Tsa's Faster Precheck Lane Is Now Available At These 15 Airports

TSA airport security tips for smooth trip

Skip the hassle at airport security with these simple, time-saving TSA tips.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) launched a quicker version of PreCheck, although the service is currently available at only 15 airports in the United States.

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID utilizes an enhanced facial recognition technology, Traveler Verification Service, which creates a secure biometric template of a passenger’s live facial image and compares it to images the passenger previously provided to the federal government.

The live image is taken at an airport checkpoint. The technology is currently being used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to TSA's website.

It's supposed to be faster because passengers do not need to present an ID card or boarding pass. Passengers who have consented to use the technology can opt out at any time.

Here are the airports where the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is in use:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
• Denver International Airport
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
• Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• John F. Kennedy International Airport
• LaGuardia Airport
• Los Angeles International Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport
• Portland International Airport in Oregon
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
• Salt Lake City International Airport
• San Francisco International Airport
• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

To use the feature, passengers must opt in through a participating airline’s profile. TSA and CBP are allowing airports and airline partners to request the use of Traveler Verification Services for identity verification under an established TSA process.

Upon approval, partners purchase camera equipment to take photos of voluntary passengers at airport baggage drop and boarding locations. The pictures are used to create biometric templates, which are compared against existing government images, according to the TSA's website.

During an airline partner’s mobile app check-in process, the airline alerts passengers if they can opt in to the service.

Passengers who choose to participate will be given a consent indicator on their mobile boarding pass. Those who decide against participating will not receive a consent indicator, TSA states.

Even though passengers can opt out at any point, a previously taken photo may still be stored.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the first carriers to implement the technology, which will be available at the following airports:

American Airlines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Portland International Airport, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport.

Delta Air Lines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport.

United Airlines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Portland International Airport, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport.

Alaska Airlines: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Denver International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.

PreCheck Touchless ID is free for individuals who already have TSA PreCheck. The initial cost of TSA PreCheck ranges from $77 to $85.

While the TSA has not announced any plans to bring the technology to additional airports, the agency’s website notes: “As part of its on-going efforts to enhance the identity verification of passengers by using facial identification technology at airports, TSA looks to continue to expand this technology to additional airports with new airline partners at checkpoints, bag drop and boarding areas for testing and evaluation purposes.”

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com