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.

27 across the spectrum. Choose a side on the bar to jump to it.

National story. 43 articles from 28 sources. 27 are on the bar; 1 is an international, entertainment or tech outlet, listed separately. Updated Sep 10, 2026.

How each side is putting it

Left

7 sources
The Daily DotLeft· Sep 10, 2026

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· Sep 9, 2026

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

Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· Sep 8, 2026

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

The Boston GlobeLean Left· Sep 8, 2026

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

QuartzLean Left· Sep 8, 2026

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

Latin TimesLean Left· Sep 8, 2026

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

Center

16 sources
Ran by 8 outlets across the spectrum· Federal News Network, WPRI Providence, +2 more
Federal News NetworkCenter· Sep 10, 2026

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

WPRI ProvidenceCenter· Sep 10, 2026

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

WHEC RochesterCenter· Sep 9, 2026

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

WTOP Washington DCCenter· Sep 8, 2026

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

CBS NewsCenter· Sep 10, 2026

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

CBS NewsCenter· Sep 8, 2026

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

The HillCenter· Sep 8, 2026· ran in 10 outlets

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

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort WorthLean Left· Sep 8, 2026

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets

Right

4 sources
Ran by 2 outlets· New York Post, FOX Business
New York PostLean Right· Sep 10, 2026

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

FOX BusinessLean Right· Sep 10, 2026

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· Sep 9, 2026

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

MyNorthwestLean Right· Sep 8, 2026

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· Sep 9, 2026

US airports to let some people without tickets pass through security

Center

0 articles

None

Right

0 articles

None

The story so far

2 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

Who covered each development

No new developments

Quiet for 46 days

Last development · Sep 8 — TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

The bigger story

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