Flying to the U.S. from Canada? You Might Soon Keep Your Shoes On!

Travelers flying to the United States from Canada might soon enjoy a more relaxed airport screening process. Ottawa has announced plans to review and potentially align its security procedures with those of the U.S., after a major change south of the border.

This update comes as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officially scrapped the long-standing requirement for passengers to remove their shoes during airport security checks.

No More Shoe Removal at U.S. Airports

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed this change recently, stating that new screening technologies now allow passengers to keep their shoes on. According to Noem, these tools offer equal, if not better, levels of protection, without the hassle.

The original rule was introduced after the 2001 “shoe bomber” incident, when Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his footwear on a flight from Paris to Miami. It became standard practice at U.S. airports around 2006.

What This Means for Canada-U.S. Travelers

Currently, Canadian airports don’t require shoe removal for domestic or international flights, unless a security officer specifically requests it.

However, there’s an exception: travelers heading to the U.S. from Canadian airports using pre-clearance areas must still remove their shoes. These sections are managed in partnership with U.S. border authorities, and follow American screening standards.

That may soon change.

In a statement, Transport Canada said it “will work with the Transportation Security Administration to ensure requirements are aligned.” While no timeline has been given, this could signal the end of mandatory shoe removal for U.S.-bound passengers from Canada.

Why This Matters for Travelers

If you’ve ever flown to the U.S. from a Canadian airport, you know the pre-clearance areas often feel like mini U.S. terminals, same procedures, same rules.

Dropping the shoe removal requirement would not only streamline the process but also improve passenger flow and reduce bottlenecks at busy hubs like Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International.

For travelers, this could mean:

• Faster screening times
• Less hassle at security checkpoints
• A more consistent experience across different destinations

What to Expect Next

Transport Canada hasn’t provided a specific date for implementation. For now, if you’re flying to the U.S., expect to remove your shoes unless notified otherwise. But this update is likely on the horizon.

Stay tuned to Transport Canada’s website and the TSA official site for further announcements.