The rollout of biometric technologies is accelerating at U.S. airports, with touchless and digital identification systems poised to redefine passenger experiences.
Experts predict the emergence of fully digital, end-to-end airport journeys within the next decade.
“It’s inevitable,” said Donnie Scott, CEO of Idemia North America, a leader in biometric identity solutions and TSA PreCheck enrollment.
Scott anticipates that select airports will offer hands-free travel for PreCheck passengers on certain airlines within two to five years, with broader adoption expected in the years following.
The Vision of a Fully Digital Journey
A seamless digital airport journey would involve facial identity verification or mobile ID checks at key touchpoints, including bag drop, security, and boarding. For international travelers, digital passport verification would be integrated for both check-in and border control.
Currently, Global Entry members already benefit from touchless re-entry into the U.S., using photo kiosks that match travelers’ images with passport database records.
The next significant milestone could be touchless TSA security checkpoints. These lanes, already operational at nine airports in partnership with airlines such as Delta and United, allow enrolled PreCheck flyers to pass through in seconds without presenting physical IDs.
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are also set to join the Touchless Identity Solution program, offering similar conveniences to passengers who opt in.
Efficiency and Challenges
Jason Lim, TSA’s identity management capability manager, highlighted the efficiency of touchless ID screening, which averages eight seconds per person compared to 18-20 seconds with manual checks.
Since its 2021 debut in Detroit, approximately six million travelers have experienced touchless TSA lanes.
However, scaling the technology nationwide faces hurdles beyond the technical aspects. “It’s all the things around the technology—processes and people,” Lim explained, emphasizing the need for extensive coordination, checkpoint reconfigurations, and training for TSA officers and travelers alike.
Funding remains a significant obstacle. TSA Administrator David Pekoske revealed during a congressional hearing that, at current funding levels, biometric screening might not be fully implemented until the 2040s.
Complicating matters, a third of the Passenger Security Fee, which funds such initiatives, has been redirected to the general treasury since 2013.
Public and Industry Support
Despite political resistance from privacy advocates, public sentiment largely favors biometric technology. A U.S. Travel Association survey found 79% of air travelers support its use at TSA checkpoints.
Driven by consumer demand and operational efficiencies, airlines like Alaska Airlines are expanding their biometric capabilities.
Alaska plans to launch touchless international check-in and exit services in cities such as Portland and Seattle, aiming to provide a fully hands-free international journey by late 2025, with domestic options following in 2026.
Kristin Olsen, Alaska Airlines’ director of product management for digital technology, underscored the importance of mobile ID verification alongside biometrics.
“Face or phone at every touchpoint by the end of ’26 or ’27,” Olsen said, envisioning a flexible approach that prioritizes traveler convenience and privacy.
Airports Leading the Charge
Scott pointed to airports like Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, and New York-area hubs (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) as pioneers in biometric investment.
With advancements on the horizon, the U.S. airport experience is on the cusp of a significant transformation, promising faster, safer, and more streamlined journeys for travelers nationwide.
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