As part of its continued efforts to improve the airport experience for travelers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting families during airport security screening. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of several U.S. airports now offering dedicated family lanes under the “Families on the Fly” program—an initiative designed to ease the travel process for parents and young children, particularly during the busy summer season.
The family-specific security lanes are tailored to address the unique challenges that come with traveling with children, such as managing strollers, car seats, and diaper bags. The goal is to reduce stress for families while maintaining TSA’s rigorous security standards.
“We understand that air travel can be challenging, especially for parents managing strollers, diaper bags, and young kids,” Pete Garcia, TSA Federal Security Director for Orlando said in a press release. “That’s why we’re excited to launch ‘Families on the Fly’—a dedicated TSA security lane at every checkpoint, tailored for families with children 12 and under. This program goes beyond convenience; it’s about addressing the unique needs of traveling families to provide a smoother, more supportive experience at our security checkpoints. We’re dedicated to making travel smart, secure, and family friendly.”
In addition to MCO, the initiative is also being implemented at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. More airports across the country are expected to introduce similar dedicated family lanes in the near future.
As part of the broader “Families on the Fly” campaign, TSA plans to roll out discounted TSA PreCheck® application fees for families, along with dedicated PreCheck lanes for U.S. military personnel and their families.
The new initiative complements TSA’s summer-wide hospitality campaign, “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease,” which launched earlier this month. That program was created to recognize and support military service members and their families by offering expedited screening options. At select airports, service members have access to dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes, front-of-line privileges, and other streamlined services, particularly at locations near major military installations.
TSA reminds travelers departing from Orlando and other participating airports that active-duty military personnel and civilian Department of Defense (DOD) employees can use their DOD ID number as their Known Traveler Number when booking flights to receive free TSA PreCheck benefits. Children 12 and under may join eligible service members in the PreCheck lane without restriction, while minors aged 13 to 17 must be on the same reservation as a TSA PreCheck-eligible adult.
The TSA Cares program also remains available to passengers with disabilities, medical conditions, or those requiring extra assistance, providing a more accessible and supportive experience through the screening process.
Travelers are encouraged to prepare for security screening in advance, especially during peak travel periods. For more information on the “Families on the Fly” program, military benefits, and TSA Cares, visit tsa.gov. Real-time assistance is available by texting questions to 275-872 (“AskTSA”) or reaching out via @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger. The TSA Contact Center is also available at 866-289-9673.