WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration today announced the expansion of its TSA Pre✓® expedited screening program to include British Airways. Today’s announcement brings the number of airlines participating in TSA Pre✓® to 53 domestic and international carriers.
More than 6.4 million TSA Pre✓® enrollees across the country are already experiencing the benefits of expedited screening. This new partnership will increase the trusted traveler population and increase overall security effectiveness.
TSA Pre✓® is a risk-based approach to vetting and passenger security screening that has enabled TSA to move away from a one-size fits all approach to passenger security screening, focusing more security resources on unknown passengers. This partnership with British Airways is another step in TSA’s continuous effort to raise the global aviation security baseline.
Low-risk travelers enrolled in the program get to experience a smart and efficient screening experience at more than 200 U.S. airports. For TSA Pre✓® travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets.
To date in 2018, nearly 93 percent of passengers in TSA Pre✓® lanes waited less than five minutes.
TSA Pre✓® is available when departing from a U.S. airport to a foreign country, and for domestic, connecting flights after returning to the U.S. Travelers who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. can apply for TSA Pre✓® for a cost of $85 for five years, or $17 per year through the TSA Pre✓® application program. Once approved, travelers will receive a “Known Traveler Number” to input when making an airline reservation and will have the opportunity to utilize TSA Pre✓® lanes at select security checkpoints when traveling on any of the 53 participating airlines.
Other passengers who are eligible for TSA Pre✓® include members of the three U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler programs, Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI. TSA Pre✓® is also available for U.S. Armed Forces service members, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard. To find the program that best suits your travel needs, use the Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler comparison tool.
As always, TSA continues to incorporate unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening.
For more information, visit tsa.gov or read the frequently asked questions about TSA Pre✓®.