TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

For roughly 25 years after the 9/11 attacks, airport security checkpoints stopped most friends and family members from accompanying departing passengers to their gates. The TSA has now changed this policy to allow some people without plane tickets to access the gate areas again. The specific details of who qualifies for this new access are not yet clear from available information.

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National43 articles from 28 sources across the spectrum· Updated 18d ago

11 across the spectrum · tap a section to jump

The story so far

3 developments
  1. Sep 5Only center coverage:TSA now allowing non-ticketed visitors into terminals at several U.S. airports
  2. Sep 8TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11
  3. Sep 10Only lean-right coverage:TSA revives pre-9/11 tradition with gate access for certain travelers without tickets

Who covered each development

No new developments

Quiet for 19 days

Last development · Sep 10 — TSA revives pre-9/11 tradition with gate access for certain travelers without tickets

The bigger story

This story is one of several related ones. Here's where it sits.

You are hereSep 5, 2026

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

3 developments · 28 sources
How each side is putting it

Left

5 viewpoints
The Daily DotLeft· 19d ago

A TikToker Explained the TSA’s New Gate Access Program for Non-Ticketed Visitors and the Comment Section Immediately Divided Over Whether It’s a Good Idea

Ran by 8 outlets across the spectrum· NPR, Philadelphia Inquirer
NPRLean Left· 20d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· 21d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

The Boston GlobeLean Left· 21d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after Sept. 11

QuartzLean Left· 21d ago

TSA is letting PreCheck members past airport security without a plane ticket

Latin TimesLean Left· 21d ago

TSA Just Let Non-Flyers Back Past Security Check — Check If Your Airport Is One Among the 13 Testing Gateside

Center

5 viewpoints
Ran by 8 outlets across the spectrum· Federal News Network, WPRI Providence, +2 more
Federal News NetworkCenter· 18d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

WPRI ProvidenceCenter· 19d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

WHEC RochesterCenter· 20d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

WTOP Washington DCCenter· 21d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

CBS NewsCenter· 19d ago

TSA unveils new program allowing some non-flyers to get through security without a ticket

CBS NewsCenter· 20d ago

TSA program will allow some people to go through security without a ticket

The HillCenter· 21d ago· ran in 10 outlets

TSA now allowing non-ticketed visitors into terminals at several US airports

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort WorthLean Left· 21d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets

Right

1 viewpoint
Ran by 2 outlets· New York Post, FOX Business
New York PostLean Right· 19d ago

TSA revives pre-9/11 tradition with gate access for certain travelers without tickets

FOX BusinessLean Right· 19d ago

TSA revives pre-9/11 tradition with gate access for certain travelers without tickets

Ran by 8 outlets across the spectrum· Triblive, MyNorthwest
TribliveLean Right· 20d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

MyNorthwestLean Right· 21d ago

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

Other outlets

International, entertainment and tech outlets, by their rating. Not counted in the bar above. How we count coverage

Left

1 article
The GuardianLean Left· 20d ago

US airports to let some people without tickets pass through security

Center

0 articles

None

Right

0 articles

None

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11 | Slantwise