TSA PreCheck® Program Adds Eight New Airlines

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today the expansion of its TSA PreCheck program with eight new airlines. That includes Air Premia, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Transat, Bahamasair, BermudAir, Iberia, La Compagnie and New Pacific Airlines.

TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program enabling low-risk travelers to enjoy a secure and expedited screening experience at more than 200 airports in the United States, and the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and may keep their shoes, belts and light jackets on and are not required to remove laptops, 3-1-1 liquids and food items from their carry-on bags. About 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes in dedicated lanes at airport checkpoints nationwide.

Enrolling in TSA PreCheck is easy. Visit tsa.gov/precheck and pick one of the enrollment providers, Telos or IDEMIA, complete the online application in five minutes and schedule your 10 minute in-person appointment with your chosen provider to complete the enrollment.

TSA PreCheck is available for eligible passengers when departing from a U.S. airport or when connecting on domestic flights, after returning to the United States. Travelers who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and U.S. lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck and can pick any enrollment provider based on cost, locations, and additional benefits.

In May, the agency announced that teenagers aged 13-17 may now accompany TSA PreCheck enrolled parents or guardians through TSA PreCheck screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen’s boarding pass. Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction.

Once approved, travelers receive a unique “Known Traveler Number” (KTN) that is added to an airline reservation, and makes them eligible to use TSA PreCheck lanes at security checkpoints nationwide when traveling on any of the participating airlines. It usually takes about five days after approval to receive a KTN. So don’t do this at the last minutes.

Enrolled airline passengers should look for the TSA Pre✓® indicator (such as TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA Pre✓®) on their boarding pass to know if they are eligible for TSA PreCheck screening before their flight. 

TSA PreCheck now costs $78 for five years. Global Entry, which simplifies the customs process when returning from outside the U.S., also includes TSA PreCheck benefits, and costs $100 for five years. You can get either of these Trusted Traveler Programs for free if you have an eligible credit card.