United is the latest airline to offer TSA PreCheck Touchless ID as a service for its customers who are traveling through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The opt-in service is designed to help travelers move more quickly through security checkpoints, without the need to present a boarding pass or physical identification.
United first rolled out Touchless ID at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport in December 2023, and Sea-Tac is the 10th airport at which the airline is utilizing the technology.
Alaska Airlines and Delta also offer the service to customers at Sea-Tac.
United said customers can use Touchless ID by opting-in when they check in for their flight in the United app. At the airport, customers have their photo taken at a TSA security checkpoint where facial recognition technology matches the real-time image against a customer’s license or passport image already provided to the government.
Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units were first introduced at Sea-Tac last October.
The use of facial recognition technology and more widespread adoption of biometrics for air travel is spreading to more U.S. airports.
The New York Times previously reported the changes, and cited experts who believe “the future of air travel is one where facial recognition will be used throughout the entire airport journey: bag drop, boarding, even entering lounges and purchasing items at retail stores within the airport.”
TSA PreCheck is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. The application fee is $78 and status is valid for five years.
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