How has TSA screening changed in 2026?
Airport passenger screening is shifting from manual bag checks and ID review to automated, technology-driven checkpoints. The four biggest airport security changes travelers will notice in 2026 are:
- CT scanners let passengers keep laptops and liquids in their bags. CT technology can create a much clearer picture of a bag’s contents and automatically detect explosives.
- PreCheck Touchless ID uses facial comparison technology to verify a traveler’s identity with a photo instead of a physical ID, making the process more efficient. TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is currently available at 65 airports.
- Automated Screening Lanes (ASLs) process multiple passengers at once, enhancing security efficiency while reducing checkpoint wait times.
- Electronic gates (eGates) have been introduced at a handful of airports to expedite identity verification. A TSA public-private partnership has allowed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and other airports to implement eGate technology.
Why Airport Security Screening is Changing
Passenger volume, evolving threats, and staffing challenges are pushing TSA and its private screening partners towards automation. The goal isn’t just lower wait times, but also higher detection accuracy with less reliance on manual judgement calls. BOS Security has operated under the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program since 2009, providing passenger and baggage screening services under federal oversight, which gives us a direct operational view of how these technologies perform at actual checkpoints.
What is CT (computed tomography) screening for airport security?
CT screening uses the same 3D-imaging technology as medical CT scans to generate a rotatable, 360-degree image of a carry-on bag’s contents. Unlike traditional 2D X-ray, CT allows Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to examine an item from any angle without opening the bag.
Why CT matters in airport security
CT scanners provide enhanced threat detection capabilities, reducing false alarms. They also make the screening process more convenient and quicker for travelers by allowing them to leave laptops and 3-1-1 liquids packed in their bags.
How does facial recognition work at airport security checkpoints?
TSA’s PreCheck Touchless ID program lets enrolled PreCheck members verify their identity with a live photo instead of a physical ID or boarding pass. The system compares the live image to the photo on file and confirms flight status in seconds.
- The pilot program initially launched in 2021
- Expanded to 65 airports by January 2026, including ATL, LAX, JFK, O’Hare, and more
- Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines are participating airlines
- The program is opt-in
- TSA states photos are not retained for surveillance purposes
This is separate from Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2), the camera-equipped ID-verification kiosks TSA has used since 2018, which perform a one-to-one match against a passenger’s physical ID rather than a database search.
What are automated screening lanes (ASLs)?
ASLs use wider conveyor belts, automatic bin return, and CT integration to let multiple passengers load belongings simultaneously instead of single-file. TSA has installed automated screening lanes at checkpoints nationwide as part of its capital modernization plan, with newer installations.
What is self-service or virtual queue screening?
Two related but distinct innovations are being piloted:
- Self-service screening kiosks (tested at Harry Reid International Airport, LAS) let passengers walk through automated instructions and resolve simple alarms without a TSO stepping in every time.
- Virtual queueing exemplified by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s SEA Spot Saver program, lets travelers reserve a specific checkpoint arrival window to avoid peak-hour lines.
CT scanners vs. traditional X-ray screening
| Traditional 2D X-Ray | CT (computed tomography) | |
| Image Type | Flat, single-angle | 3D, rotatable 360° |
| Laptops & Liquids | Must be removed | Can stay in the bag |
| False Alarm Rate | Higher | Lower (with automated explosives detection) |
| Checkpoint Throughput | Standard | Faster once fully staffed and trained |
Frequently asked questions about airport security
Do I still need to remove my shoes at TSA checkpoints?
In July 2025, TSA eliminated the shoes-off requirement for most passengers at checkpoints because of improvements in screening technology. Policy can vary by airport and passenger, so check current guidance at TSA.gov before flying.
Is TSA facial recognition mandatory?
No. PreCheck Touchless ID and standard checkpoint photo comparison are opt-in. Travelers can request a manual ID check instead.
Do CT scanners replace Transportation Security Officers?
No. CT scanners assist TSOs by generating clearer images and flagging items automatically. A trained officer still reviews and clears each image.
What’s the difference between TSA-run screening and a Screening Partnership Program (SPP) contractor?
Under the SPP, private companies like BOS Security provide passenger and baggage screening at select airports under full TSA oversight, using the same federally approved technology and standards as TSA-staffed checkpoints. The screening standard doesn’t change; only the employer of the screening officers does.
The bottom line
Airport screening is moving toward technology that verifies identity and inspects bags with less manual handling and fewer false alarms. CT scanners, touchless biometrics, automated lanes, and virtual queueing are no longer pilot projects; they’re becoming standard infrastructure at major U.S. airports. For screening partners like BOS Security, operating under the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program since 2009, adopting these tools means the same federal security standard delivered with less friction for travelers.
BOS Security provides passenger and baggage screening services under the TSA Screening Partnership Program (SPP), a role it has held since 2009. Learn more about the SPP or request a security assessment.experience reliable and professional service backed by federal oversight and private sector innovation.