There Are 2 Types of No-fly Lists — What to Know About Each One

The ability to book a flight is a privilege, not a right, and it can be taken away under certain circumstances. You might have heard of something called the no-fly list — yes, it's a real thing. In fact, there are two types of no-fly lists, and you really don't want to be on either of them. The more severe kind is a federal anti-terrorism program, while the less severe type is maintained by individual airlines for unruly passengers. Here's what you need to know about both no-fly lists.

What is the federal no-fly list?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintains the no-fly list with individuals prohibited from "boarding an aircraft when flying within, to, from, and over the United States." These individuals are part of the federal terrorist watchlist; administered by the FBI, the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) holds a database of "information on people reasonably suspected to be involved in terrorism (or related activities)." Some people on the terrorist watchlist — but not all — are added to the TSA no-fly list. Others on the terrorist watchlist are allowed to fly in U.S. airspace, but may be subjected to additional security screening.

How do I know if I'm on the federal no-fly list?

It' simple — you won't receive a boarding pass. Though the federal government does not disclose how individuals end up on certain watchlists (potential threats could use that information to avoid detection) or who is on them, the TSA may inform you if you're added to the no-fly list. If you receive such a letter, you're given a chance to appeal the decision.

Does being selected for extra security screening at the airport mean I'm on the federal no-fly list?

No, being selected for extra screening at the airport does not mean you're on the no-fly list. According to the TSA, "Many people falsely believe that they are experiencing a screening delay because they are on a watchlist. In fact, such delays are often caused by a name similarity to another person who is on the watchlist." And in most cases, secondary security screenings are random — any passenger may be selected.

If you're regularly selected for extra screening — and you're not linked to terrorist activities — you can apply for the Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP). Provided you're not deemed a security threat, you'll be given a redress number to add to your airline bookings, which will help smooth out your airport security experience in the future. "Ninety-eight percent of individuals who apply for redress have no nexus to the terrorist watchlist," notes the TSA on its website.

What is an airline no-fly list?

Airlines reserve the right to ban passengers from flying with them — typically it's unruly passengers who are added to a carrier's internal no-fly list. Unruly behavior can range from being too inebriated on a flight to assaulting a flight attendant. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that in addition to being banned from flying an airline, unruly passengers can be fined up to $37,000; convicted of a felony by the FBI; and be removed from or banned from the TSA PreCheck program, depending on the severity of the incident.

Is there a universal no-fly list for unruly passengers?

There is no nationwide or worldwide no-fly list of unruly passengers. Thus, theoretically, someone banned from one airline can still fly on another. In 2022, Delta CEO Ed Bastian called for the addition of unruly passengers to the federal no-fly list, but his request hasn't been approved yet.