U.S. Travel hopes the expansion to 11 more airlines will spur even more travelers to enroll in TSA’s valuable expedited screening program.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Thursday that it has expanded its flagship trusted traveler program to flyers on 11 new airlines.
TSA PreCheck will now be available for enrolled passengers flying on Aruba Airlines, Avianca, Boutique Airlines, Emirates, Key Lime Air, Miami Air International, Southern Airways Express, Spirit Airlines, Sunwing, Virgin Atlantic and Xtra Airways. This brings the total number of airlines participating in TSA PreCheck to 30.
The program, which allows pre-screened travelers to use expedited security lanes at TSA checkpoints, makes flyers’ lives at the airports a little easier—and, more importantly, makes flying safer for everyone. The bedrock precept of PreCheck is that members are thoroughly vetted before they even arrive at the airport, having submitted fingerprints and undergone an extensive background check. Moving these low-risk flyers quickly through security reduces crowds in airport waiting areas and, more importantly, enables TSA screeners to focus more on unknown travelers.
TSA PreCheck was meant to grow and expand along with the ranks of people it enrolls. The more eligible flyers sign up for PreCheck, the better the program will be for all air travelers in America. The addition of new participating airlines is not just great news for flyers—it’s a strong move for national security.