TSA launches special security lanes for military families and parents with kids at select airports to ease travel and speed up screening.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Flying just got a bit easier for military families and parents with young children, as the Transportation Security Administration rolled out special security lanes at Nashville International Airport this week as part of its “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” and “Families on the Fly” initiatives.
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In Nashville on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unveiled the first-ever “Honor Lane” — a dedicated TSA lane reserved strictly for U.S. military personnel and their families. Designed as a gesture of gratitude, these exclusive lines promise faster security checks and less hassle, with more locations set to open at airports near major military bases.
But the changes aren’t just for service members. TSA also introduced new family-friendly lanes at busy airports, starting with Orlando. Branded “Families on the Fly,” the program targets one of the most stressful travel challenges: wrangling children while moving through security.
Parents can now expect:
- Dedicated lines for families with kids
- Expanded screening areas built with strollers and little legs in mind
- Reduced frequency of invasive pat-downs for children
- A $15 discount on PreCheck enrollment for families
For military travelers, the benefits stack up quickly. Family members of fallen service members (Gold Star families) now qualify for free PreCheck enrollment, and spouses receive a $25 discount. Mobile sign-up stations will even travel to military bases so families won’t have to leave post just to enroll.
As of now, there are dedicated security lanes and front-of-line privileges for uniformed military at 11 airports
Noem framed the initiatives as both a thank you to those who serve and a response to record travel volumes expected this year. She said the changes were made because military members and families deserve a smoother, more respectful experience at the airport. She also mentioned recent policy tweaks like pausing the “shoes off” rule at checkpoints.
TSA leaders said they’re responding to travelers who want less stress and more dignity when passing through security — whether they’re serving their country or simply wrangling toddlers before dawn. With the Olympics, World Cup, and America’s semiquincentennial on the horizon, the agency is betting that smart lanes and soft landings will strike a chord with travelers coast to coast.
Watch Noem’s full briefing here: