Imagine walking through airport security without ever pulling out your driver's license, passport, or even your boarding pass. Thanks to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, that futuristic vision is becoming a reality for millions of travelers.
By Spring 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expanding its Touchless ID program to 65 major airports across the United States. If you're already a TSA PreCheck member, setting this up is completely free—but you do need to actively opt in before your next flight.
Here’s exactly what TSA Touchless ID is, which airlines are participating, and how you can activate it for your next trip.
What is TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is a voluntary program that enhances the traditional security screening process by using facial comparison technology.
Instead of handing your ID and boarding pass to a TSA officer at the podium, you stand in front of a specialized camera monitor in a dedicated Touchless ID lane. The camera takes a live photo and instantly matches your face to the passport photo currently on file with the Department of Homeland Security. Once verified, the gates open or the officer waves you through.
According to the TSA, this makes the security process:
- More convenient: No fumbling through your bags or wallet for physical documents.
- More efficient: It speeds up the TSA PreCheck process even further, getting you to your gate faster.
- More secure: It utilizes advanced biometric technology to reduce human error in identity verification.
Are You Eligible?
To participate in the Touchless ID program, you must meet three basic requirements:
- You must be an active TSA PreCheck member (or have it via Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI).
- You must have a valid U.S. passport.
- You must have an active frequent flyer profile with a participating airline.
If you only have a driver's license on file and do not have a U.S. passport, you cannot currently opt into Touchless ID. The system relies on the digital photograph previously taken for your physical passport.
Which Airlines are Participating?
Because the opt-in process is handled through your flight reservation, you must be flying with an airline that has integrated with the TSA's new biometric system. Currently, the participating airlines include:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
If you're flying an airline not on this list (such as JetBlue or Spirit), you will have to use the standard TSA PreCheck lane and show your physical ID.
How to Opt In and Use Touchless ID
You don't configure Touchless ID on the government's website; you activate it directly in your airline's app or profile. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Update Your Airline Profile: Log into your frequent flyer account (e.g., Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus).
- Add Your KTN: Ensure your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is saved in your secure traveler details.
- Add Your Passport: You must enter your valid U.S. passport number and country of issuance into the airline app, even if you are just flying domestically.
- Opt-In to Biometrics: Look for the "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID" toggle in your profile settings and turn it on to explicitly grant consent.
- Check Your Boarding Pass: When you check in for your flight, look for the Touchless ID indicator on your mobile boarding pass.
When you arrive at the airport, look for the signs pointing to the dedicated "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID" lane. Step up to the camera, wait for the green light, and you're good to go!
Do I Still Need to Bring My Physical ID?
Yes. You absolutely still need to bring your physical driver's license or passport to the airport.
Even if you successfully opt into the Touchless ID program, technology isn't perfect. If the camera lens is smudged, the lighting is poor, or the system experiences an outage and cannot match your biometrics, the TSA officer will simply revert to standard identity verification procedures. You must carry a REAL-ID compliant physical document as a backup and present it if asked.
What About Privacy Concerns?
It's natural to be wary of giving up biometric data, but the TSA maintains strict privacy constraints for the Touchless ID program.
According to their official Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), traveler data and images are deleted immediately after your identity is verified under normal operating conditions. At maximum, your data is completely purged from their systems within 24 hours of your scheduled departure time.
The facial capture system is strictly for airport identity verification—the TSA explicitly notes that these images are not used for law enforcement profiling, ongoing surveillance, or shared with other entities.
Get Started Faster
If you aren't yet a Trusted Traveler but want to take advantage of futuristic features like Touchless ID, you need to apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
If you're stuck waiting months for a Global Entry interview to get your KTN, skip the backlog by using Appt Helper. Our automated scanners will monitor the DHS calendar 24/7 and send you a text message the second a cancellation opens up, allowing you to finish your enrollment in days instead of months.