With the launch of its new “Families on the Fly” campaign, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hopes to ease the airport experience for families by introducing dedicated security lanes, expanded PreCheck access and streamlined screening services.
The initiative, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 18, is currently available at Orlando International Airport and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Additional rollouts are coming soon to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
“DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,” said Adam Stahl, the senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator. “The Families on the Fly campaign ... aims to mitigate the unique challenges families face when traveling and minimize stress while maintaining the highest level of security.”
TSA plans to expand the program to even more airports in the coming months, including Charleston International, Jacksonville International, Rhode Island T.F. Green, Luis Munoz Marin International in San Juan and Tampa International, among others.
What Families Can Expect
Participating airports will include key features to support families throughout the security process. For example, dedicated family lanes will accommodate travelers with young children, strollers, diaper bags and other bulky items. Meanwhile, a new discounted rate for TSA PreCheck fees is expected soon, making expedited screening more accessible. Currently, children 12 and under may accompany a parent or guardian with TSA PreCheck without restriction. Now, minors aged 13 to 17 can also use the PreCheck line if they are on the same reservation as a TSA PreCheck-eligible adult. Military personnel and their families will also benefit from dedicated PreCheck lanes, helping them move through security with greater ease.
The hope is that these improvements remove some of the most common logistical headaches, like separating from children in line or dealing with inconsistent screening experiences.
"We understand that air travel can be challenging, especially for parents managing strollers, diaper bags and young kids,” said Pete Garcia, TSA’s federal security director for Orlando. “This program goes beyond convenience; it’s about addressing the unique needs of traveling families to provide a smoother, more supportive experience at our security checkpoints. We’re dedicated to making travel smart, secure and family friendly."
The initiative already has support from travel advisors who regularly work with clients planning trips with their families. Kristin Hancock, travel advisor and owner of Bright Life Travel Company, said airport security can be a major deterrent for clients with young children.
“There’s a meme that says going through TSA is the most nerve-racking 10 minutes of the whole trip — and that’s definitely intensified when you’re traveling with kids,” Hancock said. “Imagine all the extra luggage and possibly strollers having to be checked on top of the normal TSA experience. There are people who just don’t want to go through the stress of traveling with kids, and the TSA experience doesn’t help.”
To Hancock, herself a mother of four, even small gestures such as patient staff or lanes designed for slower-moving families, could go a long way.
“Parents don’t necessarily need VIP treatment; they just want to feel like there’s a little extra support and patience built into the process,” she said.
Parents don’t necessarily need VIP treatment; they just want to feel like there’s a little extra support and patience built into the process.
While Hancock does not believe the campaign will dramatically impact booking patterns, she does see it reducing resistance to flying among hesitant families.
“If they feel more confident about the airport part, they’re more likely to say yes to that trip they’ve been putting off,” Hancock said.
Resources for Family Travelers
TSA is also reminding families — especially those with young children — to plan ahead and take advantage of their available resources. This includes free programs such as TSA Cares, which provides personalized assistance through the screening process for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions or other special needs, including veterans.
Hancock often includes TSA-related tips as part of her standard communication with clients and welcomes the opportunity to offer even more guidance now.
“It would be nice to let them know they have options for extra support if they’d like to use them,” she said.
