- American Airlines introduced the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program for eligible AAdvantage members at four major U.S. airports (DCA, LGA, ATL, SLC), aiming to streamline security screening using facial recognition.
- Travelers opt in by linking their AAdvantage, PreCheck and passport/visa details. Facial recognition matches live images to government records, allowing touchless ID verification in seconds.
- It requires enrollment in both TSA PreCheck and AAdvantage (ages 18+). Participation is optional, with no penalties for opting out and members can switch back anytime.
- Critics question data retention, third-party sharing and law enforcement access, citing risks like the 2019 CBP breach. Some warn it could normalize broader surveillance in travel.
- American Airlines plans to expand the program to more airports, emphasizing convenience while facing scrutiny over transparency and privacy safeguards.
American Airlines has rolled out its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck Touchless ID program to eligible AAdvantage members at four major U.S. airports to "streamline the security screening process for frequent travelers."
On May 29, the airline announced that members traveling through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) can opt into the program for a "faster," "more seamless" checkpoint experience.
The TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program allows eligible travelers to bypass traditional ID checks by using facial recognition technology. After opting in, members' identities are verified by matching their live image at security with photos previously provided to the government, such as passport, Global Entry or visa records. The process typically takes just seconds, offering a quicker alternative to traditional document checks. (Related: Irish government to legalize retrospective facial recognition technology.)
To participate, travelers must be enrolled in both TSA PreCheck and American's AAdvantage program. Eligible passengers (18+) will be prompted to opt in by providing their AAdvantage number, passport details and Known Traveler Number (KTN) linked to their PreCheck account.
Participation is entirely optional and passengers who prefer not to use facial recognition can still proceed through standard PreCheck or regular TSA lines without penalty. Members can opt in anytime via their AAdvantage profile on aa.com and will only need to renew enrollment once per year. Those who opt in can also switch back to traditional ID checks at any time.
"We're examining every aspect of the customer experience," said Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. "TSA Precheck Touchless ID helps streamline our customers' travel experience and makes travel with us even more enjoyable. We look forward to it becoming available to even more customers in the coming months."
American Airlines plans to expand the program to additional airports, particularly its hubs, in collaboration with the TSA.
Touchless ID program raises privacy concerns
The Touchless ID program has been praised for its convenience but scrutinized for privacy risks.
An article written by Ken Macon for Reclaim the Net noted that the lack of independent oversight raises concerns, particularly after past breaches like the 2019 Customs and Border Protection incident, where traveler photos were exposed in a cyberattack.
"This program sets a precedent that could quietly shift the baseline of what is considered acceptable surveillance. Once travelers get used to walking through security without ever pulling out a wallet, it becomes easier for facial recognition to expand into other parts of the travel experience: boarding gates, airport lounges and even retail kiosks," Macon wrote.
"And while American says participation is voluntary, the pressure to opt in grows as more airports adopt these systems and manual ID checks become the slower and less desirable option. The path from optional convenience to expected default is short and often comes without meaningful public debate."
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Watch the video below that talks about government agencies that were caught lying about the facial recognition program.
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