Summary

  • Four new airlines join TSA PreCheck: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airlines, and Saudia.
  • The program is now available at over 200 US airports, with almost 100 airline participants.
  • TSA PreCheck offers expedited screening for low-risk travelers, reducing security wait times.

Travelers on four new airlines can now enjoy the benefits of TSA PreCheck. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed today that Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Ethiopian Airlines, and Saudia have all joined the program, bringing the total to almost 100 airline participants.

Almost 100 airlines

The TSA PreCheck program has grown steadily since its launch and is now available at over 200 airports across the United States. The trusted traveler program allows low-risk travelers to breeze through airport security with minimal hassle for an annual fee.

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The four new airlines all have a presence in the US, with Aer Lingus leading the way with the most North American connections thanks to its partnership with oneworld Alliance carriers British Airways and American Airlines.

Aer Lingus

The Irish flag carrier joins the PreCheck program fresh off the news that it will be operating from New York JFK’s Terminal 6 when it opens in 2026. Aer Lingus has expanded significantly in the US this summer with new flights to Denver, Minneapolis, and Las Vegas. The airline even offers flights to the US from Manchester in the North of England to supplement its flights from Ireland.

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Passengers departing from Dubin and Shannon also have the unique advantage of being able to utilize the United States Customs and Border Protection Pre Clearance service to land in the US as domestic passengers.

Air New Zealand

Passengers heading to New Zealand and beyond can now enjoy expedited screening when traveling on the country’s flag carrier. A Star Alliance member, Air New Zealand flies to six destinations in the US from Auckland: New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Honolulu (HNL), Chicago (ORD), and Houston (IAH). Passengers heading across the Pacific might soon get the chance to experience the carrier’s upcoming bunk beds, which are set to launch by the end of the year.

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Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Taxiing In Auckland

Photo: Jordan Tan | Shutterstock

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, is the next carrier to join the trusted traveler program. Another Star Alliance carrier, the airline connects the US to its hub in Addis Ababa from five locations, including Chicago (ORD), Washington DC (IAD), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), and Atlanta (ATL).

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Four airports joined its passenger network in May and June.

Saudia

Rounding out the list of new airlines is Saudia. The carrier is one of the last remaining Boeing 747 operators, although the type is now generally used for special and charter flights. From the US, the SkyTeam Alliance carrier has direct flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Washington DC (IAD), New York (JFK), and Los Angeles (LAX).

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How does PreCheck work?

Passengers with TSA PreCheck status are provided with a Known Traveler Number, which can be added to bookings to display the PreCheck symbol on the boarding pass. Passengers can then enter the dedicated lane and keep on their shoes, belts, and light jackets during security. They are not required to remove laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, and food items from their carry-on bags.

TSA PreCheck lanes

Photo: Denver International Airport

According to the TSA, about 99% of PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes in dedicated lanes at airport checkpoints nationwide. The service is also available for passengers departing Nassau, the Bahamas, on US-bound flights.

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