Tampa International Airport (TPA) said this week it will soon debut the new Blue Express Curbsides dedicated exclusively for passengers without checked bags, enabling them to get to and from their gates faster, bypassing the ticketing or bag claim levels, and improving the overall passenger experience.
The new curbsides, which will formally open November 16, are located on the airport’s Blue Side and will be available to passengers flying on American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Copa Airlines, Cayman Airways and Swift Air.
Eight additional express curbsides will also be added to the airport’s Red Side as part of the expansion, doubling TPA’s curbside capacity. The Red Side Curbs are expected to be complete in early 2025. TPA officials said it is first airport in the country to provide this option for travelers.
“Passenger needs and expectations are changing,” said TPA CEO Joe Lopano. “Our Blue Express Curbsides will better serve our guests and enhance an already smooth experience. On top of that, we’ll also be making our Main Terminal more efficient, decongesting busy areas and helping us prolong the life of our facilities.”
TPA has installed extensive signage throughout the roadways in advance of the curbside grand opening.
“It’s pretty straightforward: If you’re checking bags, use the traditional full-service curbs. If you’re not, go to express,” said John Tiliacos, TPA executive vice president of operations and customer service. “We believe guests will pick up on the change quickly and appreciate this feature, but we’ll also do everything in our power to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.”
The Blue Express Curbsides are one of the signature projects of TPA’s Master Plan Phase 2 expansion, which also includes roadway widening, construction of a new office building/atrium to enable further growth, and the addition of a new taxiway bridge for planes.
