Waiting in long lines, emptying your pockets, and removing liquids and laptops to place them on the x-ray conveyor belt are all things that might add tension to airport travel, especially when traveling as a family.

This procedure, however, is becoming less complex at numerous airports across the United States. TSA is investing $1.3 billion in the installation of hundreds of new state-of-the-art baggage scanners starting this summer.

Security personnel will have a much better idea of what’s in each bag thanks to the scanners, which use computed tomography technology to generate a 3D, rotatable image of the contents. Condé Nast Traveler notes that its functionality mirrors that of hospital CT scanners in significant ways. The images are more detailed than those produced by a conventional X-ray, meaning passengers will not have to empty their bags as often.

Checkpoints equipped with CT scanners will allow passengers to keep a greater number of things in their carry-ons, such as laptops and other large electronics, travel-sized liquids, and most food items.

Although these changes may not seem like much at first glance, they will ultimately save passengers an enormous amount of time, which is especially important given the high volume of summer travel.

A new survey fromThe Vacationer found that over 54% of American adults, or over 139 million people, plan to fly at least once this summer. That’s an increase of eight million travelers compared to 2022.

“Deploying these units across our security checkpoints as expeditiously as possible will also improve checkpoint efficiency and the passenger experience,” David Pekoske, TSA Administrator, stated in apress release recently.

Larger U.S. airports with this equipment already exist, such as John F. Kennedy in New York, O’Hare in Chicago, and LAX in Los Angeles. TSA is now installing CT scanners at smaller airports across the nation, including Adirondack Regional Airport in upstate New York, Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, and TF Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island.

Airports in the United Kingdom are installing the same scanners, with the added benefit of allowing full-sized liquids in carry-on bags thanks to the scanners’ 3D images. Despite the increasing availability of CT scanners in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration estimates that it will be several more years before U.S. authorities consider relaxing restrictions on carry-on liquids, asDetour previously reported.

Passengers can purchase a TSA PreCheck or Clear membership, which also enables them to leave on shoes and light jackets at security, for an even more streamlined security experience. Depending on the airport, travelers may also be able to schedule a free appointment for the security line and be led to the front, effectively providing a free fast lane for those who organize in advance.

Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of any developments within it. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all.

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