The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) seem to be on a mission to make airport security more efficient and more convenient for travelers, and one major change went a long way toward doing that.
Over the past several weeks, the TSA has begun rolling out some changes at a few airports across the country to test a new initiative that would make things much easier for families flying together.
The Families on the Fly initiative is already turning heads from travelers across the country.
What is ‘Families on the Fly?’
Earlier this summer, DHS announced the “Families on the Fly” program, which is designed to make airport travel easier and more convenient for families with children 12 years old and under.
“DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl earlier this summer. “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.”
The program offers dedicated family lanes at security checkpoints at select airports nationwide, discounted TSA PreCheck® fees for families coming soon, and dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for service members and their families.
Which Airports are Participating?
While DHS and TSA hope to expand the initiative throughout the country, the initial rollout was limited to just a few participating airports.
The program initially rolled out at the Orlando International (MCO) and Charlotte-Douglas International (CLT), with John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) joining them this month. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu will be rolling out the program soon.
“Families on the Fly” will roll out at more airports in the coming months, including Charleston International Airport (CHS), Jacksonville International (JAX), Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD), Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), and Tampa International Airport (TPA), with more airports planned in the future.
The Results Are Turing Heads
It’s been over a month since the “Families on the Fly” program officially launched in Orlando and Charlotte, and the results are already promising.
Fox News recently spoke to some families who made use of the new dedicated family line at the Orlando International Airport, and they had some glowing reviews of the new initiative.
“A lot quicker, and it was easier to get through the line,” one mother told Fox News during an interview.
“I would say it’s easier because when you’re in the regular line, you almost feel like you’re stressing everybody out,” a father told the outlet.
The initiative seems to have widespread support on social media, too.
“Family Lanes at airports are a fantastic idea,” one person wrote in a post on X.
“Ditching shoe removal is the best TSA upgrade ever. This is #2,” someone else added.
“This is really nice for families,” another user wrote.
Clearly, the change has been a hit so far.
