TSA’s New E-Gates Are Now Live at Newark. Here’s Who Can Use Them.

Updated: September 3, 2026, 12:50pm CDT

Edited by:

Jump to Section

Table of Contents

TSA E-Gates Arrive at Newark Airport
Who Can Use Newark’s TSA E-Gates?
Final Thoughts

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Getting through airport security at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) may be getting a little faster — and a lot more hands-off.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has rolled out new technology that could make the security process more seamless for some travelers, with fewer stops and fewer things to pull out along the way. There are some restrictions on who can use it, though.

Here’s what you need to know about TSA’s new e-gates at Newark (EWR).

TSA E-Gates Arrive at Newark Airport

The TSA has begun testing automated e-gates at Newark (EWR), offering some travelers a new way to skip the identity-check portion of airport security.

Instead of stopping to hand an ID or boarding pass to a TSA officer, eligible travelers enter the e-gate and have their photo taken. The system uses facial recognition to verify their identity, and once cleared, the gates open.

TSA E Gates CLT — TSA previously tested its new facial recognition e-gates at CLT and DCA before bringing the technology to EWR. Image Credit: Charlotte Douglas International Airport

From there, everything works like normal. You’ll still need to send your bags through the X-ray and go through the standard TSA screening process.

Newark isn’t the first airport to test the technology. TSA has also trialed e-gates at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

TSA says the automated gates can save around 3 seconds per passenger. That might not sound like much, but at a busy airport where thousands of travelers pass through security every day, those few seconds can add up.

Who Can Use Newark’s TSA E-Gates?

For now, the new e-gates at Newark will be restricted to passengers flying United Airlines from Terminal C who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck and have opted in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID through United.

Touchless ID uses facial recognition to compare the photo taken at security with passport information already on file. That allows eligible travelers to complete the identity-check portion of security without showing a physical ID or boarding pass.

Travelers who don’t want to use facial recognition don’t have to. Taking a photo and using the e-gates is optional, and you can still go through the traditional TSA process instead.

Hot Tip:

Flying United from Newark? You can opt in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID by adding your Known Traveler Number and passport information to your United MileagePlus profile, then turning on Touchless ID in the United app.

Final Thoughts

Anything that can make getting through airport security a little quicker is a welcome addition, even if these new e-gates only shave a few seconds off the process.

For now, they’re only available to a small group of travelers at just 1 airport, Newark, but TSA is clearly testing the waters. If the trial goes well, we could see e-gates become a much more common sight at airports around the country.