TSA PreCheck is a tremendous benefit to have. However, it only works if you’re flying a participating airline. Thankfully, that list keeps growing and just did as 8 airlines joined TSA PreCheck.
Honestly, TSA PreCheck is a must for me when I travel. I have so much electronic gear in my bag that it would take far too long to take everything out at the checkpoint. However, until last week’s announcement came out, I had no idea that some fairly prominent airlines still weren’t participating – especially when others in their global alliance and even their ownership group already were. Anyhow, without further adieu, here are the 8 airlines that joined TSA PreCheck last month.
8 Airlines Joined TSA PreCheck
In the closing days of March 2024, 8 airlines joined TSA PreCheck, including:
- Air Premia: a South Korean “hybrid” carrier that’s a blend of LCC-style product and premium service – at least that’s what it sounds like to me.
- Air Tahiti Nui: the flag carrier of French Polynesia, Air Tahiti Nui flies between Tahiti, Aotearoa, Japan, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Paris via Los Angeles. They’re also an American and Alaska partner, meaning you can earn or redeem AAdvantage or Mileage Plan miles when you fly with them.
- Air Transat: is a Canadian LLC that has just one route in the U.S. Odd.
- Bahamasair: as their name suggests, Bahamasair is headquartered in the Bahamas and focuses on Caribbean flying. They operate several routes to Florida and South Carolina.
- Bermuda Air: headquartered in Bermuda, this carrier focuses on bringing visitors from the eastern U.S. and Canada to, well, Bermuda.
- Iberia: is a member of Oneworld and was also a founding member of the International Airline Group (IAG) when it merged with British Airways in 2010. As I alluded to earlier, its interesting that it took them this long to participate, as BA has long been part of PreCheck, as has 2015 IAG addition, Aer Lingus.
- La Compagnie: is a Paris-based premium LCC, offering an all-business class experience between Newark and Paris-Orly.
- New Pacific Airlines: this is an interesting addition, as this Anchorage-based LCC currently flies only between Ontario, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.
That last one is a real head-scratcher. They’re supposed to provide inexpensive connectivity between the U.S. and Asia via Alaska but claim they can’t because of Russian airspace restrictions. So, they currently operate one route with their fleet of four former American Airlines Boeing 757s. Never mind the fact that we already have Asian LCCs such as Zip Air and Jin Air.
Final Thoughts
Yep. 8 airlines joined TSA PreCheck recently, and they couldn’t have been a more diverse bunch. I think the bigger story here, though, are the two that are Alaska Airlines partners. If and when the merger Hawaiian closes, HawaiianMiles members will have that many more options with convenient access to PreCheck once it is integrated with Mileage Plan. Exciting!
Of course, these eight airlines join a list totaling 99. It would’ve been 100, but Canada-based Lynx went under.