In the event you’re flying in 2026, you’ll want to test your airline profile earlier than you head to the airport.
Thousands and thousands of frequent flyers at the moment are eligible for among the finest time-savers round … however provided that they log off forward of time.
During the last couple of years, the Transportation Safety Administration started piloting its new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at a few of the nation’s largest airports.
And within the coming months, the high-tech, fast-tracked safety choice can be out there at dozens of additional hubs.
This system makes use of facial comparability know-how: Vacationers passing via these lanes get their image taken as they strategy the TSA officer, and the TSA’s computer systems evaluate that picture to a passport photograph on file.
Usually, vacationers utilizing these quick lanes are capable of then fly via with out pulling out their pockets or boarding cross, with the expertise usually quicker than utilizing another safety lane.
TPG’s Clint Henderson wrote about his experience utilizing the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes, that are usually marked by blue-and-green signage at checkpoints.
Learn extra: 8 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
Who can use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?
In the event you’re a TSA PreCheck member or get your TSA PreCheck entry via Global Entry, you are eligible to make use of the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes — that’s, in case you choose in.
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Learn how to choose in
To do this, you will need to go to your airline frequent flyer profile, add a picture of your passport and consent to the facial identification program.
I am flying United Airways out of Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) subsequent month, so I pulled up my United app. I clicked on “TSA PreCheck and journey paperwork.”
Then, I chosen “TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.”
The app prompted me so as to add a photograph of my passport, identical to you would possibly earlier than a global flight.
After which there have been a few pages the place I needed to choose in and consent. When you do that, you need to be clear to make use of the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes.
Which airports provide TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?
The brand new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program is increasing to a rising variety of airways and airports nationwide.
Every of the 5 largest U.S. carriers now companions with the company on the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes at a handful of the nation’s largest hubs.
Here is the complete rundown of airways and airports the place it is out there as of January 2026.
You may solely be capable of use the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes in case your airline companions with the service at that airport and provided that you choose in to the service with that service.
As TPG reported in January, anticipate to see these lanes at dozens of extra U.S. airports within the months to return because the TSA hopes to have its TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program up and operating at 65 main hubs by spring.
Backside line
You need to nonetheless carry your Real ID or an acceptable alternative like a passport to the airport, even in case you’ve opted in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.
As I’ve seen on quite a few events at airports, know-how can malfunction or another snafu can come up that might lead officers to ask you to current a sound ID.
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