Attention Travelers: Increased Passenger Levels for Spring Break Travel

Due to the high volume of passengers, we advise all travelers to arrive at the airport more than 2 hours prior to their scheduled departure time. For more tips and information, please visit our Traveler Tips page HERE >

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Travel Tips

The best tips for business and leisure travelers, those flying alone or with a family, for a short trip or a long vacation.

Travel Tips

Packing Tips

Traveling with Kids

Traveling with Pets

Military Personnel

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Travel-Tips

Make Air Travel Easy With These Tips

Traveling can be stressful, and navigating an airport at extremely late or early hours can make the process even more exhausting. To take the stress out of your trip, we’ve compiled these flying and airport tips for travelers of all kinds. Whether you’re flying for business or leisure, you’re by yourself or traveling with your family, you’re traveling with a pet, or you're meeting a loved one who is military personnel, we have tips for a smooth visit to GFIA.

The Day of Departure
At The Airport
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Travel-Tips-Packing

Packing Tips

When you are preparing for your trip, remember to pack smart and pack safe.

Packing Checklist
Other Tips
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Tips for Traveling with Kids

Keep in mind your child's "best" and "worst" times of day when planning your departure. A flight at 6:30 in the morning may work well for you, but not so well for kids who tend to be cranky that early. Likewise, a late-night flight may find your kids either sleeping peacefully or wide awake.

When you're carrying luggage through crowded airports, make sure you have at least one free hand to hold onto a small child. If you're a parent, bring bags with shoulder straps and pack a backpack for your child.

Note:

Photo ID is required for all passengers age 18 and older. Children under age 18 are not required to have a photo ID.

What to Bring
Traveling with Babies
Flying While Pregnant
Children Flying Solo
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Travel-Tips-Pets

Traveling with Pets

Please be aware that all animals must remain in travel carriers at all times when in the passenger terminal building. This restriction does not apply to registered or certified service animals. There is a pet relief area outside on the west end of the terminal building where we suggest owners take their animals before departing. Animals that are not flying and are non-service animals are NOT allowed inside the airport terminal building. Violators will be asked to leave.

Please do not leave your pets unattended in vehicles. Pets can quickly suffer and die when left inside parked cars in extreme heat and cold, even for a short amount of time. For their safety, we advise leaving your furry friends at home, if you are picking someone up at the Airport.


It is important to note that this information does NOT apply to assistance animals. For specific information regarding the use of assistance animals on any flight, please contact your airline.

Animal Requirements
Airline Requirements
Animal Welfare
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Travel-Tips-Military

Military Personnel

The Military Welcome Center is open to military members, veterans, and their families 24 hours a day. The center offers charging stations, an airport arrival/departure monitor, and lounging space, as well as veteran profiles and programming offered by WGVU and PBS. There are also interactive maps and murals where military personnel and veterans can pinpoint where they have been stationed or deployed.

The Military Welcome Center is provided through a partnership with SpartanNash and GFIA. SpartanNash is the leading distributor of grocery products to U.S. military commissaries and a grocery retailer and food distributor headquartered in West Michigan for more than 100 years.

Departing Personnel
Arriving Personnel
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Find the Comforts of West Michigan

GFIA offers a comfortable atmosphere with plenty of places to shop, eat, play, and work.