Updated May 15, 2021
Almost all destinations have relaxed restrictions. If you are flying out of TUS, Hawaii is the only destination in the United States that requires passengers to provide documentation on arrival. (More on that in the answers to questions 6-8 below.)
Thank you for choosing Tucson International Airport. (Read a message from our CEO here.)
If you find a flight at a fare you feel is reasonable, book it. With passengers returning to travel faster than was previously anticipated, tickets on some flights are selling quickly. Airlines are recalling crews and putting aircraft back into service but in some cases it’s not fast enough to meet demand. Summer airfares are trending up and by August will be within 2% of what they were in 2019, according to an analysis by Hopper. Remember, too, that airlines have eliminated change fees on all but basic economy fares so in many cases you will be able to change your ticket later. (More about that in the answer to question 2.)
If there has been a consumer benefit that has come from the current situation it is that Alaska, American, Delta and United airlines have permanently ended change fees on all but basic economy fare tickets. (Southwest Airlines has never charged change fees.) Ultra-low fare airlines Allegiant, Frontier and Sun Country are keeping their normal change fee policies except that Allegiant has temporarily reduced the fee to $25 per person, per flight segment. In all cases, passengers pay the difference if the fare on the new flight is higher than the original fare.
For specifics click the link for your airline:
Alaska Airlines
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
United Airlines
You should be able to use the credit to make a new reservation online. Review the confirmation you received from your airline for specific information such as your ticket number and the date of the original purchase or the date the credit was issued. Once you have that, click on your airline’s name below for a link to begin making your new reservation. If you created an account with your airline, you probably will be asked to sign-in to it. If you did not buy your ticket directly from an airline at TUS, contact the airline or service where you purchased the original ticket.
Alaska Airlines
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Frontier Airlines – book your new flight and select “Frontier Credit” on the payments page to apply your credit
Southwest Airlines – book a flight as you would normally do (search by dollars, not points) and select Travel Funds on the payment screen to apply your credit
Sun Country Airlines
United Airlines
If you require additional help, phone numbers for the airlines at TUS are here.
Yes, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals who have been fully vaccinated – defined as 14 days after receiving the prescribed number of doses for the vaccine you have taken – can resume travel at low risk to themselves, according to a statement the agency issued April 2, 2021. (Read the CDC statement here.)
It’s unlikely you will be asked to show your vaccination card as part of the normal process departing TUS, but it’s a good idea to bring it with you and keep it in a safe place, just in case. Any requirement for proof of vaccination will be at your destination. Most likely you will be asked to complete a form where you will provide specific information that can be verified. Your card will have some of this information. For international travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information here.
No, the guidance issued May 13, 2021, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically says face masks still must be worn when traveling on planes. The federal order that went into effect. February 2, 2021, requires all persons ages 2 and above to wear a mask in airports, including Tucson International Airport, and on airline flights. Read the CDC’s guidance here.
Yes, if you are going to Hawaii. It is the only U.S. domestic destination that does not consider vaccination an exemption from its restrictions. International arrivals coming in to the United States still must continue to follow the requirements described in the answer to question 11 below.
No, while the free test administered by Paradigm Labs is a PCR test that meets the standards set by the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments), Hawaii officials have declined to include them as a partner. To satisfy Hawaii’s regulations, test providers charge a fee. In the Tucson area, Costco, CVS Health and Walgreens offer COVID-19 tests that are approved by Hawaii. You should also check with your airline as some provide access to other alternatives.
No, there no longer are any destinations in the United States that have mandatory requirements for arrivals from Arizona to quarantine. Be aware some destinations have different requirements for passengers arriving from states other than Arizona. There are also destinations that recommend, but do not require, arrivals to quarantine. For international travel, the U.S. Department of State has information here.
As of January 26, 2021, all passengers ages 2 and older on international flights entering the United States must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within three calendar days of the day of departure or have proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days. This includes U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents. Airlines are required by U.S. law to deny boarding to any passenger who cannot furnish the documentation at the point of departure for the international flight. Arizona has no additional mandates so nothing more needs to be provided upon arrival at TUS.
The U.S. Department of State has information here.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has answers to questions on the requirement here.
Generally, do as you always would have done. Check-in for your flight remotely if you can and have your boarding passes either on your mobile device or printed when you arrive at the airport. (It is still possible to check-in at the airport, if necessary.) Bring and wear a cloth face covering in the terminal and on your flights. (As of February 2, 2021, it is a federal mandate.) It’s also a good idea to bring disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer for yourself. When you arrive at TUS please adhere to the signage and floor markers for safe social distancing. You can check current status of today’s flights at TUS here.
Yes, there are several changes. Among them, an individual can temporarily carry-on one larger liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces and food items in clear plastic bags. These items must be removed from your carry-on bag and screened separately. More about TSA changes on the TUS Security page here.
So far that hasn’t been necessary in most cases but with increasing numbers of passengers, lines are returning at the TSA checkpoints. That said, it’s a good idea to allow extra time around the Memorial Day and July 4th holiday weekends. TSA is working aggressively to ramp up hiring of officers to meet demand. Otherwise, barring unforeseen circumstances or special requirements, arriving at TUS 90 minutes ahead of departure time should still be good.
Many restrictions have been lifted and Tucson and Arizona are returning to normal. Local mandates have been adjusted to reflect the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a face mask in most settings. You will be asked to continue following health safety guidelines and businesses may still require patrons to take specific precautions such as wearing a face mask. Visit Tucson has information here.
No, there is no requirement for a person arriving in Tucson to produce a test result. For peace of mind, arriving passengers can voluntarily take a free COVID-19 test immediately after landing at Tucson International Airport. (Learn more here.)
Not at the present time. Frontier Airlines is conducting temperature screenings of passengers and flight crews before boarding using touchless thermometers. Those with a temperature reading below 100.4° Fahrenheit are allowed to board.
Reach out to your airline well in advance of your flight as documentation may need to be submitted several days before flight time and you may be required to take a pre-travel COVID-19 test. The federal mandate that took effect February 2, 2021, has a narrow exception for persons who cannot wear a mask for reasons related to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If approved, proper documentation must be brought to the airport for travel. The requirement to wear a compliant face covering applies to all passengers ages 2 and older at all airports and on all airlines in the United States.
Non-compliant face coverings include scarves, balaclavas, bandannas, turtlenecks or other collars pulled up over the nose and mouth, masks made of materials with holes large enough to let light shine through such as mesh or lace, some neck gaiters and any mask with an exhalation valve or contains punctures. Face shields can be worn as an addition to a compliant face mask. Clear masks or cloth masks with a clear plastic panel may be used to facilitate communication with people who need to see a speaker’s mouth to understand speech.
The federal mask mandate has been extended to September 13, 2021.
Yes. If you received your vaccination through a pharmacy such as CVS Health, Fry’s or Walgreens, return to the location where you received your most recent dose and they should be able to print a new card from their electronic records. State health agencies also track vaccinations through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Immunization Information Systems. To get a replacement card in Arizona, complete the form here and return it to ASIISHelpDesk@azdhs.gov. More information is at Arizona State Immunization Information System or call (602) 364-3899.
The answer to the last part is no, you do not need a vaccine passport to travel. The idea is to develop a smartphone app for users to show they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. It is a subject of debate. New York is testing one (but not for travel) while other states, such as Florida, have banned their use. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has issued an executive order prohibiting state and local governments from requiring a vaccine passport to receive service or to enter an area. President Biden has gone on record saying there are no plans to develop a national vaccination passport.
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