Arizonans without Real ID may still be able to fly — but "no guarantee," TSA warns

Axios

07-05-2025

After more than a decade of delays, Wednesday is the enforcement deadline to have a Real ID to board a commercial aircraft in the U.S.
Yes, but: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is now saying passengers without proper credentials will still be allowed to fly, but with extra screening.
Driving the news: Noem told a congressional panel Tuesday that those who still lack an identification that complies with the Real ID law "may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step," the Associated Press reported.
"But people will be allowed to fly," she said. "We will make sure it's as seamless as possible."
Zoom in: Phoenix Sky Harbor spokesperson Eric Everts told Axios the airport will station employees pre-security this week to assist travelers with questions about the new ID requirements.
Those who do not have a Real ID will be diverted to separate lines near TSA security checkpoints for additional identity verification, he said.
Between the lines: TSA spokesperson Patricia Mancha told Axios that security officials will work to verify the identities of people without Real IDs, but there's "no guarantee" they'll be able to do so promptly.
She recommended these individuals arrive at the airport well in advance of their flights.
They will go through the same process as people who lose their ID while traveling and arrive at the airport without any documentation, Mancha said.
They'll be asked questions about themselves (previous addresses, etc.) and be subject to additional screening of their belongings and person.
What they're saying:"It's really a numbers game. If we have 100 people who don't have an ID and you're 99, that's when time becomes an issue," Mancha told us.
She noted that TSA plans to separate people without Real IDs from other passengers to avoid delaying people who came prepared.
Catch up quick: Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government have one standard source of identification, rather than accepting state driver's licenses, which have state-specific requirements.
The Real ID adoption date has been delayed numerous times — the initial deadline was in 2008.
In addition to air travel, Real ID requirements apply to visits to military bases and secure federal buildings like courthouses.
How it works: Arizona's version of Real ID is called the Arizona Travel ID. It's available as either a driver's license or state ID card.
They're distinguishable as Real IDs by a black or gold star in the upper-right-hand corner.
By the numbers: The Arizona Department of Transportation has issued about 2.77 million Travel IDs since they first became available in 2016, up from 2.5 million in February.
Caveat: Passports are Real ID-compliant, so long as they're not expired, and can be used in place of a state Travel ID.
About half of Arizonans have a valid passport, per estimates from the Center for American Progress, a think tank.
The fine print: Arizonans can still secure a Travel ID by visiting an ADOT office (appointments are recommended and can be secured online). The department recommends doing so at least two weeks before scheduled air travel.