Families on the Fly Campaign - TSA Making Travel Easier For Parents & Kids
by Travelopod
July 21, 2025
Let’s be honest: flying with kids isn’t just travel. It’s chaos. You’re juggling strollers, snack demands, last-minute bathroom runs, and a diaper bag that somehow weighs more than your suitcase. Then you get to the airport and hit the wall that is security. It’s where most parents silently lose their minds.
Until recently, families were expected to go through the same security lines and follow the same rules, without any extra help. However, with TSA’s new Families on the Fly Campaign, there’s a shift.
Why Security Has Always Been a Mess for Families
Why Security Has Always Been a Mess for Families
If you’ve ever flown with a toddler, you already know. Everyone’s got to take off their shoes. You need to pull out the tablet, the baby formula, and the bag of random tiny liquids you didn’t even want to bring.
It’s exhausting. And while you're trying not to drop your boarding passes or lose a pacifier, the line behind you is inching forward, full of impatient travelers tapping their feet. The truth is, the system wasn’t built with families in mind. It was built for speed, and speed doesn’t mix well with toddlers and tiny shoes.
Families on the Fly Program - A Savior for All Parents
Families on the Fly Program - A Savior for All Parents
In summer 2025, TSA finally rolled out this new program. It’s a simple fix that should’ve happened years ago: designated security lanes just for families and military travelers.
Families on the Fly Airports
Families on the Fly Airports
Currently, these special lanes are operational in busy hubs like Orlando (MCO) and Charlotte (CLT). Airports in Honolulu, Orange County, Charleston, Jacksonville, Rhode Island, San Juan, and Tampa are next.
What These Family Lanes Are Like
What These Family Lanes Are Like
First, these lanes are marked so you can be in the right place without any hassle. Second, a dedicated set of TSA agents is appointed here who are trained to support families.
But most importantly? The pace is slower, and you’re not rushed; it’s calmer and more manageable. And it feels like someone finally thought this through.
PreCheck Is Now Cheaper for Families
PreCheck Is Now Cheaper for Families
Along with the new lanes, TSA also dropped the cost of PreCheck for families from $100 to $85 per person for a five-year membership. If you’ve never used it before, here’s what it does:
You get to skip the part where you take off your shoes and dig through your bag for electronics and tiny shampoo bottles. Everything stays in, resulting in less hassle.
Even if you only fly once or twice a year, the time and stress saved are worth it.
The Response From Recent Travelers
The Response From Recent Travelers
The early response is pretty solid. Parents say the new lanes feel less chaotic, and they appreciate having dedicated lanes and cooperative agents. Military families, who often travel with kids and gear, say it’s a huge relief not to feel like they’re in the way.
What’s Next?
What’s Next?
More airports will be rolling out these lanes in the coming months. And it’s not just about separate lines, some terminals are looking into setting up nearby seating, quiet zones, or play areas so that families can regroup before or after security.
This shift away from the one-size-fits-all approach is long overdue. Not every traveler has similar needs, and building flexibility makes sense.
Final Takeaway
Final Takeaway
Flying with kids has always felt like surviving a battle, but not any longer. There’s finally a little breathing room with dedicated family lanes, trained TSA agents, and a more affordable PreCheck option. It’s not perfect, but it’s a real step forward.
So if you’re planning to fly with your kids soon, keep an eye out for these new family lanes. They won’t fix every travel headache, but they might make getting to your gate feel a lot less like a battle.
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