US Airport Security in 2026: Shoes Stay On, REAL ID Is Enforced, Liquids Still 3-1-1

Shoes: off is over

TSA dropped mandatory shoe removal in 2025. It applies in standard lanes, not just PreCheck. Officers can still ask individual travelers to remove shoes if something needs a second look, so wear shoes you can slip off anyway.

REAL ID: enforced, with an expensive fallback

REAL ID enforcement began on 7 May 2025. A passport, passport card, Global Entry card or other listed ID also works. According to current reports, travelers arriving without any acceptable ID face a paid identity-verification process at the checkpoint — described as a $45 fee and up to 30 minutes — and may be denied if identity can’t be confirmed. Treat it as an emergency option, not a plan.

Liquids: still 3-1-1, with exceptions by lane

The 3.4 oz / 100 ml container rule in a single quart bag remains the national standard. The change is in the equipment: computed-tomography (CT) scanners at large hubs such as Atlanta, JFK and LAX let some lanes screen bags with liquids and laptops left inside. Whether you can leave liquids in the bag depends on the lane you’re in that day — follow the officer’s instructions rather than assuming.

Reports that TSA “may soon” relax the liquid limits are speculation about future policy; nothing has changed on container size as of this report.

What it means for you

• Keep the quart bag packed and accessible; you’ll need it at most airports and in most lanes.
• Check your ID now, not at the airport. A passport is the simplest universal answer.
• Wear slip-on shoes anyway — it costs nothing and covers the case-by-case requests.
• PreCheck still pays: shorter lines, laptops and liquids in the bag, and it’s the key to the new Gateside visitor program.

Frequently asked

Do I still have to take my shoes off at TSA?

No. TSA ended mandatory shoe removal in standard lanes in 2025; officers can still ask on a case-by-case basis.

What happens if I don't have a REAL ID?

You can fly with a passport or another accepted ID. Without any acceptable ID, reports describe a paid identity-verification process at the checkpoint that can take up to 30 minutes — don't rely on it.