Asheville Airport: Tsa Precheck Availability And Benefits

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) offers a convenient travel experience, with nonstop flights and easy connections to major US hubs. Located just 12 miles from downtown Asheville, the airport provides a smooth and efficient journey for its passengers. AVL has recently introduced TSA Pre✓®, allowing travellers to expedite their security screening process. With strong interest in the program, TSA Pre✓® is now available during peak hours, making it a popular choice for travellers seeking a streamlined airport experience.

TSA PreCheck benefits

TSA PreCheck is available at the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) during peak hours. Here are some benefits of the program:

Expedited Security Screening

TSA PreCheck provides a separate, faster security screening lane for approved travellers. The wait time is typically five minutes or less, and about 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes. This can be especially useful during peak travel times, when the regular TSA line may be longer than expected.

Keep Your Shoes, Belts, and Light Jackets On

Travellers enrolled in TSA PreCheck are not required to remove their shoes, belts, or light outerwear jackets during the security screening process. This can make the process more convenient and less time-consuming.

No Need to Remove Laptops and Liquids from Carry-ons

With TSA PreCheck, you can leave your laptop and 3-1-1 liquid bags inside your carry-on bag when passing through the security checkpoint. This means you don't have to spend time digging out these items for separate screening, making the overall screening process smoother and faster.

Wide Acceptance

TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports and is accepted by over 90 airlines, including major carriers such as Delta, American Airlines, and United. This means you can enjoy the benefits of TSA PreCheck at most major travel hubs and with a variety of airlines.

Cost-effectiveness

The cost of TSA PreCheck is $85 for five years of membership. However, some credit cards offer reimbursement for the fee, or allow cardholders to use their points to pay for enrollment. Additionally, the renewal fee is typically lower if done online, and there are options to renew for a lower cost, such as with Clear ($68.95 online) or Idemia ($70 online).

Family Inclusion

Children 17 and under can accompany an adult with TSA PreCheck when it appears on the child's boarding pass. This means families can benefit from the expedited screening process together.

Enrolling in TSA PreCheck

To enrol in TSA PreCheck®, you must complete the process in person at a TSA PreCheck® application centre. You can pre-enrol online and then attend an in-person appointment, or you can walk into an enrolment centre without an appointment. The online application takes about five minutes to complete, and the in-person appointment takes about ten minutes.

During the in-person appointment, the enrolment provider will collect your biometric data (fingerprints and a photo), verify your identity documents, and collect payment. The application fee is $85, and it is valid for five years. This fee can be paid by credit card, money order, company cheque, or certified/cashier's cheque. Cash and personal cheques are not accepted.

You can enrol at a TSA PreCheck® application centre, or you can wait for an on-site enrolment event, which will be held at the Asheville Regional Airport in late March.

After completing your enrolment, you will receive a Known Traveller Number (KTN) via mail within a few days. This number is valid for five years. You should enter this number when booking airline reservations.

TSA PreCheck wait times

TSA PreCheck is available at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). The wait times for TSA PreCheck at the airport are typically five minutes or less. However, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight's boarding time to account for parking, check-in, and potential variations in TSA line length.

The TSA PreCheck line at AVL offers several benefits, including the ability to keep shoes, belts, and light outerwear jackets on, as well as the convenience of leaving laptops and liquids inside carry-on bags.

AVL has new X-ray scanners that do not require the removal of liquids or laptops from carry-on bags. This has contributed to a smoother security experience for passengers.

While the TSA PreCheck line typically offers faster processing, it is important to note that even with PreCheck, passengers may occasionally encounter longer-than-usual lines, especially during peak travel times. As such, it is always advisable to give yourself extra time when travelling through any airport, including AVL.

TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry

The TSA PreCheck® program is now available at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) during peak hours. This program allows travellers to keep their shoes, belts, and light outerwear on, and they can leave their laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags when they go through the checkpoint. The wait times are typically five minutes or less.

TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry are both Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler Programs. TSA PreCheck® provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. airports, while Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travellers when entering the United States. Global Entry membership also includes TSA PreCheck® benefits.

Global Entry is a good choice for those who travel internationally four or more times a year. It costs $120 for a five-year membership and requires a passport and an interview. TSA PreCheck®, on the other hand, is a great option for domestic travellers who take fewer than four international trips per year. It costs $77.95 - $85 for a five-year membership and can be renewed online for $68.95 - $70.

Both programs require fingerprinting and an ID check, but Global Entry has more stringent requirements and fewer enrollment locations. TSA PreCheck® has over 600 enrollment centres nationwide, while Global Entry interviews are conducted at major airports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection offices, and designated enrollment centres.

Some credit cards and frequent flyer programs reimburse the application fees for either TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry, so be sure to check with your credit card company or airline before applying.

Asheville Regional Airport's growth

The Asheville Regional Airport is currently undergoing a significant growth phase, with a $400 million expansion project called AVL Forward. The airport broke ground on this project in August 2023, marking the most significant infrastructure development in its history. The expansion includes a new terminal that will be 150% larger than the current one, increasing the number of gates from seven to twelve. The new north concourse, expected to be completed by summer 2025, will feature seven gates, six boarding bridges, a concession area, and restrooms. Phase one also encompasses the northern expansion of the ticket lobby, a temporary TSA checkpoint, and the south baggage claim expansion.

Following the completion of the north concourse, phase two will involve demolishing the south concourse to accommodate a second-level concessions plaza, a permanent TSA checkpoint, an expanded ticket lobby, and baggage claim area. This phase is anticipated to conclude by 2027, with an additional year of back-of-house work, including construction, demolition, and clean-up, to finish the entire project.

This expansion is a response to the airport's soaring popularity and passenger numbers. In 2022, the airport welcomed over 1.8 million passengers, a 29% increase from 2021, and it is projected to surpass that record in 2023, with monthly counts already 37% higher. This growth has propelled the airport to become the third busiest in the state, contributing $9.4 million in net revenue in 2022 and an estimated $2.26 billion in annual economic impact, supporting over 10,000 jobs.

The expansion will not only enhance the airport's physical capacity but also improve the overall travel experience. The new terminal will provide more space for ticketing, baggage claim, and concessions, along with additional TSA lanes to expedite security checks. The airport has also introduced TSA Pre-Check during peak hours, allowing enrolled travelers to expedite their security process and keep their shoes, belts, and light jackets on during screening.

Frequently asked questions