TSA Launches Kid-Friendly Security Lanes at US Airports Making Travel Smoother for Families
Families flying with young children can now breeze through security as airports introduce dedicated kid-friendly lanes designed to cut stress and save time.
Traveling with young children often turns airport security into a test of patience, but a new initiative is aiming to change that. The Transportation Security Administration has rolled out specialized lanes for families at select airports, providing a streamlined, less stressful checkpoint experience for parents and children alike. These lanes allow families to navigate security without the pressure of impatient travelers behind them, while still keeping lines moving efficiently for everyone.
How the Family Lanes Work
The family-friendly corridors operate similarly to TSA PreCheck but are tailored specifically for travelers with children aged 12 and under. Signage in bright purple guides parents toward separate lanes staffed by officers trained to handle baby essentials, from strollers and car seats to sippy cups and diaper bags.
Strollers are directed to a dedicated inspection station, and children under 12 often keep their shoes on if the family has PreCheck status. The bins are larger, designed to accommodate car seats and extra gear, and after the security check, families merge back into the main flow of passengers.
Benefits Beyond the Family
Although these lanes are designed for families, the improvements extend to all travelers. Security checkpoints handle over two million passengers each day, and internal data shows baby equipment alone accounts for around 7 percent of secondary bag checks, each taking roughly 90 seconds.
International examples, such as family lanes in Australia and New Zealand, show a significant reduction in total wait times—10 to 15 percent during school holidays. By separating families with bulky gear, checkpoints move more efficiently, and solo travelers encounter fewer delays. Officers spend less time repacking diaper bags, allowing overall operations to run more smoothly.
Step-by-Step Guide for Families
When using a family lane:
- Follow the purple “Families on the Fly” signs immediately after presenting ID.
- One adult unloads electronics and liquids while the other prepares the stroller for inspection.
- Officers use child-friendly language to explain the process, helping reduce stress for young passengers.
- After passing through the scanner, families repack their belongings at wider tables equipped with toddler-height seating.
TSA manages lane staffing carefully. Family lanes open only when a sufficient number of families are present, avoiding confusion when lanes sit unstaffed. They close once traffic subsides to maintain efficiency.
Immediate Advantages for Traveling Families
Parents can now handle strollers, car seats, and diaper bags without feeling rushed or self-conscious. Special diaper-changing areas positioned at the start of the lanes handle urgent needs, while a gentler, kid-friendly setup helps children stay relaxed and cooperative.
Families avoid the social tension of holding up the main line, and the overall experience feels smoother and more predictable.
How Solo Travelers Benefit
With strollers and bulky items shifted to a separate lane, standard conveyors move faster, and officers can deploy more strategically during peak travel times. This leads to shorter waits, smoother flows, and a more organized checkpoint for all travelers, not just families.
Expansion Plans
After initial launches, additional airports are scheduled to receive family lanes in the near future. The program is closely monitored, with metrics like average lane time and impacts on adjacent checkpoints guiding decisions for nationwide expansion.
Tips for Families Using the Lanes
- Book early flights for shorter lines, even in family-specific lanes.
- Keep snacks and wipes accessible at the top of carry-ons for quick inspection.
- Print stroller gate-check tags at home to minimize delays.
- Freeze baby food pouches; solids pass through faster than liquids.
- Keep kids occupied during security rescans by loading calming apps or interactive quiet games on your device.
Though small in physical footprint, family lanes represent a significant shift in airport design, prioritizing children and caregivers without slowing others. If fully staffed and used efficiently, these corridors could transform holiday travel from a stressful challenge into a more manageable experience. Early adopters at pilot airports will determine whether this approach becomes a standard feature across U.S. airports. Families can now follow the purple signs, pack efficiently, and experience a smoother path through security.
Tags: U.S. airports, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
