Seattle, July 2, 2025 – United Airlines is now offering TSA PreCheck’s Touchless ID as an option for travelers passing through Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.
The feature designed to dramatically accelerate security screening by eliminating the traditional need to present ID or boarding pass has already been piloted at nine other U.S. airports and is now live at SEA, joining the ranks of other major carriers such as Alaska and Delta.
How Touchless ID Works
Touchless ID allows eligible TSA PreCheck members to verify their identity using facial recognition. Once travellers opt in through the United Airlines app or website, their passport or driver’s license photos are securely matched to a live image captured at the TSA checkpoint via Credential Authentication Technology units. If the tech verifies the match, travellers proceed through security without needing to present physical documents.
United introduced Touchless ID at O’Hare in December 2023, and by this year, it had expanded to a total of ten airports, including SEA, O’Hare, Newark, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, LaGuardia, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Washington Reagan National.
Why SEA Adoption Matters
SEA is a crucial hub for Alaska and Delta, both of which already offer Touchless ID there, making this launch a significant competitive step for United. The expansion reflects a broader shift in air‑travel security: facial recognition is increasingly being adopted at baggage drop, boarding gates, lounges, and even airport shops, as experts suggest it’s the future of passenger processing.
Participating Airlines & Airports
As of mid‑2025, Touchless ID is live at these airports and airlines:
AirlineAirports Offering Touchless ID
United – ATL, DCA, EWR, LAS, LAX, LGA, ORD, SEA, SFO, SLC
Delta – ATL, DCA, DTW, JFK, LAX, LGA, SEA, SLC
Alaska – ATL, DCA, SEA
American – ATL, DCA, LGA, SEA, SLC
The system is available only at select kiosks and TSA lanes, and users must travel on participating airlines at those specific airports.
How to Opt-In
Travelers wishing to use Touchless ID must:
- Be a TSA PreCheck member (cost: $78 for five years).
- Opt-in via the airline’s app or check‑in interface.
- Link passport details and Known Traveler Number to their profile.
- Use a mobile boarding pass displaying the Touchless ID symbol (a green human icon next to the TSA PreCheck logo).
A mobile boarding pass is essential; printed kiosks won’t indicate eligibility for Touchless lanes.
Speed, Convenience & Security
The biggest advantage? Speed. The Wall Street Journal reports Touchless ID can clear identity verification in as little as 6–8 seconds, far quicker than traditional TSA PreCheck (18–20 seconds). The TSA states that the photo is deleted within 24 hours (except during limited test events), ensuring data privacy.
Addressing Privacy & Accuracy
Some travelers voice concerns over facial recognition, but TSA emphasizes its purpose is identity verification only, not surveillance or immigration enforcement. The Port of Seattle’s policies for CBP facial recognition on international flights already advocate transparency, data security, and opt‑out options.
Accuracy issues are likely minimal: Touchless ID checks travelers against images provided by TSA, U.S. passports, or driver’s licenses and reportedly achieves over 90% accuracy. In case of failed matches, travelers are quickly redirected to standard ID lanes without penalty.
Industry Momentum & Alternatives
United joins a growing wave. Delta first introduced Touchless ID in Detroit in 2021, and more airlines, including American, are rolling it out. Other travel tech alternatives include CLEAR+, a private lane service based on biometrics often used in tandem with PreCheck. For many users, Touchless ID may prove even faster and comes at no extra cost.
What Travelers Should Know
- Still, carry a physical ID and boarding pass. They’re mandatory as a backup.
- Limited availability. Only specific lanes and airports support Touchless ID.
- Voluntary participation. Travelers must actively opt-in to participate.
United’s addition of facial recognition at SEA marks another milestone in airport modernization. For frequent flyer members with TSA PreCheck, opting into Touchless ID could significantly reduce wait times and simplify the security screening process. But tech limitations, privacy considerations, and infrastructure constraints mean it’s not yet a universal solution.
As more airlines and airports adopt biometric IDs and improve system accuracy and data governance, flying may one day be as easy as “just your face, please.”
For Travelers:
- Confirm your TSA PreCheck membership is active.
- Opt-in via your United app before your next flight from SEA.
- Watch for the Touchless ID icon on your mobile boarding pass.
