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If you’re flying in 2026, be sure to check your airline profile before you head to the airport.
Millions of frequent flyers are now eligible for one of the best time-savers around … but only if they sign off ahead of time.
Over the last couple of years, the Transportation Security Administration began piloting its new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at some of the nation’s largest airports.
And in the coming months, the high-tech, fast-tracked security option will be available at dozens of additional hubs.
The program uses facial comparison technology: Travelers passing through these lanes get their picture taken as they approach the TSA officer, and the TSA’s computers compare that image to a passport photo on file.
Typically, travelers using these fast lanes are able to then speed through without pulling out their wallet or boarding pass. The experience is often faster than using any other security lane.
TPG’s Clint Henderson wrote about his experience using the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes, which are typically marked by blue-and-green signage at checkpoints.
Read more: 8 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
Who can use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?
If you’re a TSA PreCheck member or get your TSA PreCheck access through Global Entry, you’re eligible to use the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes — as long as you opt in.
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How to opt in
To do that, you’ll want to go to your airline frequent flyer profile, upload an image of your passport and consent to the facial identification program.
For instance, I’m taking a United Airlines flight out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) next month, so I pulled up my United app. I clicked on “TSA PreCheck and travel documents.”
Then, I selected “TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.”
The app prompted me to add a photo of my passport, just like you might before an international flight.
And then there were a couple of pages where I had to opt in and consent. Once you do this, you should be clear to use the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes.
Which airports offer TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?
The new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program is expanding to a growing number of airlines and airports nationwide.
Each of the five largest U.S. carriers now partners with the administration to offer the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes at a handful of the nation’s largest hubs.
Here’s the full rundown of airlines and airports where it’s available as of March 2026.
You’ll only be able to use the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes if your airline partners with the service at that specific airport and only if you opt into the service with that specific carrier.
As TPG reported in January, expect to see these lanes at dozens of additional U.S. airports in the coming months as the TSA hopes to have its TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program up and running at 65 major hubs by spring.
Bottom line
You should still bring your Real ID or an acceptable alternative like a passport to the airport, even if you’ve opted into TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.
As I’ve seen on numerous occasions at airports, technology can malfunction or some other snafu can come up that could lead officers to ask you to present a valid ID.
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