Clear Secure raises guidance after bookings surge 41 percent

Clear Secure Inc. (NYSE: YOU) reported first-quarter total bookings of $291.7 million, a 41 percent year-over-year surge that prompted the company to raise its full-year cash flow forecast.

"The seeds we planted to build the world's most trusted, secure identity platform are taking hold at a critical moment," the company stated in its earnings release.

Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 rose 19.7 percent to $253.0 million, while net income was $56.4 million, or $0.38 per diluted share. The company's free cash flow reached $185.5 million in the first quarter alone.

The results signal accelerating demand for Clear's identity verification services. The company boosted its full-year 2026 free cash flow guidance by $25 million to at least $465 million and projects second-quarter revenue of up to $271 million, representing 23 percent growth.

The strong performance was driven by continued growth in Clear's user base and expanding service offerings. Total CLEAR members grew by 31.3 percent from a year ago to 41.0 million, while the number of paying CLEAR+ airport members increased 13 percent to 8.2 million.

Metric	Q1 2026 Actual	YoY Growth
Total Bookings	$291.7 million	+40.8%
Revenue	$253.0 million	+19.7%
Free Cash Flow	$185.5 million	N/A
Net Income	$56.4 million	N/A

For the second quarter, Clear projects total bookings between $280 million and $285 million. Its upgraded full-year free cash flow guidance of at least $465 million suggests management expects the robust cash generation to continue.

Clear also demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns, paying out a regular quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share and a special dividend of $0.20 per share in the first quarter. The board has declared another $0.15 per share dividend payable in June.

The report highlights the successful expansion of Clear's platform beyond its core airport security lanes. The company now operates in 60 airports and has launched its eGate system across 43 of them, with a full network rollout planned for 2026.

The guidance increase and strong bookings growth suggest Clear's investments in new products and locations are paying off. Investors will watch whether the company can maintain its growth trajectory and margin expansion in the upcoming quarters.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.