TSA's Enhanced Security Screening Process Offers A More Convenient & Efficient Experience

TSA PreCheck is a frequent traveler's secret weapon for getting through security as quickly and seamlessly as possible. With that little green check mark on your boarding pass, there's no need to take off your shoes or remove electronics from your bag. It sounds like the perfect way to get through security until you realize that TSA PreCheck's worth is debatable as more and more travelers get it, leading to longer security lines that aren't as efficient as they used to be. In response to this uptick in PreCheck lines, TSA is now rolling out a new, quicker way to get to your gate. TSA PreCheck Touchless ID utilizes facial recognition technology to grant entrance to security, so guests won't even have to show their ID at the security checkpoint. This brand new development in airport security has been implemented in 15 major U.S. airports and five airlines, as of this writing.

This new way of traversing security is designed to be more convenient and efficient for frequent travelers. It may feel a bit dystopian to get your face scanned by a security machine, but passengers can be assured that the pictures TSA takes of you are not used for surveillance by law enforcement, and your photo is deleted within 24 hours of your flight departure. While you don't need to show an ID to get through security with Touchless ID, you should still keep your ID on hand, in case it is asked for by the TSA officer.

There are a few requirements you will need to know before applying for TSA PreCheck and its Touchless ID process. First, in order to qualify for this upgrade, you must already be a registered TSA PreCheck user. You can apply for TSA PreCheck online on the TSA website. A booked flight and an active airline account with one of the five qualifying airlines are also required to opt in. As of November 2025, TSA Precheck Touchless ID has only been implemented with the following airlines at select airports: American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines. You must also have a valid passport, with the information entered in your active airline account. With your Known Traveler Number (KTN) and passport information loaded onto your airline account, you should then be able to opt in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID when you check in for your next flight at a qualifying airport. 

At the time of this writing, TSA Precheck Touchless ID has only been implemented in the following airports: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW), Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark Liberty (EWR), Portland International Airport in Oregon (PDX), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Salt Lake City (SLC), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA). Be sure to check the TSA website to see if your airport and airline qualify for TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, and make sure you have the PreCheck symbol on your boarding pass before going through security.