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Sunwing Airlines has announced that they have become the first Canadian leisure carrier to be awarded entry into the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) expedited screening program, TSA Precheck®. Available at 180 U.S. airports, travellers that are approved by TSA Precheck depart through a dedicated screening lane and do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets.
According to TSA, in December alone 97 per cent of TSA Precheck passengers got through an expedited screening lane in less than five minutes. (As always, TSA continues to incorporate unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travellers will be screened, and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening.) The program now has 30 airline partners.
Sunwing passengers that are already members of a trusted traveller program such as Global Entry or NEXUS are already eligible to benefit from TSA Precheck screening when they depart from any of the participating U.S. airports. Access to the program is simple; customers present their NEXUS or Global Entry membership card at check in and, once verified, will be provided with a boarding card denoting their TSA Precheck acceptance. They can then proceed to the TSA Pre✔ clearance lane.
The airline is also in the process of upgrading their booking portal so that passengers can enter in their details ahead of their arrival at the airport to further expedite the process.
The news was welcomed by Mark Williams, president of Sunwing Airlines, who said, “Delivering an excellent customer experience is of paramount importance to us, and we are extremely pleased to be awarded entry into this program. We look forward to working with TSA in continuing to improve travellers’ experience in processing through security, while still maintaining their utmost safety.”
Operated on one of Canada’s youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets made up exclusively of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, customers can choose between 34 gateways across Canada to reach their vacation destination.
Once on board, travellers can get their vacation off to the right start with the airline’s award-winning champagne service that includes a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage service together with an extensive buy on board menu of light meals and snacks with dishes inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. They’ll also benefit from in-flight entertainment, and knapsacks filled with toys and games for children.
