
      CDC.GOV - Travelers Health

    • Consulate Services

      Consulate General of Canada Los Angeles
       
      Consulado General de México en Los Angeles

    • Currency Exchange

      John Wayne Airport does not offer currency exchange services.

      The following services are located near the Airport:

      American Express link
      650 Anton Boulevard, Suite A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
      (714) 540-3611

      City National Bank link
      Orange County Airport Branch
      18111 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612
      (949) 223-4007

      Travelex World Wide Money link
      South Coast Plaza
      3333 Bristol Street, Suite 1874, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
      (714) 751-1203

      Travelex World Wide Money link
      Downtown Disney
      1565 S. Disneyland Dr., Suite 104, Anaheim, CA 92802
      (714) 502-0811

  • get to know the airport

  • Be sure to peruse our Web site to find maps, Airport alerts and other pertinent travel information:

    • Directions
    • Terminal Map
    • Parking Map
    • Ground Transportation Map

     
    Find links to other airports on the Nonstop Destinations page.

  • get the scoop about current security requirements

  • The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for the security screening checkpoints and the checked baggage searches. The TSA offers a myriad of information and multiple tips on their Web site at: www.tsa.gov/travelers.

    TSA Cares Helpline: Travelers with medical conditions and disabilities can call toll-free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling to ask questions about screening policies, procedures and about what to expect at the security checkpoints. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. PST, excluding federal holidays. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can e-mail: TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

    
    Please consider the following tips when preparing for your flight:

    Thoroughly check your baggage before leaving for the airport to avoid mistakenly carrying on prohibited items. View prohibited items list.

    All carry-on items (including cell phones, lap-tops and film) will be x-rayed. Be prepared to place cell phones, keys, pagers, etc. in a carry-on bag, take laptops out of their carrying case, and take coats, jackets and shoes off for X-ray inspection. Separately, pack all permitted liquids contained in one quart-size zip-top bag to be placed into a security bin.

    “1+1” rule: You are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item – such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera case – through security screening and onto the aircraft.

    3-1-1 For Carry-Ons: The amount of liquids, gels or aerosols you may carry through the security checkpoints is restricted by the TSA to 3.4 ounce (100ml) or smaller size containers of liquid or gel in 1 quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag allowing 1 bag per traveler placed in the security bin. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.

    Snow globes that appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces (approximately tennis ball size) will be permitted in carry-on luggage if the entire snow globe, including the base, is able to fit in the same one clear, plastic, quart-sized, re-sealable bag, as the passenger’s other liquids. Larger sizes may be packed in checked baggage.

    Declare larger liquids: The items listed below are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces and are not required to be in a zip-top bag. Passengers are requested to declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint:

    • Prescription and over-the-counter medications
    • Baby formula, breast milk and juice. View more information.
    • Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition.

    Do not wrap gifts. Gifts are subject to search, even if placed in checked baggage.

    Fireworks are prohibited.

  • Check-In Online and Print Your Boarding Pass

  • To save time at the Airport, visit your airline's website from the convenience of your home or mobile phone. Online check-in may not be available for international destinations. You can find a list of airlines operating at John Wayne Airport here: airlines.

  • Check Your Flight Status and Track Your Flight

  • OCAIR.COM offers real-time flight status information. Enter your flight number, city and/or airline in the left column of this page or go to www.ocair.com/airlines/FIDS.

  • plan to get to the airport early

  • John Wayne Airport encourages travelers to plan ahead and arrive at the Airport 1-½-to-2 hours prior to departure time for domestic flights, and 3 hours for international flights. This will allow time to comfortably park and complete the check-in and security screening process, and will ensure you'll be at your gate in time for the flight. In the early morning you may require extra time due to the heavy travel volume. Give yourself a break, come early and enjoy our new shops and restaurants. Get a sneak preview here: Restaurants | Shops

  • bring your government-issued photo ID

  • You will need your identification (ID) for the security screening process. Security personnel will check your ID and boarding pass at the entrance to the checkpoints. Having your ID and boarding pass available will cut down on wait time in line. Children under the age of 18 do not require an ID. If traveling internationally, please read the tips for International Travelers above.

• get to the airport

  • passenger drop-off/pick-up

  • Consider these extra tips for dropping off or picking up passengers:
    Park your car for an economical $2/hour in one of our Terminal parking structures. Two-hour parking spots are available on Level 1 of Parking Structures A1 (best option for Terminal A), B2 (best option for Terminals B and C) and C (best option for Terminal C). All parking structures are accessible from the Departure (upper) Level only.
    Only ticketed passengers will be allowed beyond the security screening checkpoints. You can say your 'farewell' in the ticket counter area on the Departure (upper) Level, or greet your party in the baggage claim area on the Arrival (lower) Level. A popular meeting point for incoming passengers is the John Wayne Statue, adjacent to the car rental counters. Read here about the Duke: John Wayne Statue.
    

  • parking and ground transportation options

  • View detailed information about Parking and Ground Transportation options.

• at the airport

  • use curbside check-in service when available

  • Skycap are available to assist you with your baggage and boarding pass. This will enable you to bypass the ticket counter and you can proceed to the security checkpoints. If you have a boarding pass and no baggage to check in you may go directly to the security checkpoints.
    Curbside check-in service is offered by the following airlines:

    • American Airlines
    • Delta Airlines/Delta Connection
    • Southwest Airlines
    • United Airlines

  • check-in and print your boarding pass at a self-service kiosk in the terminal

  • Avoid long lines and speed up your travel! For your convenience, self-service kiosks for most airlines are available throughout the ticket counter lobby in close proximity to all ticket counters. Self-service kiosks are not available for AirTran Airways and Interjet.

  • security checkpoints

  • JWA has security checkpoints in each Terminal (A, B and C) for access to the gate areas. The checkpoints are staffed by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. Any gates can be accessed from any security checkpoint. Be sure to have your ID and boarding pass ready when approaching the checkpoint. Read more about current security requirements in the "Plan Ahead" section above.

  • grab a bite to eat or enjoy some shopping

  • Newly remodeled restaurants and shops await you at the Thomas F. Riley Terminal. Check them out here: Restaurants | Shops

  • gates

  • JWA has 22 commercial (Gates 2-22) and 6 commuter gates (gates 1A, B, C and 22A, B, C), which are numbered from the north to the south. All gates can easily be accessed from any Terminal.
    View a map of the Terminal.