Parents catch a break at CLT security checks. How the new TSA family lanes work
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- Charlotte Douglas Airport launches TSA lanes to ease travel for families with kids
- ‘Families on the Fly’ program adds PreCheck discounts and minor screening perks
- CLT ranks sixth globally in flight volume with 58.8 million passengers in 2024
TSA officers opened a new family lane last week at Charlotte’s airport to make the security checkpoint process easier for passengers traveling with their kids.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is among the first airports to offer this service, alongside Orlando International Airport, according to the Transportation Security Administration. The “Families on the Fly” campaign is designed to improve the security experience for families, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced.
This program is for passengers traveling with kids 12 and under. Officers will identify children who appear to be in that age group, as they do not require their own ID to fly with parents. TSA will also make accommodation for grandparents, uncles, or any other guardians, not just parents.
When a family approaches the security podium, a TSA officer will ask if they are traveling as a family, and direct them to the appropriate dedicated lane. The number of family lanes can change based on how busy it gets — ranging from one line during low passenger periods to two or more.
TSA had a soft launch of the program last week a few days prior to the public announcement on Friday. This allowed TSA officers to become familiar with the new procedures before the official start.
Signage is posted at Charlotte Douglas to educate parents and guardians about the program’s benefits.
Federal agencies are committed to making the security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for families, according to 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,” Stahl stated in a news release.
More benefits of the TSA family program
Beyond dedicated lanes at select airports, other benefits of the program include discounted TSA PreCheck fees and special lanes for service members and their families.
The standard TSA PreCheck fee is around $75 for five years, with pricing varying slightly between different enrollment providers. Details are still being worked out about the discount total.
Children aged 12 and under may accompany service members and Department of Defense staff in TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction. Minors aged 13 to 17 must be on the same airline reservation with a TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian to receive expedited screening.
Dedicated family lanes are also coming to other airports, including John Wayne Orange County Airport in California, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and Charleston International Airport in South Carolina.
Other TSA changes
The new program arrives weeks after another significant change at checkpoint lines.
Passengers are no longer required to remove their shoes during TSA security screenings. U.S. Department of Homeland Security made this change to speed up lines. That policy has been in place since 2006, although TSA PreCheck members were exempt.
These enhancements come as Charlotte Douglas continues as the second busiest hub for American Airlines.
CLT also is the world’s sixth busiest airport for takeoffs and landings, according to preliminary rankings released in April by Airports Council International The airport saw 596,583 flights last year, an 11% increase from 2023, when it was ranked seventh internationally.
In 2024, over 58.8 million passengers traveled through CLT. Of that total, 13% — or 18 million — used the terminal lobby for arrivals and departures.
From January through May of this year, CLT has served 22.2 million passengers.
This story was originally published July 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM.
