FAQ

In airport terms, the word “international” in the title of the airport means that the facility has the ability to handle international flights (US Customs, Immigration, etc.). Norfolk International Airport’s Gate A1 is designed for international flights and both US Customs and Immigration have offices onsite. Presently, the airlines serving Norfolk do not offer nonstop flights to international destinations. However, they do offer nonstop flights to their major U.S. hubs, many of which are international gateways, making one-stop international service possible for most itineraries.

The airlines recommend that passengers arrive at the airport 90 minutes prior to scheduled flight time for domestic flights; two hours prior for international flights. This allows ample time for check-in and security screening. It’s always best to reconfirm flight status with the airlines prior to leaving for the airport.

Airline ticket counters open approximately two hours prior to their first scheduled morning departures.

The airport is staffed and occupied by the Norfolk Airport Authority 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. Even in the event of inclement weather conditions, a combination of administrative, police, fire, parking, janitorial, building maintenance, and field maintenance personnel are always on the job.

Very infrequently, the runways are closed for maintenance or snow clearing; however, every effort is made to avoid disrupting airport activity. Decisions to take-off or land in questionable weather are largely the decisions of the individual airlines and though you may hear that “the airport is closed,” it may or may not be true.

During major weather events, Norfolk Airport Authority’s Emergency Operations Center becomes operational to continually monitor and communicate weather conditions and airfield status reports with the airlines and other airport tenants. Should the airfield become unusable due to flooding, lighting or other required infrastructure requirements, we have the right and responsibility to close the airfield by issuing a Notice To Air Missions (NOTAM) that will close any portion of the airfield that is deemed unsafe, including closing the entire airport if necessary.

In real time, the airlines decide to stop flight operations well before winds and rain reach the expected potential. Prior to weather events, all loose items are secured and aircraft may be removed from the flight line and hangars when significant concerns exist. During extreme conditions only those with an operational/security requirement are permitted on the field. Additionally, shelter areas for passengers and employees are provided. Once conditions improve, assessment of the impact to the airfield is made to determine priorities required to resume normal operations.

Gate passes may be issued at the airline ticket counter on the date of flight. Issuance is on a case-by-case basis and is at the discretion of the airline. Non-traveling persons must complete the TSA’s screening requirements to gain access to the gate area.

Gate passes may be issued at the airline ticket counter on the date of flight. Issuance is on a case-by-case basis and is at the discretion of the airline. Non-traveling persons must complete the TSA’s screening requirements to gain access to the gate area.

Airport terminals are open to the public 24 hours daily. Individuals and groups are welcome to self-tour any and all areas that do not require security clearance. Download the self-guided tour here.

Lost and Found departments are maintained by the Norfolk Airport Police Department, the airlines and the TSA.

For items lost within the airport terminals, contact Norfolk Airport Police at 757-857-3823 or email lostandfound@norfolkairport.com.

For items lost aboard the aircraft, contact the airlines at Norfolk International Airport as follows:

Allegiant - 866-719-3910
American – 757-857-3255 
Breeze - Lost & found instructions here
Delta – File a lost & found report here
Frontier - File a lost & found report here
Southwest – 757-233-6790
Spirit - File and lost & found report here
United  – 757-857-3583

Hourly parking is $5.00 per each half hour, or any part thereof, up to a maximum of $25.00 per day.
Daily parking (East parking lot and garages) is $3.00 per each half hour, or any part thereof, up to a maximum of $12.00 per day.

Effective January 15, 2023, cash is not accepted for parking stays. Contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay), all major credit cards and VISA and Master Card debit cards that can be processed as credit cards are accepted. Debit cards cannot be used if a PIN is required. Staffed self-service and credit card only lanes are open 24 hours daily to serve all garages and Hourly surface lots. Self-pay kiosks are open 24 hours daily to serve the Daily East surface parking lot.

Service Response phones are available in all parking garages. Security guards are on duty 24 hours daily. Security escort service between the terminals and parking facilities is also available.

Current federal security regulations mandate that airport operators not allow a vehicle to be left unattended within a certain distance of the Passenger Terminal which specifically includes the immediate curbside adjacent to the Terminal. It is recommended that passengers use curbside check-in (except for international travel), allowing them to remain with their vehicle while checking in.

Check-in at self-service kiosks near airline ticket counters. Delta and Southwest offer curbside check-in. A standard tip for the skycap is $1.00 per bag; more if your luggage is very heavy or if you utilize extra services such as escort or wheelchair assistance.

The Norfolk Airport Authority is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia and is an independent autonomous agency of the City of Norfolk. The Authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners consisting of nine members appointed by Norfolk City Council for four-year terms. The employees of the Authority are not city employees.

The Airport is fully self-sustaining financially through various user fees. The local communities provide no financial assistance for the operation, maintenance and development of the Airport.

There is a public observation area located at the bend on Robin Hood Road adjacent to the Air Cargo Terminal. There is an airport overlook at Norfolk Botanical Garden that features FAA Norfolk Tower live radio transmissions.

Seven airlines offer air service to major cities throughout the United States. Norfolk International presently ranks in the top 13% of the country’s airports in terms of passengers served annually, with over 4.5 million passengers and over 75,000 flight operations in 2023. This includes scheduled passenger and cargo airlines, general aviation, air taxi, and charter flights. In addition, Norfolk International often handles military flights when local base runways undergo repairs.

The primary runway (5-23) is 9,000 feet long for take-offs in both directions, 9,000 feet for landings to southwest, and 8,000 feet for landings northeast. The crosswind runway (14-32) is 4,876 feet long.

It is not economically justified due to limitations of Interstate 64 at one end and Lake Whitehurst at the other.

The Airport Master Plan includes a new parallel runway (5-23) approximately 5500 feet, east of the present primary runway. The Master Plan also reflects the planned closure of the crosswind runway (14-32). These runway projects will be developed based on operational demand and availability of funding.

The nature of freight and express mail determines when it is shipped. Cargo aircraft sit on the ground during the day waiting for the local shipments to accumulate during business hours. During the night it is then sorted, loaded, and flown to the major sorting hubs such as Memphis, Louisville, or Dayton to be sorted and loaded onto other aircraft which will then deliver it to its final destination early in the business day.

Airport Police Officers are sworn state certified law enforcement officers and are vested with police power of arrest under Section 144 (c) (01) Charter of the City of Norfolk, Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia of 1918, as amended. They like, the City of Norfolk, the City of Virginia Beach, the City of Portsmouth, and the City of Hampton police officers, take an oath to support the constitution of the United States, the state of Virginia, and the laws of their agency’s jurisdiction.

Airport Police Officers have general law enforcement duties, including maintaining regular patrols and responding to calls for service, like other police departments, however, Airport Police Officers also enforce federal laws and regulations.

The Norfolk Airport Authority maintains a 24-person fire department which is specially trained in aircraft rescue and fire fighting. Drills are conducted on a continual basis. Actual “disaster” scenarios are undertaken in various degrees at least twice a year and are coordinated with a region-wide 40 agency Airport Committee for Emergency Preparedness (ACEP). The Authority’s manpower readiness and firefighting equipment far surpass what is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Visit TSA website for full information: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

The Federal Aviation Administration requires both commercial and recreational operators of Model Aircraft to provide notice to FAA Norfolk Tower prior to operating within 5 miles of the airport.

The operator must contact FAA Norfolk Tower at (757) 460-4102 to discuss proposed activity. FAA Norfolk Tower will assess the activity and provide feedback on whether the intended activity is allowed based on the location with respect to controlled airspace.

The FAA defines Model Aircraft as:
•          Flown strictly for hobby or recreational use
•          Weighs less than 55 pounds
•          Operates in a manner that does not interfere with, and gives way to, any manned aircraft

Note: If Model Aircraft flown for commercial purposes does not meet the standard of Model Aircraft, the user may be required to obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the FAA prior to operating.

Read FAA’s guidelines for Model Aircraft usage at: https://www.faa.gov/uas/

Congratulations for making an inquiry; it’s the first step in overcoming the fear of flying. SOAR is a network for fearful flyers. Their website contains information that may be helpful.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage, if they are properly packaged and declared at check-in with the airline. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Ammunition and firearm parts, including firearm frames, receivers, clips and magazines are also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be checked. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality; therefore, travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

Ground operations on airport ramps are extremely vulnerable to lightning. Ramp workers, aircraft fuelers and other outside workers are not safe from lightning strikes unless they are inside a substantial structure. Casualties from lightning at airports are reported every year, therefore the airlines have strict safety protocols in place to protect their employees and passengers.

Currency exchange is not available at the airport. Check other options at:

Transportation Security Administration Security Checkpoints

TSA Cares offers a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Call 72 hours prior to travel at (855) 787-2227 or federal relay 711 on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

The TSA Cares Program will facilitate Passenger Support Specialist assistance at the airport upon your request.

A video addressing Autism and the airport TSA experience can be viewed at https://www.tsa.gov/videos/tsa-cares-screening-travelers-autism-spectrum-0

Picking up family or friends at the airport? Follow signs to the Cell Phone Lot -or- park free of charge for 30 minutes in any parking lot or garage. The Arrivals Terminal curbside is now a passenger loading zone only; no parking or waiting is permitted. Learn more at norfolkairport.com/parking/