REAL ID deadline arrives for air travel in the U.S.

How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.

Introduction:

The news topic “REAL ID deadline arrives for air travel in the U.S.” has drawn international attention, with various media outlets providing diverse insights, historical context, political stances, and on-the-ground developments. Below is a curated overview of how different countries and media organizations have covered this topic recently.

Quick Summary:

• The REAL ID Act was supposed to start in 2008 but varying state processes and the COVID pandemic added more and more extended deadlines leading to Wednesday. People without the star on their ID will not be allowed in federal buildings or visit military bases, posts, and camps. It’s taken nearly two decades to get this finally implemented. About a million of people living in South Carolina however do not have one. The deadline for getting a REAL ID is Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the U.S. and 11 a.k.a. in South Africa. For more information on how to get a Real ID, visit www.RealID.org. In South Carolina, go to www.SouthCarolina.gov/RealID or call 1-800-273-8255.
• After nearly two decades of extensions, the REAL ID deadline has finally arrived. Passengers at Nashville International Airport are among the first required to show a REAL ID to fly within the United States. TSA is warning travelers to expect major delays around upcoming holidays, especially with Memorial Day and the Fourth of July approaching.REAL IDs are also required to enter secure federal facilities. Have you experienced delays getting your REAL ID? Share your experience or ask questions about the new requirements by emailing aaron.cantrell@newschannel5.com. For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. For support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch or click here.
• Travelers flying within the United States now need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an approved passport. USA TODAY reporters were at airports nationwide, talking to travelers and answering your REAL ID questions. After years of delays and deadline extensions, the REAL ID requirement officially took effect May 7. Whether you’re flying soon or unsure if you’re ready, continue reading for answers to frequently asked questions, expert advice and firsthand experiences.. The average wait time was nearly an hour and a half as of 11:30 a.m. local time, according to the state Department of Safety and Homelan. A line stretched up the stairs outside the entrance to the William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower in downtown Nashville. The line moved slowly but steadily, with people appearing to exit the building every 10 minutes or so.

Country-by-Country Breakdown:

Original Coverage

The REAL ID Act was supposed to start in 2008 but varying state processes and the COVID pandemic added more and more extended deadlines leading to Wednesday. People without the star on their ID will not be allowed in federal buildings or visit military bases, posts, and camps. It’s taken nearly two decades to get this finally implemented. About a million of people living in South Carolina however do not have one. The deadline for getting a REAL ID is Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the U.S. and 11 a.k.a. in South Africa. For more information on how to get a Real ID, visit www.RealID.org. In South Carolina, go to www.SouthCarolina.gov/RealID or call 1-800-273-8255. Read full article

REAL ID deadline arrives: What travelers need to know before heading to the airport

After nearly two decades of extensions, the REAL ID deadline has finally arrived. Passengers at Nashville International Airport are among the first required to show a REAL ID to fly within the United States. TSA is warning travelers to expect major delays around upcoming holidays, especially with Memorial Day and the Fourth of July approaching.REAL IDs are also required to enter secure federal facilities. Have you experienced delays getting your REAL ID? Share your experience or ask questions about the new requirements by emailing aaron.cantrell@newschannel5.com. For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. For support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch or click here. Read full article

REAL ID deadline, enforcement was ‘very smooth’ at airports across the US

Travelers flying within the United States now need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an approved passport. USA TODAY reporters were at airports nationwide, talking to travelers and answering your REAL ID questions. After years of delays and deadline extensions, the REAL ID requirement officially took effect May 7. Whether you’re flying soon or unsure if you’re ready, continue reading for answers to frequently asked questions, expert advice and firsthand experiences.. The average wait time was nearly an hour and a half as of 11:30 a.m. local time, according to the state Department of Safety and Homelan. A line stretched up the stairs outside the entrance to the William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower in downtown Nashville. The line moved slowly but steadily, with people appearing to exit the building every 10 minutes or so. Read full article

REAL ID deadline arrives; LaGuardia, MacArthur lines moving smoothly

Lines moved quickly and exceptions were made for travelers without their upgraded driver’s licenses or other valid identification documents. Real IDs were technically required for air travel starting Wednesday, following a 20-year roll-out by the U.S. government. There were identical reports of mass exceptions for REAL-ID-less travelers at airports across the nation — at Los Angeles, Nashville, Minneapolis-Saint Paul and beyond. Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said she didn’t know when the exceptions would end.. Wayne Franklin, 55, of Birmingham, Alabama, who works for an ad agency, was flying back, and took his REAL ID with him. He said he was flying from New York to Los Angeles and that he was looking forward to getting back to his home in Alabama. He was flying with his wife, who was staying with him in Los Angeles. Read full article

REAL ID deadline arrives after years of delays. Here’s what you need to know.

The Real ID is a federal mandate that has been 20 years in the making. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has been issuing roughly 119 Real IDs daily, on average. If you have not upgraded to the Real ID, you can still take a flight within the United States, as long as you have a valid passport. You will, however, be subjected to extra screenings and additional bag checks if you don’t have a Real ID. The deadline for Real ID was May 7, 2025, but the deadline for the new ID is May 1, 2023, and May 2, 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. To stream NCM on your phone, you need the NCM app. To watch NCM live, click here for a live stream of the show. to watch the show on a mobile device, visit CNN.com/NCM. Read full article

Missed the REAL ID Deadline? Here’s What You Need to Know to Fly Without One

Starting Wednesday, May 7, a regular ID won’t cut it for travelers looking to fly within the U.S. The best way to avoid long wait times is to obtain a REAL ID before your flight. The TSA provides a list of documents, such as an Enhanced Driver’s License or ID, that can substitute for REAL IDs for domestic airplane travel. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to use a Real ID for international travel; a passport is still required for this.. The Department of Homeland Security states that the REAL ID Act enforces the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification” and forbids federal entities from accepting documents that don’t meet these standards. It provides minimum security measures for state IDs and licenses, and forbidsFederal entities from accept documents thatDon’t meet this standards. Read full article

REAL ID deadline, enforcement was ‘very smooth’ at airports across the US

Travelers flying within the United States now need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an approved passport. USA TODAY reporters were at airports nationwide, talking to travelers and answering your REAL ID questions. After years of delays and deadline extensions, the REAL ID requirement officially took effect May 7. Whether you’re flying soon or unsure if you’re ready, continue reading for answers to frequently asked questions, expert advice and firsthand experiences.. The average wait time was nearly an hour and a half as of 11:30 a.m. local time, according to the state Department of Safety and Homelan. A line stretched up the stairs outside the entrance to the William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower in downtown Nashville. The line moved slowly but steadily, with people appearing to exit the building every 10 minutes or so. Read full article

Global Perspectives Summary:

Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.

How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.

Sources:

• Original Article
• REAL ID deadline arrives: What travelers need to know before heading to the airport
• REAL ID deadline, enforcement was ‘very smooth’ at airports across the US
• REAL ID deadline arrives; LaGuardia, MacArthur lines moving smoothly
• REAL ID deadline arrives after years of delays. Here’s what you need to know.
• Missed the REAL ID Deadline? Here’s What You Need to Know to Fly Without One
• REAL ID deadline, enforcement was ‘very smooth’ at airports across the US

Source: https://www.wtoc.com/2025/05/07/real-id-deadline-arrives-air-travel-us/