Air Canada enrolled in TSA PreCheck
The Transportation Security Administration is extending the PreCheck passenger screening program to passengers flying on international airlines, as Air Canada becomes the first non-US airline to sign up to the scheme.
Following Air Canada, TSA officials said other foreign carriers will also join and are talking to a number of other airlines.
Air Canada operates to more US airports than any other foreign airline.
It serves 49 US airports but PreCheck expedited screening will only be available at 41.
For the time being, the TSA says Air Canada passengers will have to print boarding passes at airport check-in desks to use the program.
It said later this year PreCheck passengers on Air Canada will be able to print boarding passes at home or use the airline’s mobile app.
The US government is encouraging the participation of foreign carriers to help checkpoint congestion and airlines will be required to upgrade computer systems at their own cost.
The PreCheck scheme would benefit carriers such as British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa as they carry a high proportion of US travelers, but the TSA is speaking to both large and small international carriers.
The program was launched in October 2011 and is now available at 118 commercial airports.
Roughly a third of the 14 million passengers who travel every week pass through fast-track PreCheck screening.
Passengers approved for PreCheck lanes do not need to remove shoes or jackets, can keep liquids and laptops in their bags and only pass through a standard metal detector, which the TSA says is twice as fast as a conventional screening line.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps