Gerald R. Ford International Airport — Local services in Cascade Charter Township

Buckle up, this is going to be lengthy. Due to a timing issue on our end we arrived at the airport to catch our 6:00am flight 40 minutes early-there was a long line at the American Airlines counter to check our 1 bag. When we reached the kiosk we were inside the 30 minute window and our boarding pass didn't print. The staff at the counter told they couldn't help until they had checked all other passengers in so they wouldn't miss their flights-we got back in line and approached the counter again. We were turned away 3 times total by 3 different agents. They didn't even allow us to say anything other than we've missed our flight before having us step aside and calling another customer over. We finally received help from a 4th agent-she actually called over and asked how she could help us-the other 3 ignored us when we were the only passengers left in the lobby. Pretty frustrating way to start a travel day, we get booked on another flight and proceed to hunker down in Terminal A for the next 8 hours. Once we found our gate I went to grab snacks-I was completely ignored in the shop, the person in front of me was using self checkout and their payment declined so I stood in front of the cashier's till-she was chatting loudly with a coworker with her back to me. Neither helped me so when the self checkout opened I used it. Later in the day I tried to get a bite at Aletitude-it didn't look crazy busy. I got in line to be seated by the host, the people in front of me were seated and a line formed behind me. The host doesn't come back for several minutes to seat people-he completely ignored the line until the gentleman behind me asked if they could be seated. It was only after being asked that the host admitted the kitchen was behind and they needed to stop seating for 15 minutes to catch up on orders. I decided to grab a cold sandwich from a different shop-this one had several self checkout stations with an attendant and again, 0 interaction with staff as I'm checking out less than a foot from where he was standing. I work in hospitality so to be ignored by multiple workers in an airport was very unusual. I'm a nursing mom and my husband immediately found and pointed out the nursing rooms to me. There was one in our terminal very close to the gate, I used it once, it was nice and private, the door latched-great. When I went to use it later it was busy so I checked in a few minutes later and its still busy. I had seen another nursing station tucked into a bathroom in Terminal A-when I went to go there I find its a private bathroom. I had a hungry baby so I went down to the nursing room I'd seen directly across from security. I go in and find the door doesn't lock because its a 'communal' nursing station. The seat was a love seat shoved into a very narrow room that was directly in eyeline of the door when it opened-outside security. Two things: 1) if you're a mom using a nursing room there's a good chance you're doing it because you're shy about doing it in public so communal nursing not a great option. 2) I have a baby that is old enough to notice and get distracted by the world around her so if there was another mom (sitting shoulder to shoulder with me nursing) my baby would have been way too distracted to nurse. All in all this airport left a really bitter taste in my mouth-this was a rough day made harder by the items I...

Nestled in the heart of West Michigan, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) serves as a welcoming portal to the wonders of this beautiful region. As someone who has had the pleasure of passing through this airport, I can confidently say that it is a shining example of what an airport should be - efficient, well-maintained, and distinctly Michigander in its hospitality.

One of the standout features of GRR is its accessibility. Located just a short drive away from downtown Grand Rapids, it's incredibly convenient for both locals and travelers from afar. The airport is easily accessible from major highways, and its ample parking options make getting to your gate a breeze. Whether you choose short-term or long-term parking, the airport ensures that your journey begins and ends with convenience.

Upon entering the terminal, you'll immediately notice the modern and spacious design. The terminal's architecture and interior decor exude a sense of warmth and comfort. The ample natural light and clean, open spaces contribute to a pleasant travel experience. Navigating through the terminal is a breeze, thanks to clear signage and helpful airport staff.

One of the highlights of GRR is the impressive range of dining and shopping options. Whether you're craving a quick bite before your flight or looking for that last-minute souvenir, the airport has you covered. Local dining establishments provide a taste of Michigan cuisine, and the diverse retail outlets offer a variety of gifts, clothing, and travel essentials.

The airport's commitment to passenger convenience is evident in its array of services. From free Wi-Fi to comfortable seating areas, GRR ensures that you're connected and relaxed throughout your journey. The TSA screening process is efficient, helping you get to your gate in a timely manner.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport also takes sustainability seriously. The airport has made substantial efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability. From energy-efficient facilities to waste reduction initiatives, GRR is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of West Michigan.

Perhaps one of the most endearing qualities of this airport is its staff. They consistently offer a warm and friendly welcome to travelers. You're likely to experience the famous Midwestern hospitality that makes you feel like more than just a passenger; you're a...

If you are using this airport soon, give yourself an extra 30 minutes, at least! I fly through this airport about 35 times a year. A lot! Normally I love this airport and especially love the new updates and expansions. But someone in management needs to figure out what happened today. I went through the TSA precheck line and the initial line to put bags on the belt was short- a single person in front of me. But then when I got through the scanner, saw hoards of people and the bags being pulled was backed up so far they couldn’t put any more on the inspection belt line. They were pulling nearly every bag and couldn’t seem to figure out what they were looking for. My suitcase came through which shocked me because they’ve been pulling deodorant but didn’t grab that. Then they grabbed my backpack tray. Literally this had my laptop, some cords, and my plastic vitamin holders. I carry this same backpack, same configuration, through airports across the globe. It hasn’t been flagged in forever. I waited 20 minutes 20 minutes!!! In precheck with no line. I was just in this airport last week and didn’t have this problem. Then when everyone was talking quietly amongst themselves, confused about what was going on because they weren’t saying anything and this was clearly out of the ordinary. TSA agent starts telling us that saying this ”doesn’t help”. And she kept repeating this because then we looked at each other confused about what we did because we were just asking each other what was going on. We weren’t harassing or saying anything to them. We were just asking each other quietly what was going on. I’ve never seen such a back up of pulled bags in any airport, especially in precheck. I really hope that this isn’t the new normal at GRR. I’ve been using this airport heavily for 14 years and have seen nothing but positive changes until today. Great agents too. I have to say that I’m relieved that my international flight out on Friday (yes I have a second trip this week alone) is directly out of Chicago. Not a fan of ohare but at this point I’ll take it. Please fix this, GRR. I use your airport too much to have this be...