TSA unveils new family checkpoint at Honolulu airport

Families with children now have a dedicated Transportation Security Administration checkout lane in the main terminal of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. 

The lane — located in Terminal 2 (international and domestic flights) at TSA Checkpoint 4 — is part of TSA’s new Families on the Fly program, which aims to ease travel burdens for families and relieve overall congestion at TSA checkpoints within the terminal.

“Here at HNL and select other airports across the country, TSA has launched dedicated family lanes to recognize the unique challenges that parents and their children may face when traveling, as well as to minimize their stress while maintaining the highest level of security here,” said TSA security director for Pacific airports Nanea Vasta at a news briefing on Wednesday.

The dedicated checkpoint has been open to families since its soft rollout on July 24. According to TSA, about 3,000 individuals pass through the checkpoint each day. Based on the early success, Vasta said a similar family checkpoint will likely be established in Terminal 1, which services interisland flights.

Vasta said dedicated checkpoints offer shorter lines and hands-on support from TSA officers, who can help families with carry-on bags, strollers and other items.

“This family-friendly lane can help lessen the congestion across the airport and other security lanes as well, resulting in an improved passenger ‘throughput’ and a better traveling experience for families and all travelers alike,” she said.

Family checkpoints have also been established at Orlando International Airport; Charlotte-Douglas International; John Wayne Orange County Airport; Jacksonville International; Will Rogers International Airport; Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport; and Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.

The Families on the Fly program also includes a $15 TSA pre-check enrollment discount.

Curt Otaguro, the state deputy director of transportation for airports, said the new family checkpoint aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize the facility and improve the overall travel experience for the estimated 10 million travelers who pass through the airport each year.

The HDOT initiative also includes the recent release of two new free airport wayfinding apps for HNL and Lihue Airport that help travelers navigate each airport terminal and access flight information and connect to the respective airport website for further information about airport services.

The apps use blue dot wayfinding technology, similar to Google Maps or Apple Maps, through which a pulsing blue dot estimates the user’s physical location on the airport map to assist in navigating the terminals. App users can search for points of interest, including check-in, baggage claim, agricultural inspection stations, security checkpoints, departure gates, food and beverage options, retail shops, lounges, restrooms and ground transportation.

The HNL Airport App includes an online parking count feature, with estimated available parking counts refreshed every 10 minutes.

The HNL and LIH apps can be downloaded for free from Google Play and Apple Store. An app for Kahului Airport is under development.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at [email protected].