TSA Adds 11 More Airlines to PreCheck Program

The Transportation Security Administration has expanded its PreCheck program to include 11 additional airlines, bringing the total to 30. Among the new participants are both domestic and international carriers operating flights in the U.S. Passengers on these airlines now have the opportunity to experience PreCheck benefits, effective immediately: Aruba Airlines, Avianca, Boutique Airlines, Emirates, Key Lime Air, Miami Air International, Southern Airways Express, Spirit Airlines, Sunwing, Virgin Atlantic and Xtra Airways.
 
Through the PreCheck program, which is operating at more than 180 airports in the U.S., registered passengers go through an expedited pre-boarding screening process without removing their shoes, or taking their laptops and small liquids out of their bags, or taking off their belts or light jackets before screening. According to the TSA, last month 97 percent of PreCheck passengers went through the expedited screening lane in less than five minutes.
 
The other airlines currently participating in the PreCheck program are Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Lufthansa, OneJet, Seaborne Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and WestJet. The TSA will continue to add more carriers to that list, the agency promised.
 
Interested travelers can apply for TSA PreCheck here; the cost is $85 for five years, or $17 per year. Members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler programs also are eligible, including Global Entry and NEXUS participants. PreCheck also is available for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Reported by:  Meetings & Conventions