How TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID Enhances Your Alaska Airlines Experience

I. Introduction: The Future of Airport Security

The landscape of airport security is continually evolving, with new technologies emerging to enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall passenger experience. Biometrics and digital identification are at the forefront of this transformation, promising a future where the journey through the airport is smoother and more secure. Alaska Airlines is an active participant in these advancements, integrating touchless ID initiatives into its operations to benefit its customers.

This guide will explain the “touchless ID” options available to Alaska Airlines passengers, focusing primarily on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck® Touchless ID program, in which Alaska participates, and also clarifying Alaska’s own Mobile Verify system for international travel. Understanding how to use these technologies and the advantages they offer is key for travelers seeking a more streamlined airport experience. These initiatives represent a significant shift towards leveraging biometric data, but their success hinges on passenger adoption, clear understanding of the processes, and robust privacy safeguards.

II. What is “Alaska Airlines Touchless ID”? Clarifying the Programs

The term “Touchless ID” can encompass different programs serving distinct purposes in the air travel process. For Alaska Airlines passengers, two main initiatives are relevant:

A. TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID

This program is operated by the TSA, with Alaska Airlines being one of the participating carriers.⁵⁹

• Function: It utilizes facial recognition technology to verify the identity of enrolled TSA PreCheck® members at dedicated security lanes.
• Objective: The goal is to provide a faster, more efficient, and more secure screening experience for PreCheck-eligible travelers, reducing the need to present physical identification and boarding passes at the initial checkpoint.⁵⁹

B. Alaska Airlines Mobile Verify (for International Travel)

This is an airline-specific program designed to streamline the pre-flight document check process for international journeys.⁶¹

• Function: It allows eligible passengers (typically those with U.S. or Canadian passports) to digitally verify their passport information from home using the Alaska Airlines app (which has integrated technology previously associated with the Airside app).
• Objective: The primary aim is to save passengers time at the airport by allowing them to bypass manual document verification lines at check-in counters or the gate for international flights.⁶¹

It is important to distinguish between these two: TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID is for identity verification at the TSA security checkpoint itself. Alaska Airlines Mobile Verify is for the airline’s mandatory passport and international travel document validation before an international flight. This guide will primarily detail the TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID program as it relates to Alaska Airlines passengers for airport security screening, while also providing context on the Mobile Verify system. Passengers might encounter the term “Touchless ID” in various contexts, so understanding these distinctions is crucial.

III. How to Use TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID with Alaska Airlines

Participating in the TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID program when flying with Alaska Airlines involves a few key steps and eligibility requirements.

A. Eligibility Requirements

To use TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID with Alaska Airlines, passengers must meet the following criteria ⁵⁹:

1. Be an active and enrolled member of the TSA PreCheck® program.
2. Have an active Mileage Plan™ profile with Alaska Airlines.
3. Have valid passport information (passport number and country of issuance) uploaded to their Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ profile.
4. Ensure their Known Traveler Number (KTN), obtained through TSA PreCheck® enrollment, is accurately entered in their Alaska Airlines profile.

B. Opt-In Process

Participation is voluntary and requires passengers to opt-in ⁵⁹:

• This opt-in can typically be done through the passenger’s Alaska Airlines profile on the airline’s website or mobile app, or during the online check-in process for an eligible flight.

C. At the Airport

Once eligibility is confirmed and opt-in is complete:

1. Boarding Pass Indicator: Passengers should verify that the TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID indicator is present on their mobile boarding pass. This confirms their eligibility to use the dedicated lane for that specific flight.⁵⁹
2. Dedicated Lane: At participating airports, follow signage to the designated TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID queue or lane.⁵⁹
3. Facial Scan: At the checkpoint, a biometric camera will capture a facial image for identity verification against the information linked to the passenger’s travel documents.
4. Physical ID Backup: Crucially, all passengers, even those using Touchless ID, must still carry an acceptable physical form of identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) and be prepared to present it if requested by a TSA officer or if the biometric system cannot verify their identity.⁵⁹

D. Participating Locations

The TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID program is not yet available at all airports or all PreCheck lanes. It is being rolled out progressively. Alaska Airlines participates in this program at select airports. As of early 2025, TSA documentation indicated Alaska’s participation at airports such as Atlanta (ATL) and Washington Reagan (DCA).⁵⁹ Passengers should always check the latest information from the TSA or Alaska Airlines for current participating locations, as this list is subject to change and expansion.⁶³

The opt-in nature of the program and the necessity for passengers to have their passport details on file with the airline are key prerequisites. The airline essentially acts as a conduit for the passenger’s consent and data (like the KTN and passport info) to interface with the TSA’s biometric system. The limited, albeit growing, availability of these specialized lanes means it is not yet a universal component of the TSA PreCheck® experience.

IV. Benefits of TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID

The TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID program aims to offer several advantages to eligible and opted-in travelers ⁵⁹:

• Enhanced Convenience: By using facial recognition, the system reduces the need for passengers to present physical ID and boarding passes at the initial checkpoint, streamlining the process.
• Increased Efficiency: The program is designed to further expedite the already faster TSA PreCheck® screening, saving passengers valuable time at the airport.
• Improved Security: Advanced facial recognition technology is employed to enhance the accuracy and reliability of identity verification.
• Privacy Considerations (as stated by TSA): The TSA asserts a commitment to passenger privacy. Under normal operating conditions, photos and personal data captured for verification are typically deleted shortly after verification (or within 24 hours of scheduled departure for the Touchless Identity Solution). The TSA also states that these images are not used for law enforcement or surveillance purposes and are not shared with other entities, except in limited, notified instances for technology testing.⁵⁹

The primary appeal for passengers is the added speed and convenience for those already part of the trusted traveler TSA PreCheck® program. While security enhancement is a core objective for the TSA, transparent communication and robust privacy protections are critical for maintaining passenger trust and encouraging adoption of biometric technologies.

V. Alaska Airlines Mobile Verify for International Travel (Brief Overview)

Distinct from the TSA’s security screening program, Alaska Airlines offers its Mobile Verify system to simplify pre-flight procedures for international travelers.⁶¹

• How it Works: Eligible passengers (typically with U.S. or Canadian passports) can use the Alaska Airlines mobile app to scan their passport’s photo page and its embedded NFC chip, and take a selfie for verification.
• Benefits: This allows passengers to verify their international travel documents from the comfort of their home, potentially saving significant time by skipping manual document check lines at the airport check-in counter or gate.
• Process: The system involves a one-time setup of the digital identity. Before each international trip, the passenger provides one-time consent via the app, linking their verified identity to their specific flight confirmation code.
• Security and Control: Alaska Airlines emphasizes that the guest maintains control over their information, which is securely stored on their smartphone, and they decide when and where it is shared.

This airline-specific initiative focuses on the airline’s responsibility to validate international travel documents, a separate requirement from TSA security screening.

VI. Important Considerations and The Future

Several related factors and future trends are shaping the landscape of airport identity verification:

• REAL ID Enforcement: Effective May 7, 2025, all domestic U.S. air travelers aged 18 and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another acceptable form of ID (like a passport), to pass through airport security.¹⁴ While Touchless ID utilizes biometrics, the REAL ID Act pertains to the security standards of the physical identification documents themselves.
• CLEAR Plus: This is another biometric identity verification program available at many U.S. airports, often used in conjunction with TSA PreCheck® to expedite both identity verification and physical screening. Alaska Airlines has a partnership with CLEAR, offering members discounts or bonus miles for enrollment.⁶⁵
• Data Privacy and Security: As biometric technologies become more prevalent, ongoing public and regulatory scrutiny regarding data privacy, security, and potential biases in facial recognition algorithms remains. The TSA and participating airlines must continue to address these concerns transparently and implement robust safeguards.⁵⁹
• The Vision of Seamless Travel: The overarching industry goal, shared by airlines like Alaska, is to move towards a more seamless airport experience where passengers can navigate various touchpoints—from check-in and bag drop to security and boarding—using their secure digital identity, often managed via their smartphones.⁶¹

The transition to digital and biometric identity verification is a significant trend. While offering undeniable convenience and potential efficiency gains, it necessitates a continuous focus on security, accuracy, and the protection of passenger privacy to ensure widespread trust and adoption.

VII. Conclusion

Alaska Airlines’ participation in the TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID program, alongside its own Mobile Verify system for international travel, reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for a more streamlined passenger journey. For eligible TSA PreCheck® members flying Alaska, opting into Touchless ID can offer a faster and more convenient security screening process at participating airports by using facial recognition. Similarly, Mobile Verify aims to reduce wait times for international document checks.

As these technologies continue to be rolled out and refined, travelers can anticipate further integration of digital identity solutions across the airport experience. For those who meet the eligibility criteria and are comfortable with biometric verification, these programs represent a step towards a more effortless and efficient way to travel. However, it remains essential for passengers to stay informed about specific program requirements, participating locations, and to always carry physical identification as a reliable backup.

Alaska Airlines & Touchless ID: Program Comparison

Feature	TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID	Alaska Airlines Mobile Verify
Purpose	Expedited identity verification at TSA security checkpoint	Pre-flight digital verification of international travel documents (passport) by the airline
Operated By	Transportation Security Administration (TSA)	Alaska Airlines
Eligibility	Active TSA PreCheck® members, Alaska profile with KTN & passport data	Alaska passengers with U.S./Canadian passports on international flights
How to Opt-In/Use	Opt-in via Alaska profile/check-in; facial scan at dedicated TSA lane	One-time setup via Alaska app (passport scan/selfie); consent per trip via app
Key Benefit	Faster, more convenient security screening; less document handling	Skip airport document check lines; save time pre-flight
Primary Technology	Facial Recognition (biometrics)	Passport NFC chip reading, facial verification (biometrics)
Physical ID Still Needed?	Yes, as backup 59	Not for airline document check if verified, but needed for TSA/boarding

Source: TSA.gov ⁵⁹, AlaskaAir.com ⁵⁹