VIP Security Lanes Paused at JFK and LAX Amid Shutdown

Published on Oct 30, 2025, 9:53 am CDT

4 min read

Key points

Delta confirms its dedicated Delta One security lanes at JFK and LAX are not active during the shutdown
TSA says most operations remain minimally impacted though occasional checkpoint delays are expected
FAA staffing shortfalls have triggered traffic-slowing measures nationwide in recent days
United says Premier Access priority security remains available while American reports no concierge disruptions
Premium flyers should build extra time and use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR where available

Impact

Premium Checkpoints Paused: Delta One dedicated security lanes at JFK and LAX are currently inactive
Expect Longer Queues: Occasional TSA delays likely as lower paid essential workers face strain
Use Program Benefits: Rely on TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or airline priority lanes where operating
Arrive Earlier: Plan 30 to 45 extra minutes at JFK and LAX, especially for evening departures
Monitor ATC Programs: FAA staffing triggers may slow traffic, increasing wait times at gates
Check Your Emails: Airlines may reroute you to alternate checkpoints at the airport

First class travelers flying out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are finding that Delta's premium shortcut, the dedicated Delta One security checkpoint, is temporarily off-line during the federal shutdown. Delta confirmed the special lanes, which normally let Delta One international customers bypass standard queues, "aren't currently active," and said it is working with the Transportation Security Administration to route eligible customers through other checkpoints.

What changed and why it matters

Delta's premium-checkpoints pause removes a key benefit for high-fare passengers, who now join standard TSA lines at JFK and LAX. The airline says it is coordinating with TSA locally to keep screening flowing, but customers should anticipate regular lanes and leave more time than usual.

The broader shutdown picture

TSA says most screening operations nationwide remain "minimally impacted," but occasional checkpoint delays should be expected. That aligns with on-the-ground reports from several large airports as the shutdown stretches on.

Air traffic control, ATC, staffing has been the other flashpoint. Over the past week, the Federal Aviation Administration has slowed traffic repeatedly when facilities dipped below optimal staffing, including a brief LAX ground stop on October 26, and more than twenty "staffing triggers" reported nationwide the same weekend, according to government and media reports. These measures increase ground delays and can ripple into longer wait times at security and boarding.

Airline by airline

Delta says its partnership model, which stations trained airline staff at dedicated checkpoints when operating, is constrained for now. The carrier is directing customers to alternate TSA locations inside the terminals until the special lanes return.

United Airlines, by contrast, says its Premier Access priority security remains available at dozens of airports, including major hubs such as LAX and Chicago O'Hare, though availability can vary by airport and ticket type. American Airlines reports no shutdown-related changes to its concierge services that include expedited security. Always verify your airport's lane status in the airline app before you leave for the airport.

Background, how premium security works

Airline-run premium checkpoints are built on local agreements with TSA. When active, they funnel eligible passengers, for example Delta One at JFK Terminal 4 and LAX, into a dedicated screening line separate from standard or TSA PreCheck. During staffing constraints, TSA can consolidate lanes or close premium points to keep throughput steady at the main checkpoint. Past coverage of the Delta One facilities at JFK illustrates how these checkpoints typically operate when staffed.

Traveler playbook

If you are booked in Delta One out of JFK or LAX this week, plan to arrive earlier and follow Delta's in-terminal signage to the active TSA checkpoint. Even with a premium ticket, TSA PreCheck or CLEAR will likely be your fastest option while the dedicated lane is paused. Keep an eye on potential ATC-related ground delay programs that can bunch departures and crowd checkpoints in the late afternoon and evening bank.

For a sense of current systemic strain, see our coverage of FAA staffing slowdowns and ground stops this week, including impacts around Newark. Internal reads: FAA Newark ground stop over staffing and Flight Delays and Airport Impacts: October 29, 2025.

Final thoughts

The pause of Delta's VIP security lanes at JFK and LAX is a visible sign of the shutdown's pressure on airport staffing. Until the dedicated checkpoints return, premium flyers should treat VIP access as a nice-to-have, not a guarantee, and default to tried-and-true time buffers, PreCheck, and real-time app alerts.