Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
A total of 180 airlines participate in the program, which expedites security screening.
Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is among the latest batch of 11 U.S. and foreign airlines to join a Transportation Security Administration program that offers expedited security screening at South Florida airports and others nationwide.
With the TSA PreCheck program, preapproved U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents don’t have to remove shoes, light jackets and belts, or pull out laptops or small containers of liquids and gels from carry-on bags during security screening.
Joining Spirit in this latest round of TSA PreCheck approved airlines are Aruba Airlines, Avianca, Boutique Airlines, Emirates, Key Lime Air, Miami Air International, Southern Airways Express, Sunwing, Virgin Atlantic and Xtra Airways, the TSA announced.
A total of 30 airlines now participate in TSA PreCheck, which is available at more than 180 U.S. airports. More than 4 million people are now enrolled in the federal program.
“By collaborating with our partners in industry and the aviation community, we will continue to increase the number of airlines participating in TSA PreCheck, enabling more eligible travelers across the country to experience expedited screening,” said Huban Gowadia, TSA’s acting administrator, in a statement.
In December, 97 percent of TSA PreCheck passengers got through an expedited screening lane in less than 5 minutes, according to the TSA.
In South Florida, all three international airports participate in TSA PreCheck, which benefits departing travelers who are enrolled in the program. The application costs $85 for five years and interested travelers are encouraged to enroll online at tsa.gov and then make an appointment at an enrollment center to complete the process. Approved travelers will receive a Known Traveler Number or KTN and will have the opportunity to use TSA PreCheck security lanes.
Other participating airlines include Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, American, Frontier, Allegiant, Virgin America, WestJet, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country, according to the TSA.
In addition to TSA PreCheck, the Miramar-based carrier is offering customers an option to move more quickly through the checkpoint line to get through security screening faster.
With Shortcut Security, which costs $15 for each departure, travelers are given access to the quickest possible lane to get through the security screening, Spirit said. These lanes may have Shortcut Security signage or be marked as “priority” or “premium” depending on the participating airport. Anyone can purchase the optional service and no application process or special requirements are required, Spirit said.
Shortcut Security is available in 12 airports including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and New York’s La Guardia Airport, according to Spirit.
“Between TSA PreCheck and Shortcut Security, Spirit is committed to providing a fast, safe and seamless experience for our customers, all while saving them money to spend at their final destinations,” said John Bendoraitis, chief operating officer and senior vice president.