Flying with kids is about to get easier—TSA’s new lane just launched

If you’ve ever tried juggling a stroller, a diaper bag, and a toddler’s meltdown while inching through airport security, you’re not alone. And now, the TSA is finally doing something about it.

I’ll never forget flying to Italy with my three kids to visit my grandmother, who was gravely ill. My usually chill baby turned into a full-blown volcano in the TSA line—flinging snacks, pacifiers, and teethers across the terminal. My older two were loudly digging through the diaper bag and announcing (to everyone) that they had to pee. I was sweating through my sweatshirt before we even reached the bins.

But on the way home? Completely different story. At the airport in Italy, there was a dedicated family lane. The agents smiled. They held the door for my double stroller. They didn’t rush us. For the first time, I felt seen as a parent flying with young kids. And I remember thinking: why don’t we have this in the U.S.?

Now, it looks like that’s finally starting to change.

TSA just launched “Families on the Fly”

On July 18, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced a new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) program called “Families on the Fly.” It’s aimed at easing travel stress for parents by introducing dedicated TSA lanes for families traveling with small children.

The pilot launched at Orlando International Airport (no surprise there—hello, Disney), with plans to expand to other busy travel hubs across the country.

“They’ll be expanded areas that will give them the benefit of recognizing that they have children with them, and will help make sure that we have the ability to take care of them and their families as they go through this expedited process with their kiddos,” Noem said at a press conference at Nashville International Airport, according to NBC News.

Related: How to Take Your Dream Vacation with Kids

What the new TSA policy includes:

• Designated TSA security lanes for families with young children, beginning in Orlando and expanding nationwide.
• $15 TSA PreCheck discount for families who apply.
• Free PreCheck enrollment for Gold Star families.
• “Honor Lane” access for military members and their families—already active at 11 airports and expanding.

Noem said these changes are part of a broader push to improve the travel experience for communities who’ve often been overlooked, especially caregivers and military families.

“These tokens of gratitude are just a small amount of what we can do in this country to honor those who serve in our military,” she said during the announcement.

Why this matters for traveling families

Air travel with young children is notoriously challenging, and security checkpoints are often cited as one of the most stressful parts of the journey. While Noem did not cite specific data at the press conference, past surveys—such as a 2025 report from LugLess—show that TSA screening remains one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of travel.

The new family lanes aim to reduce that chaos, giving parents space to breathe, time to fold up a stroller, and the peace of not feeling rushed while managing young kids in line.

Related: A pediatrician grandma’s $20 travel tip is going viral—and parents are rushing to Amazon

Where you’ll see these new lanes:

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) – “Families on the Fly” pilot
• Nashville International Airport (BNA) – “Honor Lane” for military families
• 10 additional airports also offering “Honor Lanes” for service members, with plans for broader rollout near military installations

What else is changing at TSA?

Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced that travelers no longer need to remove their shoes at TSA checkpoints, a huge win for families trying to wrangle multiple kids and carry-ons.

Noem has also hinted that the liquid rule may be next to change. While nothing’s official yet, she said the department is evaluating whether updated scanners could eventually allow for larger liquids in carry-ons. (For now, the 3.4-ounce rule still stands.)

Sources:

1. DHS launches “Families on the Fly” pilot program. July 18, 2025. NBC News. DHS launches “Families on the Fly” pilot program.
2. 71% of travelers now avoid checking bags as growing rebellion against the airport experience continues, new LugLess survey reveals. May 28, 2025. Business Wire. 71% of travelers now avoid checking bags as growing rebellion against the airport experience continues, new LugLess survey reveals.
3. DHS ends TSA’s shoes-off travel policy. July 8, 2025. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. DHS ends TSA’s shoes-off travel policy.
4. Major change to liquid rule at TSA teased as U.S. looks to add new scanners. July 10, 2025. The U.S. Sun. Major change to liquid rule at TSA teased as U.S. looks to add new scanners.