If you haven’t flown commercially in recent months, there’s a chance you might be caught off guard by just how much airport security has changed at your local airport.
Even as someone who flies very frequently, I have been caught off guard by just how different it is. During a recent flight through Denver, I saw passengers breezing through security using new technology, I saw all travelers keeping their shoes on for the first time in decades, and I saw firsthand what happens when someone’s ID does not meet the new standards. And I soon realized those changes weren’t specific to Denver, as I experienced similar things in Atlanta and New York’s JFK airport.
Quite simply, TSA feels different these days. Even if you’ve flown recently, there’s a strong chance your next experience through airport security will feel a little bit different
Over the past several months, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have rolled out several changes to the airport security process that have made a significant impact on travelers.
Here’s everything you need to know about what has changed over the past several months, so you know exactly what to expect on your next flight.
Major TSA Changes Over the Past Few Months
- REAL ID-compliant identification is now required
- All passengers keep their shoes on when going through airport security
- TSA launches TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
- No lithium batteries in checked luggage
- TSA launches Families on the Fly program
REAL ID is Now Required
Perhaps the most high-profile change came on May 7, 2025, when the TSA began requiring all passengers to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. This can include a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport, as well as a number of alternatives.
The REAL ID Act was actually originally passed by Congress in 2005 to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.” Two decades later, it finally went into effect.
It’s worth noting that it is technically possible to fly without a REAL ID-compliant license. Travelers would just need to arrive early to go through the necessary additional screening.
Shoes On Through Security
For over a decade, only those with TSA PreCheck status were permitted to keep their shoes on while going through the TSA security checkpoint. Now, that applies to all passengers.
On Tuesday, July 8, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the TSA would be ending its longstanding “shoes off” policy.
“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” Secretary Noem said in a statement at the time.
“We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel.”
Obviously, this move made airport security a little more convenient and efficient for travelers.
TSA Launches TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
While the TSA has been making use of facial recognition technology in its security checkpoints for a number of years, the agency expanded its use of the technology in a big way this year, rolling out TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.
While many airports throughout the country are already using facial recognition technology to match passengers’ facial scans to their IDs, the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID works in a way that does not even require passengers to use their ID at the checkpoint.
Instead of comparing the traveler’s facial scan to the photo on their ID or passport, the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID compares the facial scan at the airport against a gallery of templates of pre-staged photos that the passenger previously provided to the government with their passport or visa.
“That’s actually one of the more exciting developments is the frictionless ID for TSA pre-check where all you have to do is just use your face and it basically matches your face to your stored information,” security expert Jake Parker, who is the Senior Director of Government Relations of the Security Industry Association (SIA), told me during a recent phone interview. “You don’t even have to pull out your boarding pass or ID or anything.”
While Parker has a positive take on the new technology and does not think that it changes much about the security process or personal privacy, several experts disagree, with some expressing concerns about how the data is used and stored. Some lawmakers are currently working to limit the technology.
This new technology is currently only available with select airlines at just 15 airports throughout the country.
No Lithium Batteries in Checked Luggage
Another recent change that the TSA has implemented this year is a ban on lithium and lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage because the batteries are capable of overheating and potentially causing fires on flights.
This change applies to most portal chargers and power banks, which use lithium or lithium-ion batteries, as well as devices like cell phones, tablets, and computers.
While none of those items may be brought aboard flights, portable chargers may be brought aboard on carry-on luggage as long as they meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, which limit the size of the batteries.
“Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery. Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery,” the FAA wrote in a statement on its website.
The TSA has been cracking down on these particular rules lately, so it’s worth paying attention before your next flight.
Families on the Fly
Airport security is stressful enough when you’re flying by yourself. However, flying with children adds a whole new level of stress. However, the TSA is moving forward with a change that will make flying with families a lot easier.
The Families on the Fly initiative, which has been rolled out at a few airports throughout the country, provides travelers with a dedicated family lane at airport security that will be faster and less stressful for families with children 12 and under.
“We understand that air travel can be challenging, especially for parents managing strollers, diaper bags, and young kids,” TSA Federal Security Director for Orlando Pete Garcia said in a statement last month.
“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.”
While the initiative is only available at a few airports across the country currently, it is set to be expanded in the coming years and months as the TSA looks to expand it nationwide.
More Changes on the Horizon
Obviously, things have changed a lot in the past few months. The goal of these changes is to make airport security as “frictionless” and “seamless” as possible, TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl recently explained during a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
Stahl also made it clear that he sees even more changes on the horizon as the TSA looks to continue making airport security more efficient for travelers. He went as far as to say that he expects a “fully automated” security screening process at some point in the future.
“We really are envisioning a fully frictionless process, one that’s fully automated, that’s tech-enabled, that is as seamless as possible,” Stahl said earlier this year.
“We are going to do everything we can,” he said. “[Secretary Noem] is going to do everything we can to bring in side-by-side partners, the private sector, public sector, airlines, airports and other stakeholders to really create an American travel and transportation security system that every single American is proud of.”
There have already been a lot of changes, and it sounds like we can expect a lot more in the coming months and years. As the agency continues to roll out changes, it’s good to keep an eye on the TSA’s official website to stay up-to-date on everything you need to know.
