TSA PreCheck Expands to New Global Carriers

Traveling internationally comes with a lot of moving parts. Standing in a long, slow-moving airport security line does not have to be one of them. The Transportation Security Administration recently announced a major expansion of its TSA PreCheck program, adding a new batch of global airlines to its official network.

If you fly outside the country frequently, this update means a much smoother start to your upcoming trips. With more than 90 airlines now participating in the program, expedited security is becoming the standard for international travel departing from the United States.

The Latest International Airlines to Join

The TSA has steadily grown its list of participating partners. Recently, the agency added several prominent international carriers, making it easier for travelers heading to Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, and the Caribbean to skip the standard security lines.

Some of the most notable new additions include:

• Aer Lingus: The Irish flag carrier is a popular choice for travelers heading to Dublin or connecting to the rest of Europe.
• Air New Zealand: Flights to Auckland from cities like Los Angeles and Houston are long. PreCheck makes the departure process much faster.
• Ethiopian Airlines: As Africa’s largest carrier, this addition helps passengers flying out of major U.S. hubs like Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare.
• Saudia: Travelers heading to the Middle East on Saudi Arabia’s national carrier can now use the expedited security lanes.
• Fiji Airways: If you are heading to the South Pacific for a vacation, your trip can start with less stress at the airport.
• Caribbean Airlines and Bahamasair: Frequent flyers heading to the islands now have access to faster security processing out of Florida and other East Coast hubs.

The Rise of Budget International Carriers in PreCheck

It is not just traditional legacy carriers joining the program. The TSA has also integrated several low-cost international airlines. This is excellent news for budget-conscious travelers who want cheap fares without sacrificing airport convenience.

Norse Atlantic Airways, known for its highly affordable direct flights between the U.S. and European cities like London and Paris, recently joined the PreCheck network. Similarly, French bee, a low-cost airline flying to Paris and Tahiti from cities like San Francisco and Newark, is now a participating partner. Zipair, a budget airline flying between the West Coast and Tokyo, is also on the list.

How the TSA PreCheck Benefits Work

If you are new to the program, the benefits of TSA PreCheck are significant. When you fly on a participating airline, you get access to a dedicated security lane. The physical screening process is much less invasive.

You do not have to remove your shoes, belts, or light jackets. You can also leave your laptop inside your carry-on bag. The standard 3-1-1 liquids bag can stay securely packed away. Because of these relaxed rules, the lines move incredibly fast. The TSA reports that roughly 99 percent of PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes at security checkpoints across the country.

Understanding the Rules for International Travel

While TSA PreCheck is an amazing tool, there is a very important rule you must understand regarding international flights. The benefit only applies to departures from U.S. airports or domestic connections within the United States.

If you are flying out of London Heathrow, Tokyo Haneda, or Rome Fiumicino, TSA PreCheck does not exist. Foreign countries operate their own distinct security agencies with their own rules. You will need to follow standard security protocols when departing a foreign airport to return home.

The only exception is if you are departing from a foreign airport that features a U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility. Airports in places like Nassau, Dublin, and Toronto have these facilities. In some of these specific locations, a form of expedited security resembling PreCheck might be available.

How to Apply Your PreCheck to International Tickets

Simply having an active TSA PreCheck membership is not enough. You must actively link your membership to your flight reservation.

When you are approved for the program, the government assigns you a nine-digit Known Traveler Number (KTN). You must enter this specific number into your airline profile or add it during the checkout process when buying a ticket.

If you book a flight through an online travel agency like Expedia or Booking.com, the KTN does not always transfer properly to the international airline. Always go directly to the airline’s official website, pull up your reservation using your confirmation code, and verify that your KTN is saved in the passenger details section. When you check in for your flight, look closely at your boarding pass. It must clearly display the “TSAPRECHK” logo or text. If it is missing, speak to a ticketing agent at the airport counter before heading to security.

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck for International Flyers

If you plan to fly internationally on a regular basis, you should seriously consider applying for Global Entry instead of standalone TSA PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck currently costs between $78 and $85 for a five-year membership, depending on the enrollment provider you choose. Renewals cost $70 when completed online.

Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership. The major advantage is that Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck benefits. On top of that, Global Entry provides expedited processing through U.S. Customs when you arrive back in the United States from a foreign country. Instead of waiting in a massive line to speak with an immigration officer, you simply walk up to a facial recognition kiosk, take a photo, and walk through to baggage claim.

Before paying for either program, check your wallet. Many premium travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and the American Express Platinum Card, offer a statement credit that completely covers the application fee for either program every four to five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all airlines participate in TSA PreCheck? No. While there are over 90 participating airlines, some smaller international carriers have not yet joined the network. You can view the full, updated list of participating airlines directly on the official TSA website.

Can my family use the PreCheck lane with me on an international flight? Children who are 12 years old and younger can join a parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lane without their own membership. Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 can also use the lane if they are on the same reservation as the adult and the PreCheck indicator prints on the teenager’s boarding pass.

What happens if my airline is not on the TSA PreCheck list? If you book a flight on an airline that has not joined the program, you will not receive the PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass. You will be required to go through the standard security lane, remove your shoes, and take out your electronics, regardless of your membership status.