TSA Debuts Touchless ID to Streamline Security
Travelers no longer have to fumble for their ID at airport security thanks to the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program. This facial recognition system replaces the traditional ID check by matching a live image of the traveler to a stored passport or visa photo, eliminating the need to hand over a physical credential. As Real ID enforcement begins in May, Touchless ID offers a seamless alternative for those enrolled in TSA PreCheck.
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID captures a traveler’s face from the chin up at a kiosk equipped with a camera and secure software. The image is converted into a biometric template and compared against a pre-staged gallery of passport or visa photo templates held in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Traveler Verification Service (TVS). Once the system confirms a match, the traveler proceeds through the PreCheck lane without showing their ID or boarding pass to an officer.
The Department of Homeland Security first introduced biometric technology at airports in 2002 for bag drop and border control. In 2022, TSA rolled out Credential Authentication Technology machines that allowed travelers to scan a physical ID and boarding pass without officer interaction. Touchless ID takes the next step by relying solely on facial recognition, removing IDs from the process entirely and reducing contact points at security checkpoints.
The pilot began in March 2021 at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in partnership with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. After a successful initial rollout, TSA expanded the program in June 2022 to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Since then, Touchless ID has spread to major hubs including Los Angeles International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in collaboration with Delta. United passengers now use the service at Los Angeles and Chicago O’Hare, and Alaska Airlines travelers enrolled in PreCheck can access Touchless ID at Atlanta and Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
Passengers report that Touchless ID significantly cuts wait times. With facial recognition, travelers step up to the kiosk, have their photo taken in seconds and receive a quick notification that they may proceed. No documents change hands, reducing lines and potential ID misplacement. The system is fully voluntary and available only to enrolled PreCheck members who have already passed a rigorous background check.
Privacy and security remain top priorities. TSA and CBP designed the system so biometric templates are stored in a secure database and cannot be converted back into recognizable images. The live photo only exists momentarily to create the template, and all data handling complies with federal privacy rules. Travelers who prefer to use their physical ID can still opt out of Touchless ID and follow the standard PreCheck or regular security screening procedures.
As Touchless ID expands to more airports, TSA plans to refine the technology, increasing the speed and accuracy of the facial-matching process. Future enhancements may include integration with mobile devices and expansion to TSA’s standard lanes for passengers without PreCheck. With seamless identity verification and improved throughput, TSA PreCheck Touchless ID represents the next evolution in airport security, offering a faster, safer and more convenient experience for millions of travelers each year.
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