American Airlines passengers flying out of Miami International Airport can now schedule their TSA checkpoint screening time with MIA Reserve, a free reservation service. During the six-month pilot program that began on September 20 with security technology firm Pangiam, software and consultancy company Copenhagen Optimization, secure identity platform CLEAR, and American Airlines, reserved screening times are available daily to the carrier passengers at MIA’s TSA Checkpoint 4 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Travelers can schedule their flight up to 72 hours before a flight.
According to the MIA press release, passengers should reserve their spot early to secure their preferred appointment time. Appointments are available up to 60 minutes before domestic flights and up to 90 minutes before international flights.
“As MIA continues to set new records in passenger traffic, I’m proud to see that we are also exploring new ways to streamline the airport experience for our visitors,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “MIA Reserve has the potential to help many of our travelers get through the security checkpoint faster than ever before.”
How it works
You must sign up at MIA Reserve up to 72 hours before your flight or when you arrive at MIA.
Then, select American Airlines as your airline and enter your destination, flight number, full name, number of people in your party, and contact information to reserve your spot, and then you’ll receive a QR code by email to use when you arrive at your scheduled MIA Reserve time.
Once at the Miami International Airport, remember to check your bags or complete any additional check-ins before your appointment time.
Go to Checkpoint 4 near Door 7 and show the checkpoint staff your MIA Reserve QR code so they can direct you to your lane.
If a traveler didn’t pre-schedule an MIA Reserve time before arriving at MIA, they can still make a reservation by using their smartphone to scan the QR code on the MIA Reserve signs at Checkpoint 4 and then setting up an appointment.
A grace period of 10 minutes per appointment allows MIA Reserve customers to arrive at the queue line any time within the 10-minute window after their appointment time. Anyone arriving more than 10 minutes past their appointment time must enter through the regular queue lanes. Checkpoint wait times may vary by date and time, and expedited service is not guaranteed.
Passengers traveling with a group may book on behalf of the other passengers in their traveling party by specifying the total party size during the reservation process. The maximum group size eligible to enter under one appointment is 10 passengers.
Best Reservation System
“MIA and American Airlines are leaders in innovating on behalf of travelers, so Pangiam is proud to partner with them on MIA Reserve to make the security experience more predictable,” said Pangiam CEO Kevin McAleenan. “Together with CLEAR and Copenhagen Optimization, we’re deploying the best reservation system for airport security in the nation at MIA.”
MIA Reserve is only available to general screening passengers to help provide a better screening experience for those without a trusted traveler program. All TSA PreCheck passengers flying American Airlines will continue to be screened at MIA’s TSA Checkpoint 1 to receive their PreCheck benefits, such as not having to remove their shoes and electronics.
Also, beginning in October, MIA will launch the first phase of biometric boarding at its passenger gates, which will allow travelers to board international flights with just the quick, touchless click of a camera.