As summer travel picks up, airports are stepping up to tackle long lines at security checkpoints. To provide a more efficient experience, several airports are implementing reservation systems. The software allows travellers to schedule their screenings in advance before ever stepping foot in the airport.
One such airport is Denver International Airport, which recently soft-launched DEN Reserve.
This free online service enables passengers to make reservations for security screenings up to three days prior to their flight. Additionally, if slots are still available, travellers can even book day-of appointments between one to four hours before departure.
Although the third-busiest airport globally, Denver International Airport imposes some limitations. Reservations are only accessible from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early morning or evening flyers won’t benefit from this service. The platform issues passengers a QR code via email, which they must present alongside an approved form of identification at the security checkpoint. Notably, the reservation system is exclusively for general screening passengers, as those with TSA PreCheck or Clear memberships are ineligible.
“With approximately 70 million travellers passing through Denver International Airport each year, providing efficient options for getting to their gates is crucial,” says airport spokesperson Ashley Forest, according to USA Today.
Following suit, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport launched a similar program called “MSP Reserve”. This platform allows passengers to reserve a security slot up to one week in advance. Reservations are limited to Terminal Two checkpoints between 3:45 a.m. and 8 a.m.
The airport is testing this service as a 90-day pilot program with potential expansion to other terminals and times of the day. Officials hope that reservations will help regulate the flow of travellers and ultimately lead to shorter overall lines.
Denver and Minneapolis join a growing list of over a dozen airports worldwide offering security screening reservation systems. Nineteen airports have implemented such systems in partnership with Clear, although Clear members are not eligible to utilise them. Orlando International Airport was the pioneer, launching its reservation system in October 2021.
