If you’re flying this holiday season, be sure to check your airline profile before you head to the airport.
Millions of frequent flyers are now eligible for one of the best time-savers around … but only if they sign off ahead of time.
Last year, the Transportation Security Administration began piloting its new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at some of the nation’s largest airports.
The program uses facial comparison technology: Travelers passing through these lanes get their picture taken as they approach the TSA officer, and the TSA’s computers compare that image to a passport photo on file.
Typically, travelers using these fast lanes are able to then fly through without pulling out their wallet or boarding pass — with the experience often faster than using any other security lane.
TPG’s Clint Henderson wrote about his experience using the TSA Touchless ID lanes, which are typically marked by blue and green signage at checkpoints.
Read more: 8 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
TSA Touchless ID at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Who can use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?
If you’re a TSA PreCheck member or get your PreCheck access through a Global Entry program, you’re eligible to use the Touchless ID lanes — that is, if you opt in.
How to opt in
To do that, you’ll want to go to your airline frequent flyer profile, upload an image of your passport, and consent to the facial identification program.
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I’m flying United Airlines out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) next month, so I pulled up my United app. I clicked on “TSA PreCheck and travel documents.”
UNITED AIRLINES
Then, I selected “TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.”
UNITED AIRLINES
The app prompted me to add a photo of my passport, just like you might before an international flight.
And then there were a couple of pages where I had to opt in and consent. Once you do this, you should be clear to use the Touchless ID lanes.
UNITED AIRLINES
Which airports have TSA PreCheck Touchless ID available?
The TSA’s new Touchless ID program is expanding to a growing number of airlines and airports nationwide.
Each of the five largest U.S. carriers now partners with the agency on the Touchless ID lanes at a handful of the nation’s largest hubs.
Here’s the full rundown of airlines and airports where it’s available as of November 2025:
AirlineAirports where this airline partners with the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- ATL
- DCA
- DEN
- Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- EWR
- JFK
- LAS
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- LGA
- PDX
- SEA
- SLC
- ATL
- DCA
- DEN
- EWR
- LAS
- LAX
- LGA
- Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- PDX
- SEA
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- SLC
- ATL
- DCA
- DEN
- LAX
- PDX
- SEA
- SLC
You’ll only be able to use the TSA Touchless ID lanes if your airline partners with the service at that airport, and only if you opt in to the service with that carrier.
Expect to see the list of airports and airlines grow as the TSA’s fast new service expands its footprint.
Bottom line
You should still bring your Real ID or acceptable alternative like a passport to the airport — even if you’re opted in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.
As I’ve seen on numerous occasions at airports, technology can malfunction or some other snafu can come up that could lead officers to ask you to present a valid ID.
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