TSA plans to open redesigned PreCheck lanes at seven airports within six weeks, according to remarks from the agency's administrator that were reported on October 7, 2026. The new lanes put PreCheck passengers through body scanners and lean harder on automated screening equipment, so fewer steps depend on an officer doing the work by hand.
The reports don't name the seven airports, and TSA's press release page had no release on the plan when we checked on October 7, 2026. If you have PreCheck, there's nothing to change about your next trip yet. Here's what has been reported, what hasn't, and how to get PreCheck if you don't have it.
What Changes in the New Lanes
Here's what the redesigned PreCheck lanes are reported to include:
- Body scanners for PreCheck passengers. The plan has PreCheck travelers walk through a body scanner as part of screening in the new lanes.
- More automated screening. The redesigned checkpoints are expected to rely more on automated screening equipment, so officers do less of the work by hand.
TSA has been adding technology at checkpoints for a while. Its newer CT scanners for carry-on bags have a slightly smaller entry tunnel, so not every large carry-on fits, as our CT scanner explainer covers. Some PreCheck lanes already use facial matching through Touchless ID.
Which Airports Get Them
Seven, within six weeks. The reports don't name them, so we won't guess. When TSA names them, its press release page is the first place to look.
What to Do Now
If you already have PreCheck, keep using it the way you do today. Until TSA says where the new lanes are opening, there's nothing to plan around.
If you don't have PreCheck yet, our TSA PreCheck guide covers what it costs, how enrollment works and what the lane still gets you. Several travel cards reimburse the application fee, and our list of ways to get PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR Plus free shows which ones. If you fly internationally, read PreCheck vs. Global Entry first, since Global Entry includes PreCheck.
The Bottom Line
Your PreCheck membership doesn't need anything from you today. Watch TSA's press release page for the airport list, and see our TSA PreCheck and Global Entry hub for what PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR each cost and which cards pay the fee.
