For more than two decades, saying goodbye at the airport gate has been off the table for anyone not holding a boarding pass. That restriction dates back to the security overhaul after September 11, 2001, when non-travellers were pushed back behind ticket counters. Now the TSA is carefully reopening the gate — at least for some people.

The new programme is called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, rolling out in 2026. It lets non-passengers clear security and accompany travellers to the gate, the way people did before 2001. The catch: you need to already have a Known Traveler Number, meaning you've been vetted through TSA PreCheck. Even then, you can't just turn up. You apply online for a day pass, with the application window open one to three days before your visit, and approval covers a single calendar day. Children can be added to an adult's application. Once through, you still face the same security screening as anyone else — Real ID or passport, standard rules, the lot.

So why bother? The TSA's pitch is pretty relatable: greeting or waving off loved ones at the gate, meeting friends who are passing through on a layover, and getting access to the restaurants and shops that are often the best food in the building. That last point is a genuine draw — airport dining has improved dramatically in recent years, and some terminals now hold restaurants worth a trip in their own right.

The rollout starts small. Gateside is live at 13 airports, including two of the country's busiest: Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles International (LAX). More airports are expected to join, so it's worth checking whether your home hub is on the list before getting excited.

Reaction online has been split. Nostalgia is the big theme — people fondly recall walking grandparents or partners right to the gate before the rules changed. Others see it as a chance to raid airport restaurants without a flight. But the sceptics have a point too: security lines and gate areas are already crowded, and adding visitors won't help. One commenter summed up the cynicism neatly: you can now pay airport beer prices without the inconvenience of actually flying. The TSA seems aware of the crowding risk — the fine print warns that gate access may be limited during peak hours.

Who does this actually matter for? Frequent flyers with PreCheck who regularly drop off or pick up family, anyone meeting a friend mid-layover, and people who want airport lounge-adjacent perks without a ticket. If you already pay for TSA PreCheck, Gateside is essentially a free bonus on top. If you don't, it's unlikely to justify the enrolment fee on its own — but it might tip the scales if you've been on the fence. Either way, the idea of un-escorted restaurant runs and proper gate-side goodbyes is back on the table, at a growing handful of US airports.

Story via Islands.