Airports With Tsa Facial Recognition: A Comprehensive List

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been using facial recognition technology at select airports to enhance security and improve traveler convenience. The technology is currently deployed at nearly 84 airports across the nation, including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). TSA PreCheck members from Delta and United Airlines can opt in to the facial recognition program at these airports, allowing them to use Touchless ID at bag drop and boarding areas. The technology compares live facial images captured at the checkpoint with pre-staged photos provided by the passenger, such as passport or visa photos. Participation in the facial recognition program is entirely voluntary, and passengers can choose to opt-out at any time.

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID

The TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is a voluntary process that allows passengers to opt into using facial recognition technology at select airports. The technology is designed to enhance security and improve traveller convenience by automating the manual ID credential-checking process. Passengers can opt into the service when they check in for their flights on the airline's mobile app, adding a consent indicator to their mobile boarding pass.

Passengers who choose not to opt in will not receive a consent indicator and are not eligible to participate in the pilot program. They will instead go through the standard manual identity verification process, which requires presenting their physical identification or passport. Passengers can also opt out of having their photo taken at any point, although their previously provided photo template may still be staged in the gallery.

The facial recognition technology compares biometric templates of passengers' live photos to a pre-staged gallery of existing passport or visa photo templates. This process verifies that the person standing at the checkpoint is the same person pictured on the identification document. TSA is committed to ensuring the accuracy of these systems across all demographic groups and uses facial recognition algorithms developed by top-performing vendors.

As of February 2024, TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is available at the following airports:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Biometric Facial Comparison Technology

The technology works by comparing a trusted source image, such as a passport photo, with a real-time image of the person taken at the airport. This process is known as facial comparison and is used to prove that the person is present and that the passport or ID belongs to them. The use of facial comparison technology in airports has been implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

TSA's facial recognition technology is currently being tested at select airports across the United States, including Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. The technology is only used to verify the identity of travellers and is not used for surveillance or any law enforcement purposes. Travellers can opt in or out of the program, and their photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match.

CBP, on the other hand, has implemented Biometric Facial Comparison Technology at 238 airports worldwide, including 14 CBP Preclearance locations and 49 locations for air exit (international departures). This technology has processed more than 540 million travellers and prevented more than 2,000 impostors from entering the United States. CBP's use of facial comparison technology is in line with the 9/11 Commission Report, which authorized the U.S. Government to use an automated system to record the arrivals and departures of visitors.

While Biometric Facial Comparison Technology offers enhanced security and convenience, there are also concerns around privacy, civil liberties, and human rights if the technology is abused. However, TSA and CBP have strict policies in place to protect the privacy and rights of travellers, and the technology is used solely for identity verification and access control.

Digital IDs

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced facial recognition technology at select airports to enhance security and improve traveller convenience. The technology is currently deployed at nearly 84 airports across the nation, including Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport. TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which uses facial recognition technology, is available to current TSA PreCheck travellers at select security checkpoints and airports.

The use of facial recognition technology by the TSA is voluntary, and travellers who do not wish to participate can opt for standard ID verification. This technology assists Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in verifying the authenticity of a traveller's ID credentials, flight status, and identity. It is designed to mitigate the impact of environmental and technical variability, such as lighting, background, and focal length. The TSA is committed to ensuring the accuracy of these systems across all demographic groups and protecting passenger privacy. Photos and data are deleted immediately after identity verification, except in limited testing environments for technology evaluation.

TSA facial recognition pilot

The TSA has introduced facial recognition technology into the screening process at select airports. Facial recognition technology is a significant security enhancement that improves traveller convenience. The technology is used to verify a passenger's identity at security checkpoints. Participation is entirely voluntary, and travellers can opt to go through the standard identity verification process by a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) if they prefer.

The facial recognition technology helps ensure that the person standing at the checkpoint is the same person pictured on the identification document (ID) credential. The photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made, except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the technology's effectiveness. The TSA is committed to protecting traveller privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, ensuring the public's trust as it seeks to improve the traveller experience through its exploration of identity verification technologies.

The TSA uses second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners as travellers enter the screening process. The CAT-2 units are currently deployed at nearly 84 airports nationwide, including Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and will expand to more than 400 federalized airports over the coming years.

United and Delta passengers with TSA PreCheck can now opt into the technology at seven major US airports, including Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles. United passengers enrolled in TSA PreCheck can opt into the service when they check in for their flights on the airline's mobile app, adding a consent indicator to their mobile boarding pass.

Privacy Impact Assessments

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced facial recognition technology into the screening process at select airports. This technology is used to verify a passenger's identity at security checkpoints. Participation in this program is voluntary, and passengers who do not wish to have their photo taken can opt for a standard ID verification process.

TSA has published Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) to inform the public about the use of facial recognition technology and additional privacy protections. These PIAs outline the data collected during the facial identification field demonstration and how it is used for identity verification, enhancing transportation security, and testing the effectiveness of facial identification. TSA is committed to protecting traveler privacy and civil liberties and ensuring public trust.

TSA's PIAs highlight the voluntary nature of the facial recognition program and the right of passengers to decline a photo. The PIAs also emphasize that facial recognition technology is not used for surveillance or any law enforcement purposes. Instead, it is used solely to automate the current manual ID credential-checking process. TSA also ensures that photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match, except in limited testing environments for technology evaluation.

TSA converts the information collected into an anonymized format, encrypts it, and transfers it to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for temporary analysis. DHS deletes the data within 180 days. TSA also requires that Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) show each traveler respect and ensure their privacy is protected. Passengers who opt out of facial recognition will not experience any negative consequences or delays and will receive an alternative ID credential check.

Frequently asked questions