A new TSA option lets trusted travelers access airport gates even when they are not flying, with a free application tied to a Known Traveler Number and a limited rollout at a set of airports now and more to come.
I remember standing at a gate as a child, pressed against the glass to watch a plane take off and waiting at the gangway to see my father step off the jet. Those small rituals were common before tighter rules around access took hold. They mattered because travel used to let families and friends share those in-between moments.
After September 11, access beyond the security checkpoint was restricted to ticketed and screened travelers, and that has been the norm for decades. That change reshaped how we say goodbyes at airports, pushing most farewells to curbside or the ticketing area. Now the TSA is testing a limited reversal of that strict gate-only policy.
The program is called Gateside by TSA PreCheck and it grants eligible travelers entry to the terminal beyond security even when they do not have a boarding pass for a flight. Eligibility is tied to an approved Known Traveler Number and a simple online registration. The intent is to allow welcomes and send-offs, meetups during layovers, and access to dining and shopping before a flight.
Here’s more from TSA:
The Golden Age of Travel is taking off. Gateside by TSA PreCheck provides members with access to the terminal beyond airport security, even when they aren’t flying. Just use your KTN to apply and use the same dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for a smoother entry. As an exclusive benefit for our most trusted travelers, this new program makes it easier to return to the gate for welcomes and send-offs, meet friends during a layover, and enjoy dining and shopping along the way, bringing back the moments that once defined air travel.
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The program is currently available at thirteen airports across the country, including major hubs and regional fields alike. The list represents a mix of high-traffic and mid-size airports chosen for the initial rollout. Availability is limited to these locations until the TSA scales the effort further.
- Arizona — Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)
- Arkansas — Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)
- California — Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- California — San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Indiana — Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- Kansas — Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
- Michigan — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Nebraska — Eppley Airfield (OMA)
- Nevada — Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Ohio — John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Oklahoma — Will Rogers International Airport (OKC)
- Texas — Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Utah — Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
To use the program, travelers must apply online at least one day before their planned visit and enter personal information along with their Known Traveler Number. Children can participate but must be registered with an adult accompanying them, and there is no fee to enroll in Gateside access. The goal is to make it straightforward for families and friends to plan a gate-side reunion or meetup.
At the airport, approved Gateside visitors will present an accepted form of identification and, when children are involved, a reservation or confirmation showing the accompanying traveler. Participants are expected to follow the same rules and code of conduct that apply to ticketed passengers once inside the sterile area. Security screening procedures remain in place and the dedicated lanes used by PreCheck members will be part of the entry process.
The TSA notes that Gateside access may be restricted during peak travel times or when airport operations demand tighter control, so approval does not guarantee entry in every instance. Airports will manage capacity to protect safety and flow, and local decisions may limit how many non-ticketed visitors can enter at a given time. The agency also plans to expand the program to additional airports over the coming months as it evaluates performance.
For many travelers this will restore small but meaningful moments around departures and arrivals without compromising screening standards. The program leans on existing vetting through Known Traveler Numbers to balance convenience and security. As the rollout continues, travelers should check eligibility requirements and plan at least a day ahead to secure access.
What this means in practice is a more flexible option for those who want to meet arriving loved ones or spend a layover together inside the terminal. It does not change ticketing rules or passenger responsibilities, and it relies on airports and TSA to manage capacity and safety. Expect broader availability only after the TSA works through the initial deployment and operational kinks.
