If you’ve ever tried to pick someone up at Hector International Airport (FAR) during a North Dakota blizzard, you know the vibe. It’s a mix of "hope the de-icing crew is fast" and "where exactly am I supposed to park now?" With the massive terminal expansion currently in full swing this January 2026, navigating hector airport arrivals and departures today is a bit different than it was even a year ago.
Honestly, the airport is growing up. It’s no longer that sleepy little regional spot where you could show up ten minutes before boarding. Between the new parking ramp finally being fully operational and the eastern section of the terminal expansion opening its doors, the footprint of FAR is changing fast.
What’s Happening With Arrivals Right Now?
If you are tracking a flight for a friend or family member today, January 17, 2026, most of the action is coming in from the usual hubs: Minneapolis (MSP), Chicago (ORD), and Denver (DEN).
Earlier this morning, Delta 5399 from Minneapolis touched down right on time around 10:30 AM. Looking at the boards for the rest of the afternoon, we’ve got a steady stream. American flight 3895 from Dallas-Fort Worth is expected around 2:17 PM, and United is bringing people in from Denver and Chicago throughout the evening.
One thing that confuses people every single time is the baggage claim area. Because of the construction, it can feel a bit cramped. If you're the one waiting in the car, don't just circle the terminal like a shark. Use the cell phone waiting area. It’s located just near the airport entrance. It saves you from the wrath of airport security and keeps the "drop-off only" zone from turning into a parking lot.
Current Arrival Highlights
- Delta 3771 from MSP: Scheduled for 2:07 PM.
- United 4525 from ORD: Expected around 2:59 PM.
- Allegiant 636 from Phoenix-Mesa: Touching down just after 1:00 PM.
The Allegiant flights are always the wild cards. Since they don't run every day, the terminal gets noticeably busier when a big Airbus from Phoenix or Las Vegas dumps 180 people into the lobby at once. If you’re picking someone up from an Allegiant flight, give them an extra 15 minutes to fight through the crowd at the single baggage carousel.
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Navigating Departures and Security
Getting out of Fargo is usually a breeze, but today has its quirks. Departures are moving along, though United 5462 to Denver saw a bit of a pushback earlier, with an estimated departure moving to 1:48 PM.
Most people don't realize that the TSA checkpoint at Hector can actually get backed up. They’ve added lanes over the last year, but during the "morning rush"—that 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM window when every airline tries to get their first bird out—it can be a genuine 20-minute wait.
If you're heading out today:
- Delta 3771 to Minneapolis is set for 3:00 PM.
- American 3895 to DFW is wheels up at 2:30 PM.
- Allegiant 2301 to Phoenix departs at 1:52 PM.
Check your gate. With the expansion, some gate numbers have shifted slightly to accommodate the new eastern wing. It’s not a huge airport, so you won't get lost, but it's enough of a change to make a frequent flyer do a double-take.
The Parking Situation (It’s Better, I Promise)
For the longest time, parking at Hector was a nightmare of snow-covered economy lots and long walks. The new parking ramp has basically solved that, but it’ll cost you.
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The ramp is $25 a day if you want the luxury of not scraping ice off your windshield when you get back. If you're just here for a quick pickup, the first 20 minutes in the ramp are free. That’s a huge win. Long-term surface parking is still there for $12 a day, and the economy lots are sitting at $9.
Pro tip: The "East Economy" lot is often partially full because it’s the cheapest. If you’re flying out for a week, just head to the West lot first and save yourself the loop.
Eating and Hanging Out
If your departure is delayed, your options are... well, they're Fargo-standard.
The SkyDine is the main player here. It's open from 5:00 AM until the last flight leaves. It’s got that classic airport lounge feel where you can grab a beer and a burger while watching the planes de-ice. There’s also a Subway if you’re in a rush.
The airport gift shop actually has some decent stuff. If you forgot a gift, they sell a lot of "North Dakota Pride" gear and local products. It’s located landside (before security), so if you’re waiting for an arrival, you can kill time there.
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Real Talk on Delays
We have to talk about the weather. This is North Dakota. Even if the sun is shining in Fargo, a "ground stop" in Chicago or a massive system in Minneapolis ripples down to us instantly.
Hector is incredibly good at snow removal—one of the best in the country, actually—but they can't control the FAA. If you see your arrival from Chicago is delayed, it’s almost certainly an "Air Traffic Management" issue at O'Hare and not a problem with our runways.
Actionable Tips for Today
Don't just wing it. If you're dealing with hector airport arrivals and departures today, do these three things:
- Download the App: Whether it’s Delta, United, or American, the airline app is always 5 minutes faster than the screens in the terminal.
- Check the Fargodome Schedule: If there is a concert or a Bison game at the Fargodome, 19th Ave North becomes a parking lot. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes just to get to the airport entrance.
- Use the Skywalk: If you parked in the ramp, use the skywalk. It’s finally finished and it beats dodging traffic on the ground level, especially with the construction equipment still moving around the terminal front.
The construction is slated to wrap up fully by 2027, but the progress made so far in 2026 has already made the "Fargo flying experience" a lot less stressful. Just keep an eye on the boards, watch out for the orange cones, and enjoy the fact that we finally have a parking garage.