San Francisco International Airport Is California's First To Use This TSA-Approved Tech

Waiting in long lines to pass through TSA is inarguably one of the worst parts of traveling by plane. The wait time at most major airports in the U.S. is under 30 minutes, but during peak travel times, there are some airports where passengers are forced to wait for hours. If you don't show up for your flight well in advance, you run the risk of missing your plane altogether. TSA PreCheck and Clear are two popular ways to expedite the airport security process in the United States. Now, thanks to Clear's eGates at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), TSA lines may soon be a thing of the past. SFO is the first airport in the country to implement the new technology.

Clear is a company that uses biometrics to expedite the identity verification process at airport security. The company is privately owned but partners with TSA at over 70 airports in the United States. If you have a paid membership with Clear, you're usually able to make it through TSA much faster because you won't have to wait in line to be verified by a TSA agent.

The new technology at SFO takes things a step further. Now, Clear members will be able to scan their boarding pass on a machine, then scan their face on another machine before moving on to the baggage scan. Similar e-Gates were tested at a few airports earlier this year, but they officially opened at San Francisco's largest airport in November 2025. San Francisco International Airport is already one of the coolest airports around the world with one of the best airport lounges in America. This new perk will make flying out of The Golden City even more appealing to some travelers.

In a press release from August 2025, Clear called the new eGates a, "game-changer for travelers everywhere." Automated eGates are already the norm in many countries around the world. This is the first time people traveling within the United States can take advantage of them, and they could potentially help passengers reduce travel stress this holiday season. According to Clear, the new eGates are super simple. First, you'll scan your boarding pass at the Clear+ entry point, then you walk towards the eGate, which will scan your face. You probably won't even have to stop walking, according to the press release. After that, you'll place your bag on the scanner as usual and proceed through TSA.

The use of biometrics in airports (especially facial recognition technologies) has been somewhat controversial. The TSA website explains that biometrics are "the automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioral characteristics from which distinguishing, repeatable biometric features can be extracted for the purpose of biometric recognition. These characteristics, often called modalities, include—but are not limited to—fingerprints, iris patterns, or facial features that can be used for automated recognition." Opponents argue that using biometrics is an invasive form of government surveillance.

Clear assures members that the new eGates at SFO are "opt-in" and always will be. "You provide the images and biometrics we use and CLEAR only uses them for the services you signed up for. You will always know when you are interacting with our services. We never collect images or biometrics without permission," the website states. Members can also request that their data be deleted when they no longer want to participate in Clear's program. The company claims that it will never sell biometric data.

The new e-Gates are currently open in Harvey Milk Terminal 1, according to SFGATE. In order to take advantage of them, you'll have to become a Clear+ member. The membership costs about $209 per year. The Clear+ membership also includes five years of TSA Pre-Check for free. If you're already a member, you can add friends and family to your plan for a discounted per-person rate of $125. Clear members must be at least 18 years old, but kids that are 17 and under can use the Clear+ lanes for free if they're accompanying a member. If you're a mileage member with a major airline, you may qualify for a discount. Some credit card companies also offer their cardholders discounts on Clear+ memberships. 

In order to be approved, you will have to possess a valid form of identification, such as a United States driver's license that is REAL ID-compliant or a United States passport. Travelers that possess valid passports from the following countries are also welcome to apply: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The United Kingdom.

If you have criminal convictions, you may be disqualified from Clear+ membership. A few examples of disqualifying offenses include espionage, sedition, treason, fraud, bribery, distribution of controlled substances, money laundering, and terrorism. As long as you're a law-abiding person with the right identification, the sign-up process is quick and easy. You can register online or at the airport.