WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday announced the launch of “Families on the Fly,” a new TSA initiative aimed at improving the airport screening experience for families with children by offering enhanced hospitality and reduced wait times at select airports.
The campaign was introduced by DHS Secretary Noem as part of a broader effort to make air travel more accessible and less stressful for families, while maintaining the agency’s security standards.
“DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,” said Adam Stahl, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy TSA 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.”
Key features of the program include:
- Dedicated family screening lanes at participating airports
- Discounted TSA PreCheck® fees for families (coming soon)
- Expanded TSA PreCheck access for service members and their families
Currently, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) are participating in the campaign. Planned expansions include John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. Additional rollouts are expected at Charleston (CHS), Jacksonville (JAX), Rhode Island T.F. Green (PVD), Luis Muñoz Marín (SJU) in Puerto Rico, and Tampa International Airport (TPA).
“Families on the Fly” is one of several hospitality-focused efforts launched by TSA in recent months. Earlier this summer, the agency introduced the “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” campaign, designed to streamline screening for military service members and their families. That initiative included dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes or front-of-line access at airports near major military bases.
TSA also reminds travelers that military personnel and Department of Defense civilians can use their DOD ID number as their Known Traveler Number to access TSA PreCheck for free. Children 12 and under may accompany eligible adults without restriction, while teens aged 13–17 must be on the same reservation to qualify for expedited screening.
For those requiring additional assistance, TSA Cares remains available to support veterans and wounded warriors through personalized, respectful screening support.
With summer travel in full swing, TSA is encouraging all passengers to prepare ahead for security screening. More information is available at www.tsa.gov.
