US carrier Delta Air Lines has expanded its contactless airport technology, Delta Digital ID, to Salt Lake City and eligible Delta customers.
The technology, developed in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), utilises biometric facial matching to streamline the document check process.
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Customers can now access a dedicated TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lane at security checkpoints by simply looking into a camera, without presenting a government-issued ID.
In the lobby, those eligible for Digital ID will no longer need to present their driving licences or passports when checking bags at designated airports.
Delta airport experience managing director Greg Forbes said: “Over the past year, as Digital ID has been in operation at some of our busiest hubs, customers have come to rely on the time-savings and convenience it provides.
“We’re thrilled for this technology to expand to a sixth hub, introducing a more streamlined, hands-free airport experience to a new group of customers.”
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By GlobalDataTo use Delta Digital ID, customers must opt in through the Fly Delta app or their SkyMiles profile and meet certain criteria including TSA PreCheck membership and having passport information and a Known Traveler Number stored in their Delta profile.
The service is part of the customer’s SkyMiles profile and can be opted out of at any time.
The carrier ensures that biometric data of customers are not saved or stored.
According to Delta, the technology quickens transactions at bag drop by nearly 75% compared to standard ones, averaging 30 seconds compared to two minutes.
Similarly, at security checkpoints, Digital ID customers move through around 60% faster than standard TSA PreCheck customers.
Automated ID verification has reduced transaction times from 20-25 seconds to just 7-10 seconds, according to its developers.
Following the launch at Salt Lake City, Delta plans to introduce Digital ID and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington DC, ahead of the holiday travel season.
Delta and TSA are set to continue their partnership with plans to monitor additional expansion opportunities in 2025.
