TSA PreCheck Touchless ID Is Live at 60+ Airports — Here's How to Opt In

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is a separate, faster lane inside the standard TSA PreCheck checkpoint. Instead of handing over your boarding pass and ID at the front of the line, you look briefly into a camera, and the system matches your live photo against your passport photo on file. If it confirms your identity, you move forward without touching a document.

It's available at no extra cost to all TSA PreCheck members, as well as travelers who access PreCheck lanes through a Global Entry membership. The opt-in setup takes a few minutes in your airline profile, and once it's done, the benefit is there every time you fly that carrier through a participating airport.

Where Is It Available Now?

The rollout that TSA announced for spring 2026 is complete. The program is now live at more than 60 airports, covering nearly every major hub in the country, including LaGuardia, JFK, Newark, and Boston Logan for East Coast travelers.

That said, availability isn't guaranteed at every terminal inside every participating airport. The TSA notes that the lanes aren't present in all terminals, and the technology can occasionally be out of service. Carry your physical ID regardless.

Which Airlines Are Participating?

Six major carriers are currently in the program:

• Alaska Airlines

• American Airlines

• Delta Air Lines

• Hawaiian Airlines

• Southwest Airlines

• United Airlines

Each airline maintains its own list of participating airport locations for their passengers, so it's worth checking directly with your carrier if you want to confirm availability on your specific route.

Screenshot courtesy of the TSA (tsa.gov/touchless-id)

How to Opt In Before Your Next Flight

You need to do a small amount of setup in advance. It doesn’t activate automatically just because you have PreCheck. Here’s what to do:

• Log into your profile with a participating airline

• Add your Known Traveler Number (KTN)

• Add your valid passport number and country

• Select "Opt In" on your profile, or do it at check-in

Once you're enrolled, look for the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID indicator on your mobile boarding pass. That indicator is what gets you into the dedicated lane. No indicator, no Touchless ID access for that trip.

The Privacy Side of It

TSA states that your photo and personal data are deleted within 24 hours of your scheduled flight departure. The images aren't used for law enforcement, surveillance, or shared with other entities. It's opt-in, it's temporary, and you can always skip it and use the standard PreCheck lane if you'd prefer.

Still, the standard advice applies: bring a REAL ID-compliant physical ID to every flight. If the system can't verify your identity or an officer asks for it, you'll need it.

The expansion held up even through a rough few months for airport security in the US. If you're a PreCheck member who hasn't touched this yet, the setup takes less time than your average security line.

Frequently Answered Questions: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID

Is TSA PreCheck Touchless ID the same as TSA PreCheck?

No. TSA PreCheck is your trusted traveler membership. Touchless ID is an optional, faster identity verification method used within PreCheck lanes.

How many airports have TSA PreCheck Touchless ID now?

More than 60 airports as of late April 2026, including major hubs and a growing number of mid-sized airports.

Is it available at all terminals within participating airports?

Not always. TSA notes that Touchless ID is not available in every terminal at every participating airport, so it’s worth checking ahead with your airline.

Do I still need to bring my physical ID?

Yes. TSA recommends carrying a REAL ID-compliant physical ID as a backup in case the system can’t verify your identity or an officer asks for it.

Which airlines participate in TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

Is there an extra fee for TSA PreCheck Touchless ID?

No. It’s included at no additional cost for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry members.

What happens if there’s no Touchless ID indicator on my boarding pass?

You won’t be able to use the Touchless ID lane for that trip. You can still go through the standard PreCheck lane.

What does TSA do with my photo?

TSA says your photo and personal data are deleted within 24 hours of your scheduled flight departure. Images are not used for law enforcement or surveillance.