Can I fly in the US with a felony warrant?
Asked by: Tom Durgan | Last update: January 8, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (50 votes)
The possibility of flying with a warrant depends on various factors. In the US, you can board a plane with an order in place, but airlines can deny you boarding if they suspect you're trying to avoid prosecution or disrupt an investigation. Flying with an outstanding warrant might be challenging.
Do airports look up warrants?
Airports are high-security zones where passengers undergo thorough checks for safety and national security reasons. But do airports check for warrants? Generally, security personnel at airports and airport security officials themselves do not specifically check for outstanding warrants.
Can you get on a plane with a felony warrant?
Generally, it is possible to board a plane in the United States with an active warrant. However, whether or not that flight will actually take off is a different story. Airlines can deny boarding under certain conditions, without warrant information.
Can you fly within the US with pending felony charges?
If you have pending felony charges, you may be required to appear in court for various court hearings, including arraignment, pre-trial hearings, and trial. The court may impose travel restrictions on you, requiring you to remain within the jurisdiction where the case is pending.
Can a warrant stop you from traveling?
A bench warrant does not stop you from flying, but if you run into any law enforcement agency in transit (most warrants show in national criminal databases) you most likely will get arrested and possibly held without bail until your court date.
Can i Fly with a Felony warrant at an airport
Can you fly within the US with a warrant?
The possibility of flying with a warrant depends on various factors. In the US, you can board a plane with an order in place, but airlines can deny you boarding if they suspect you're trying to avoid prosecution or disrupt an investigation. Flying with an outstanding warrant might be challenging.
Does TSA check for warrants on Reddit?
They won't. TSA is about bombs and guns and other threats to air travel security. If you're a fugitive felon, it's possible that the state or Feds have requested the airline to run their passenger manifest against the fugitive felon file. But that's unlikely unless you're literally on the "no fly list".
Can you still fly with a felony?
U.S. citizens have a constitutional right to travel abroad. Having a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from getting a passport. The State Department typically only denies passports for specific reasons like: Owing $2,500+ in child support.
Do pending felonies show background check?
States have different laws about the types of pending charges that can be reported on background checks. For example, California allows the inclusion of all pending charges in background checks.
Can I travel within US while my case is pending?
Traveling within the U.S. with a pending Adjustment of Status application is allowed, but be sure to carry proper identification such as your EAD card or a state-issued ID. Starting in May 2025, REAL ID compliance will be required for state IDs and driver's licenses, so check now to ensure your ID is compliant.
Do ID scanners show warrants?
When law enforcement “runs” your ID, if the officer wants it to, it can reveal wants, warrants and criminal history.
Does TSA catch warrants?
Typically, airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) don't scan for arrest warrants when choosing who to allow on a flight.
Do they check for warrants at the border?
Many travelers wonder if CBP is alerted when an inbound passenger has a warrant for their arrest issued. Yes, CBP is alerted.
Do airports run background checks on passengers?
The Transportation Security Administration is expanding its screening of passengers before they arrive at the airport by searching a wide array of government and private databases that can include records like car registrations and employment information.
Can I get a passport with a warrant?
Additional Charges that Can Lead to a Passport Denial
You may have outstanding traffic fines that won't affect your passport approval. However, your passport can be denied if you have an outstanding warrant for a local, state, or federal felony offense.
What does TSA see when they scan your ID?
An agent will review your name, photo, address and date of birth, then cross-check to see that the information on your travel documents matches your ID. Keep in mind that the Real ID Act is now in effect, and it aims to deter terrorists' ability to use fake or fraudulently obtained IDs.
Can a pending felony be dropped?
A felony charge may be dropped before trial if new evidence comes to light proving innocence or casting reasonable doubt. It may also occur if the prosecutor decides the case is too weak to lead to a conviction.
Does Amazon hire felons?
Yes, Amazon does hire felons. Your eligibility for employment will depend on the type of felony, time since you have fulfilled your sentence and corrective actions you have completed.
What is a red flag on a background check?
A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.
Does TSA know if you are a felon?
TSA may also determine that an applicant is not eligible if the security threat assessment process reveals extensive foreign or domestic criminal convictions, a conviction for a serious crime not listed in Part A or B below (including some lesser included offenses of serious crimes; e.g. murder/voluntary manslaughter), ...
What can stop you from flying?
an infectious disease (e.g. chickenpox, flu), including COVID-19. decompression sickness after diving (sometimes called 'the bends') increased pressure in the brain (due to bleeding, injury or infection) infection of your ears or sinuses.
Can you have a passport with a felony?
Passport Eligibility for Felons
U.S. citizens have a constitutionally protected right to travel abroad. Having a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from getting a passport. The State Department typically only denies passports for certain reasons like: Owing $2,500+ in child support.
Can you fly with felony warrants?
No,the airline will not check if you have warrants when they sell the ticket or when you check in at the airport. But authorities may be monitoring tickets sold out of the state and if they see your name they may arrest you at the airport if you are in violation.
Do US airports check for warrants?
TSA's Role – The primary objective of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is to ensure passenger safety by screening for threats like weapons, explosives, and other prohibited items. They do not actively search for individuals with arrest warrants.
Does warrants pop up on a background check?
Standard criminal background checks typically will not show outstanding warrants such as an open warrant or a bench warrant. An open warrant for someone's arrest is a warrant that has been issued by a magistrate or judge but has not been executed.