TSA Precheck Program Welcomes Four New Airlines, Bringing Total To Nearly 100

13.07.2024 - 09:20 / travelpulse.com / Aer Lingus / Laurie Baratti

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has just expanded its TSA PreCheck program to include four new global airlines: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airlines and Saudia. With this addition, nearly 100 airlines now participate in the expedited screening program, offering more travelers a faster and more efficient airport security experience.

TSA PreCheck provides a streamlined screening process for low-risk passengers at over 200 airports across the United States and at one international preclearance location, the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas.

Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck can enjoy a range of special conveniences, including keeping on their shoes, belts and light jackets, and not having to remove laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, or food items from their carry-on bags. Impressively, about 99 percent of TSA PreCheck passengers around the nation wait less than 10 minutes in dedicated lanes at airport checkpoints.

The program is accessible to eligible travelers departing from a participating U.S. airport or connecting on domestic flights after returning to the U.S. from an international trip. U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck through any of its approved enrollment providers, including CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos. Users can select any of these providers based on the best pricing, their location and any additional benefit they may offer. Enrollment costs do vary depending on the provider selected.

Applying for TSA PreCheck is a straightforward process. Prospective enrollees can visit tsa.gov/precheck, select an enrollment provider, and complete an online application in about five minutes. The final step involves a 10-minute in-person appointment for fingerprinting, document and photo capture and payment. 

Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within three to five days, which, when added to their airline reservation, grants access to dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes.

Additionally, teenagers aged 13-17 can now accompany their TSA PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians through the expedited screening process, provided they are on the same reservation and have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass. Children 12 and under can join an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without any restrictions.

For enrolled travelers, it is essential to ensure that the TSA PreCheck indicator, such as TSA PRECHK, is displayed on their boarding pass before approaching a TSA checkpoint to confirm eligibility for the expedited screening.

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