TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Suspended Starting Sunday - What Travelers Need to Know

UPDATE - After this article was published, TSA confirmed that PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public at this time. The agency noted that if staffing constraints arise, operations may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and adjusted as needed. Travelers should still allow extra time at airports. The status of Global Entry may vary, particularly for international arrivals.

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Beginning Sunday, February 22, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry will be temporarily suspended nationwide, meaning millions of travelers will no longer have access to expedited airport security screening or faster customs processing.

If you are flying on Sunday or in the coming days, your airport experience may look very different than expected.

The Department of Homeland Security announced the suspension as part of the ongoing federal funding situation, shifting personnel and resources toward maintaining core security operations. Standard screening will continue, but trusted traveler benefits will not be available for now.

What This Means at the Airport

Travelers who normally rely on TSA PreCheck may find dedicated lanes closed or operating as standard screening. Shoes, laptops, and liquids may need to be removed again, and wait times could increase significantly.

International travelers returning to the United States should also prepare for longer lines at passport control without Global Entry kiosks.

Airports across the country are likely to experience heavier congestion, especially during peak travel periods.

If You Are Traveling Soon

Preparation will be essential until normal operations resume:

• Arrive at the airport earlier than usual

• Expect standard screening procedures

• Allow extra time for connections and arrivals

• Monitor your airline and airport for updates

Even frequent flyers accustomed to moving quickly through security should plan for additional delays.

Why This Is Disruptive

Millions of Americans enrolled in TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to make travel more predictable and less stressful. Participants paid fees, completed background checks, and followed enrollment requirements with the expectation of a faster, more efficient experience.

Their suspension removes a layer of reliability at a a time when travel demand remains high. For families, business travelers, and anyone on tight schedules, the impact could be significant.

No Clear Timeline for Resumption

Officials have not announced when the programs will return. Service is expected to resume once funding issues are resolved and agencies can restore normal staffing and operations.

Until then, travelers should plan for longer waits and allow extra time for every step of the airport journey.

Affordable Skies Consumer Advisory

Affordable Skies is concerned about the direct impact this suspension will have on everyday travelers across the country.

Millions of passengers enrolled in TSA PreCheck and Global Entry in good faith, paying fees and completing extensive vetting in exchange for a more reliable travel experience. When these programs are halted, travelers lose not only convenience but predictability.

For many Americans, air travel is not optional. It is how people get to work, attend important events, access medical care, and stay connected with family. Disruptions of this scale create real consequences, from missed connections to added stress and uncertainty.

Travelers deserve continuity in the services they depend on and have paid for.

Affordable Skies urges policymakers to resolve the underlying issues as quickly as possibles so trusted traveler programs can be restored and disruptions minimized.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.