TSA PreCheck Touchless ID Now Available at 65 Airports Across the US

TSA PreCheck's Touchless ID system has expanded to 65 airports nationwide, allowing enrolled travelers to pass through security checkpoints using facial recognition technology without presenting physical documents.

The system captures a live photo at the checkpoint and compares it against the traveler's passport or government ID photo on file. If the match confirms, the traveler proceeds without removing their ID from their wallet. The entire verification takes under five seconds.

The expansion comes at a welcome time. Standard security lines at major hubs have stretched past two hours during the DHS staffing shortage, making PreCheck's faster lanes more valuable than usual.

TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 for five years and includes benefits beyond Touchless ID: shoes stay on, laptops stay in bags, and liquids do not need to be removed. Global Entry, which includes PreCheck, costs $100 and adds expedited customs processing for international arrivals.

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about biometric data collection at airports. TSA says facial images captured during Touchless ID screening are deleted within 24 hours and are not shared with other agencies or stored in permanent databases.