Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration, announced the change in a press conference on July 8. The new TSA policy went into effect immediately. “TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through our security checkpoint," Noem said.

The new policy aims to increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times.

While shoes can now stay on at airport security, the following items still need to be removed from your body or luggage: Additionally, any carry-on liquids, gels and aerosols still must abide by the "3-1-1" rule: It is also important to empty miscellaneous items from your pockets, such as keys and wallets.