By Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Last week Stephanie King, Ontario International Airport’s director of community engagement, spoke about three programs available to travelers during a Claremont Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast. On Tuesday, Ontario Airport Public Information Officer Steve Lambert expanded on the discussion.

Ont+ visitors pass

Unveiled last November, the “Ont+” visitors pass “allows the non-traveling public to visit ONT and enjoy the amenities on the post-security side of the passenger terminal,” according to a description at flyontario.com/ontplus. “It’s kind of a hearkening back to the old days where you used to be able to take family members right up to the gate or pick somebody right up at the gate,” said Lambert. “That all changed after 9/11 with the enhanced security.”

To apply, visitors must complete the form at flyontario.com/ontplus for a digital visitors pass. Printed passes are not accepted.

“It works just like an airline ticket,” Lambert said. “It’s been a really popular program. We have roughly 4,000 people per month use it now.”

As part of its partnership with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Ontario International Airport has available lanyards with sunflower badges, signifying to airport and airline staff that a person has a hidden disability. Photo/courtesy of Steve Lambert

Lambert said many have used the new pass to see an elderly loved one to his or her gate, or young children who are flying alone. Anyone can apply for a pass. Normal Transportation Security Administration rules apply. Adults will need to present their photo IDs at security check-in.

“ONT+ visitors are subject to the same security regulations as passengers boarding an aircraft and must comply with TSA’s screening procedures, including not bringing items prohibited by TSA and complying with the 3-1-1 Liquids Rules,” the ONT+ webpage read. The 3-1-1 liquids rule at tsa.gov specifies travelers are able to bring 3.4 ounce-sized travel containers of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes that fit inside one quart-sized bag that’s placed in a carry-on bag.

Expedited screening and trusted traveler programs, such as TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, cannot be used with the ONT+ pass.

Learn more at flyontario.com/ontplus.

Airport is sunflower partner

Since June 2023, Ontario International Airport has been handing out lanyards with sunflower badges as part of its partnership with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

The sunflower program — introduced in 2016 at London’s Gatwick Airport — is meant to signify to TSA, airport and airline staff that a person wearing the lanyard has a hidden disability and may need accommodations. Other international airports that participate in the program include Austin-Bergstrom, Charlotte Douglas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, New York City’s John F. Kennedy, San Jose Mineta, and Seattle-Tacoma.

“There are individuals who are dealing with disabilities that are very, very visible. They may be in a wheelchair or something else,” Lambert said. “But there are those whose disability isn’t necessarily apparent. The purpose of this program is to let other people know at the airport that this individual might need a little extra help.”

Disabilities that qualify range from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, autism, Crohn’s disease, dementia, type one and two diabetes, dyslexia, epilepsy, hemophilia, long COVID-19, lupus, migraines, pancreatic cancer, and Tourette syndrome. A full list of qualifying disabilities is at hdsunflower.com.

To request a lanyard, visit the Traveler’s Aid desk on the first floor in either terminal two or four, or the ticket counter of any participating airline. A lanyard can also be mailed up to three weeks prior to a flight via email to oaces@flyontario.com.

Visitors can also speak to an Ontario Airport staff member or an airline representative at check-in. To learn more, visit flyontario.com/sunflower-program.

Newly installed science center

A new science center, in partnership with California Science Center, opened in June near terminal four adjacent to Subway.

“We want to create a sense of place in the airport so when people arrive there, whether they’re taking off and they have a little extra time in the airport or they just landed and they’ve never been to Ontario or the Inland Empire before, we want to give them a sense of what’s around,” Lambert said. “If you ever fly into Charlotte, North Carolina, when you walk through the terminal there are these big, grand white rocking chairs. You kind of get where you’re at, we’re in the south, we’re in the Carolinas, there’s that sense of place and so we’re trying to create that here.”

Equipped with lounge furniture and screens touting Science Center exhibits, the center provides travelers an opportunity to pass the time as they wait for their flight.

“Kids want experiences, they don’t want to just sit in the terminal, so it’s a great thing for parents with kids just to come in and sit in and sort of experience these cool videos,” Lambert said.

Those with airline tickets or Ont+ passes can enjoy the amenity.

“It’s this sort of free lounge area,” he said. “You can just walk right in and sit.”

For more info, visit flyontario.com and scroll to “news and updates.”