The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is making it a little easier for families to fly this summer, thanks to a new campaign from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) called “Families on the Fly.” Announced on Thursday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the initiative aims to ease the airport screening process for families traveling with children while maintaining strong security measures.
“DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,” said Adam Stahl, TSA’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator. “The Families on the Fly campaign, being rolled out at select airports, aims to mitigate the unique challenges families face when traveling and minimize stress while maintaining the highest level of security.”
Perks of the “Families on the Fly” program include:
- Dedicated family screening lanes at select airports
- Discounted TSA PreCheck enrollment fees for families (coming soon)
- Exclusive TSA PreCheck lanes for military personnel and their families
Right now, Orlando International (MCO) and Charlotte-Douglas International (CLT) airports are already offering these family-friendly services. Additional rollouts are expected soon at Southern California’s John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
“Families on the Fly” is part of a broader effort by TSA to enhance the travel experience at its 435 airports nationwide. “Families on the Fly” is launching at select locations in the months ahead, including Charleston International (CHS), Jacksonville International (JAX), Rhode Island T. F. Green (PVD), Luis Muñoz Marín International in San Juan (SJU), and Tampa International (TPA), with more airports expected to ultimately join the program.
Earlier this summer, TSA introduced the “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” campaign to honor military personnel, uniformed service members and their families. Working alongside industry partners, TSA implemented faster screening options at select airports near major military bases, offering dedicated PreCheck lanes or front-of-line access to reduce wait times and make travel more convenient for those in service.
Service members and Department of Defense (DOD) civilian employees are eligible for free TSA PreCheck by entering their DOD ID number as their Known Traveler Number when booking. Children 12 and under can go through PreCheck with an eligible parent or guardian, and teens ages 13 to 17 can do the same if they’re on the same reservation.
TSA also continues to offer its TSA Cares program for veterans and travelers with disabilities, providing personalized support to help navigate the security process smoothly and respectfully.
To learn more about any of these services, visit tsa.gov/military.
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