Frequently Asked Questions

Flight and Travel Information

The TSA recommends passengers arrive 2 hours for domestic flights, and 3 hours for international flights, prior to their scheduled boarding time. Arriving early can also significantly reduce travel-related stress. We advise planning ahead, allowing ample drive time and parking/drop-off time, to ensure you reach your airline ticket counter 2 or 3 hours before you board.

The airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. However, the TSA and airlines are independent of the airport and their hours are subject to vary. If you are unsure of when check-in begins for your flight, please review your ticket information or contact your airline.

The TSA security checkpoint hours are below:

T1, A Gates: 3:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Serving Air Canada, Delta, United and charter flights.
T1, C Gates: 3:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Serving American, Southern Airways, Alaska, and Frontier
T2, E Gates: 3:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Serving Southwest and international charter flights.

Note: TSA is responsible for items lost in the security areas at STL. Passengers can email STL-LostFound@tsa.dhs.gov or utilize TSA.gov’s online web form for lost and found inquires.

You can check estimated TSA Wait Times here.

Think of the airport like a shopping mall, and the airlines are like stores inside of it. Each airline is a separate company providing independent service. You may make purchases at the ticket counter for the desired airline using a debit or credit card. The airport is not involved in the ticketing process, but you can click here to start shopping directly with our airlines.

Ticket prices (called “fares”) are determined solely by the airline. The fares will vary based on the date, time, and demand for your desired flight, among other factors and fees.

The Department of Homeland Security has granted Missouri an extension for REAL ID enforcement. This extension allows the TSA to accept current Missouri Driver’s Licenses for domestic travel through May 7, 2025. After this date, you will need a REAL-ID Act compliant license for domestic travel.

A passport is, and will continue to be, required for all U.S. passengers flying international.

The TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need to have a valid form of identification. Children under the age of 18 traveling alone are not required to have ID; however, contact your specific airline for their ID requirements that may differ from TSA. All travelers flying internationally do require a Passport.

Airport Information Services is happy to help. Hours of operation are 7:00am – 11:00pm daily. The Information Booth can be reached by calling: (314) 890-1333 for Terminal 1 or (314) 890-1311 for Terminal 2.

Our main Information Booth is located in the Terminal 1 Baggage Claim area between carousels 4 and 5. The Information Booth provides paging services and assistance to airport visitors with questions regarding baggage claim locations, ticket counters, meeting areas, ground transportation, directions, hotel shuttle services and more.

Terminal 2 passengers can contact the Information Booth by cell phone, or via courtesy phones which are located by Gate E10 and in the lower-level across from the Southwest Airlines Baggage Office.

Baggage and Security

The federal government, specifically the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), determines what items are safe for air travel, and regulates the items that can be brought onboard aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a division of the DHS, which enforces those regulations at the security checkpoints.

The TSA has an awesome, interactive guide for travelers on their website: www.TSA.gov. In the upper right-hand corner of each webpage, is a search bar where you can enter specific items in question, and it will populate an answer. Common searches include: medication, piercings, breast milk, formula, artificial joints, and lighters.

It’s best to know before you go, so be sure to use that handy feature to check any items you aren’t sure about before arriving at the airport.

When traveling with a firearm, please review the TSA restrictions and requirements at Transporting Firearms

For security reasons, personal items are not permitted to be left unattended in the airport. We are unable to provide any lockers or other storage spaces for belongings at this time.

It can definitely be stressful when something personal gets left behind. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

The St. Louis Airport Police Department maintains a lost and found section. Inquiries may be made Monday thru Friday from 9– 4 p.m., Central Time, at (314) 890-1370.
It also is recommended that passengers with lost items contact their airline as well.

Per federal regulation, only ticketed passengers are permitted beyond the security checkpoints. Please inquire with your airline regarding obtaining a gate pass, which are issued at their sole discretion, and only if in accordance with both TSA regulations and their company policy.

Because each airline is a separate company from one other, each airline is subject to their own policies regarding luggage, carry-ons and fees. Any questions regarding these topics are best directed to your airline, as they can provide the information you need. They may also have helpful information on their website that could answer your questions.

Parking and Transportation

The airport has 7 different airport parking options to choose from, each with varying features and price points. You can shop the lot that’s right for you at www.SuperParkingLot.com

Whether you are picking up or dropping off, all oversized vehicles should follow roadway signage to DEPARTURES at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 . There is space allotted for large vehicles just past Entry 6 at Terminal 1, and Entry 3 at Terminal 2.

Oversized vehicles may include, but are not limited to, buses, campers, motor homes and box trucks.

The Metrolink is available at both Terminal 1 and 2. You will find information about the Metrolink as well as other ground transportation options on our Transportation & Parking page.

Super Park shuttles run 24 hours a day to all Super Park lots (A, B, C, D, and E). Shuttles are scheduled to pickup passengers every 15 minutes. Shuttle hours may vary to non-airport parking lots. If you parked off-site, please inquire with your parking provider regarding their hours of shuttle operation.

STL Airport provides a free Terminal Shuttle which runs 24 hours a day between Exit 12 at Terminal 1 and Door 10 at Terminal 2. There is no route to walk between terminals at this time. Shuttle ride time is approximately 10 minutes, as Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are just over one mile apart. Shuttles are scheduled to pick up passengers every 8-15 minutes. If you encounter an extended delay, please call (314) 890-2880 for a dispatch.

Southern Airways Express does provide limited, post-security shuttle service between concourses for their connecting passengers. If you are a passenger on Southern Airways Express and have a connecting flight, please call 314-332-1230 to request a shuttle.

If you have questions about booking a connecting flight out of a different terminal, or are wondering whether or not you will have time to make a connecting flight in a different terminal, please consult your airlines. Passengers with connecting flights in different terminals will be required to go through TSA security screening, as is required by the Department of Homeland Security.

Assistance and Special Needs

Wheelchair services are provided free of charge by the airlines for their passengers. A trained staff member will escort and assist the traveler through the entire airport process. Please contact your airline in advance to request this service.

Passengers may also contact the information booth upon arrival at the airport for their departing flight, and request that an escort be dispatched to their location.

There are three Lactation Suites for mothers who need a place to breastfeed or breastpump. They are located post-security in each concourse near gates A10, C9 and E33. Each suite is ADA-compliant, featuring sinks, power outlets, spacious counters, a full-back club chair with a moveable arm table, and additional seating for those with children or other traveling companions.

For information on traveling with breast milk, formula, or breast pumps, please visit: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/spe…

We invite travelers to visit the airport ahead of their flight, to be gently introduced to the airport’s energy and environment. Visitors are welcome to walk around freely and explore the upper and lower areas of the Terminals, observing travelers checking in for their flights, dining and shopping, navigating to their concourse, collecting their baggage upon arrival, and going through security screening. Visitors are unable to access concourses and gate areas, as federal regulations permit only tickets passengers beyond the security checkpoints.

TSA Cares is a national helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, anxiety, or other special circumstances, additional assistance during the security screening process. They can be reached at (855) 787-2227. Call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.

The TSA also provides on-site Passenger Support Specialists. Travelers requiring special accommodations, or who are concerned about the security screening process, may ask a TSA officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist who can provide on-the-spot assistance.

It is always helpful to have open communication with the airline and flight attendants about special needs or fears. We encourage travelers to feel comfortable contacting your airline in advance regarding any questions or concerns. Once at the airport, it is also helpful to communicate your fears, concerns or special needs with airline staff before departure, or during your flight. Airline staff are trained to deal with all types of passengers, and welcome the opportunity to make travelers feel more comfortable and assured.

Wheelchair assistance is provided for free by each airline. Having a trained personal escort throughout the airport experience can reduce anxiety for the traveler, along with their loved ones. Please contact your airline in advance for the best accommodation of this service.

Please contact your airline regarding information on traveling with emotional support or service animals.

Additional Information

Juice Jacking is a type of cyberattack where criminals use public charging stations, such as those found in airports, shopping malls or other public spaces, to steal data from mobile devices or install malware onto them. Click here to discover how you can stay cyber safe.

When you fly an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in the United States, sometimes called a drone, it is your responsibility to understand and abide by the rules. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has posted important regulation information for UAS users on their website: https://www.faa.gov/uas/

If flying drones within 5 miles of St. Louis Lambert International Airport:

Hobbyists are required to contact the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower in advance at: 314-890-4703
For non-hobbyists, the initial coordination/setup would be as indicated on the website: https://www.faa.gov/uas

Those providing cargo services at STL include:

Alaska Airlines Cargo Services: 314-426-3778 (Air General)

American Airlines Cargo Services: 314-426-3778 (Air General)

Delta Air Lines Cargo Services: 314-426-3778 (Air General)

FedEx: 1-800-463-3339

Southwest Airlines Cargo Services: 314-592-6200

United Airlines Cargo Services: 314-426-3778 (Air General)

UPS: 1-800-742-5877