Airport security checks at dozens of major U.S. hubs will be significantly faster.
This month, the Transportation Security Administration revealed plans to significantly expand its TSA PreCheck contactless ID program, which allows passengers to pass through checkpoints without showing an ID or boarding pass.
Today, 15 U.S. airports offer contactless ID lanes. By spring, TSA expects to have the service in 50 additional airports.
This will save travelers a lot of time. Not to mention, it’s free for anyone with TSA PreCheck access, including passengers who get TSA PreCheck access through Global Entry.
What is TSA PreCheck Contactless ID?
TSA PreCheck contactless ID launches in 2024. It’s essentially a faster version of TSA’s PreCheck program, which is used by tens of millions of travelers.
Similar to the paid Clear service it has offered at dozens of hubs for years, the TSA’s new setup relies on quick facial scans to verify a traveler’s identity; typically, you only need to pause for a minute or two to get to the carry-on bag scanner.
On a recent flight, TSA PreCheck contactless ID saved me 10 minutes compared to my travel companion Ben Mutzabaugh (TPG managing editor of aviation content), who went through the traditional TSA PreCheck lane.
Learn more: 8 Ways to Get Free or Discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or Clear
How to Register for TSA PreCheck Contactless ID
If you are a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck member, there is no additional cost to sign up for the Contactless ID program, but you do need to sign up in advance.
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To opt in, you must go to your airline profile and follow the prompts, which includes uploading a passport image.
You’ll need to do this for every airline participating in the Contactless ID program, including the five largest U.S. airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
Which airports have TSA PreCheck contactless ID?
TPG is conducting an ongoing count of airports that already offer expedited TSA PreCheck contactless ID service.
But, as noted, there are many more to come.
Planned to launch this month
By the end of January, TSA expects contactless ID lanes to be operational at 16 additional hubs, including:
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, DC
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Florida
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) is located in Orange County, California
- Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI), Missouri
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
- Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), California
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Alaska
- Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI)
- Long Beach Airport, California (LGB)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
just on the horizon
Airports expected to roll out contactless ID lanes later this spring include:
- Honolulu Daniel Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL), Oklahoma
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), California
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ), New Mexico
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Florida
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Boise Airport (BOI)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), North Carolina
- Charleston International Airport (CHS), South Carolina
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU), Puerto Rico
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), Alabama
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Ohio
- Hartford Bradley International Airport (BDL)
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- TF Greene International Airport (PVD) Providence, Rhode Island
- Westchester County Airport, New York (HPN)
bottom line
By the end of spring, TSA expects its contactless ID program to be operational at a total of 65 airports nationwide.
Considering these contactless ID lanes have quickly become one of the fastest ways to get through airport security, this is a huge win for travelers. But so far, they are only available in a few hubs.
Travelers who are uncomfortable with facial biometric scans can continue to use the standard TSA Pre-Check lane.
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