Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) — Expert Guide to Customer Service

Overview and key facts

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (IATA: CLE) is located at 5300 Riverside Drive, Cleveland, OH 44135 and is the primary commercial airport serving Greater Cleveland. The airport first opened in 1925 and is historically significant as one of the earliest municipally developed airports in the United States. For general inquiries and airport operations the main airport phone number is (216) 265-6000 and the official website is https://www.flykcle.com/.

Customer service at CLE is organized to support three core audiences: passengers (ticketing, security, lost items), people with disabilities (accessibility and mobility assistance), and ground transportation/parking customers. Major carriers operating at CLE include United, Southwest, American and Delta; when you need airline-specific help, contact the carrier directly (see contacts list below). The airport operates 24/7 for commercial operations, with peak passenger traffic concentrated in morning (05:30–09:30) and late-afternoon (15:00–19:00) windows.

How to contact customer service and where to start

If you need immediate assistance at the terminal, start at the staffed information desk located in the main terminal near the central security checkpoint; agents can assist with gate directions, paging a passenger, baggage questions and connecting to airline representatives. For non-urgent questions before you travel, call the airport administration at (216) 265-6000 or use the online resources and maps on https://www.flykcle.com/ (terminal maps, parking location, and hours for specific services).

For airline-specific matters (reservations, refunds, misplaced checked bags) use the airline’s customer service number. For security and screening questions contact the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): general TSA information is available at https://www.tsa.gov/ and TSA PreCheck enrollment is handled through https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/ (book appointments early—processing times can be 1–4 weeks in busy periods).

Accessibility and special assistance (detailed practical steps)

Cleveland Hopkins provides ADA-compliant facilities throughout the terminal: accessible restrooms, elevators, designated parking spaces, and accessible curbside drop-off. If you require wheelchair or mobility assistance, request it directly from your airline at least 48 hours before departure—this is standard industry practice and ensures ground staff have time to coordinate vehicles and personnel.

At the terminal, additional on-site accommodations (visual paging, TTY capability, and assistance for travelers with medical devices or oxygen) are coordinated through airline staff and airport operations. If you encounter a service failure (e.g., no wheelchair available on arrival), escalate immediately to the airline agent at the gate and to airport customer service at (216) 265-6000 so a prompt resolution can be arranged.

Lost & found, complaints and feedback — precise procedures

Lost items left in the terminal are routinely turned in to airport security/operations. For items lost on the aircraft or in checked baggage, the responsible airline is typically the first point of contact; keep your baggage claim number and boarding pass when filing a report. For terminal-lost items not attributable to an airline, contact airport operations via the main number or use the lost-and-found form on the official website (search “lost and found” at https://www.flykcle.com/).

To file a complaint or provide feedback, use the airport’s online contact form or send written feedback to the Port Control/Operations office; for urgent safety or accessibility complaints call (216) 265-6000 and ask to be connected to airport operations. Airline service complaints must be submitted through the airline’s customer relations channels and, if unresolved, may be escalated to the U.S. Department of Transportation at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer.

Parking, ground transportation and arrival/departure logistics

CLE’s terminal area provides short-term curbside drop-off and a terminal parking garage directly adjacent to the terminal for quick access to ticketing and baggage claim. Economy or long-term lots and shuttle services operate from designated parking areas; shuttles typically run every 10–20 minutes depending on demand. For current parking rates, seasonal promotions, and a live lot-status map consult https://www.flykcle.com/parking/ or call the airport parking desk via the main number.

Public transit access is available: the Greater Cleveland RTA Red Line serves the airport via Hopkins Airport Station, connecting passengers to downtown Cleveland and regional links. As of 2024 a single-ride RTA fare is $2.50 (verify current fare at https://www.riderta.com/). Ground transportation also includes taxis, ride-share pickup zones (designated curbside areas), and pre-arranged shuttle services—always follow the posted signage to the approved pick-up/drop-off points for safety and compliance with airport regulations.

Practical tips, timelines and best practices

Plan time for the three predictable segments of airport processing: curb-to-check-in (15–45 minutes), security screening (variable—average non-peak 5–20 minutes; holiday/peak up to 45+ minutes), and gate access/boarding (arrive to gate 30–45 minutes before departure for domestic flights). For international departures or if you have special requirements, add another 30–60 minutes. Carry a printed or screenshot copy of your boarding pass and ID, and verify gate changes on monitors or the airline app—gates can change within 30–60 minutes of departure.

When seeking help, have these items ready to speed service: full name on reservation, flight number, date and time of travel, seat and ticket number, and a description of the issue. For medical or accessibility needs, bring relevant documentation and the airline’s special-assistance confirmation. If you prefer digital channels, CLE’s social media profiles and the airline apps often provide rapid updates for delays, gate changes and parking availability.

• Key contacts and resources: CLE main info (216) 265-6000; official site https://www.flykcle.com/; TSA https://www.tsa.gov/; RTA fares and schedules https://www.riderta.com/; major airline numbers — United 1-800-864-8331, American 1-800-433-7300, Delta 1-800-221-1212 (use airline apps for fastest service).
• When to call vs. when to go to a desk: Call airlines for reservations/refunds, go to the terminal information desk or airline ticket counter for immediate gate/baggage/boarding problems, and call airport operations for terminal facility issues, accessibility failures, or safety concerns.

What is the airport customer service?

An airport customer service agent is a professional who works either at a call centre or at an airport. They offer support to customers regarding queries, problems or concerns they have about travel and logistics.

Can you call the airport to ask questions?

Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holidays. An automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What is the phone number for TSA Cleveland?

If your flight is within 72 hours, please call TSA Cares (855) 787-2227 to request assistance. TSA Cares assistance is only available for assistance through the screening checkpoint.

What is the number for lost and found at Cleveland Hopkins airport?

(216) 265-0777
Items collected will only be held for 30 days from when they are found. Anyone looking to recover an item after leaving the facility can do so by calling (216) 265-0777. You may also complete the form below and then click submit when done.

How do I contact Pearson airport customer service?

Our Customer Service Team is available 24 hours at 416-AIRPORT (416-247-7678) or toll free at 1-866-207-1690.

What is a customer service rep at the airport?

An airline customer service agent works either in an airport or a call center. While working in an airport, you provide customers with baggage assistance, confirm travel reservations and itineraries, complete flight check-ins, and print tickets using a point-of-sale system.