United Airlines has rolled out Touchless ID at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), a fortress hub for Delta Air Lines, for travelers enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program.
United Airlines Expands Touchless ID To Salt Lake City
I’ve raved about TSA Touchless ID at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and argued that it may well put CLEAR out of business (and at the very least, render it unnecessary). It’s also free for PreCheck members! Walking through the security checkpoint without having to even do an iris scan or fingerprint makes the security screening process even easier. Already, TSA PreCheck makes it far more “humane” by not requiring that shoes be removed or electronic devices be taken out of bags.
United first rolled out TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) in December 2023. SLC becomes the sixth United airport to roll out the technology. Since launching the first five locations, 1.6M United customers have opted-in to use this technology, and more than 80% have used it at the security checkpoint. Those airports include:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- New York (LGA)
- Newark (EWR)
- Salt Lake City (SLC) – effective today
To use this feature, customers simply opt-in to this service in the United app when they check-in for their flight. Eligible travelers can zip through the line by heading to the dedicated Touchless ID line and taking a quick photo instead of showing their boarding pass and ID. That’s it…but yes, you consent to the government storing more of your personal information (I figure there are no secrets at this point, so why not…).
Delta also uses touchless ID in a program it calls Delta Digital ID. Four days ago, it also rolled out this feature in SLC, where Delta operates one of its fortress hubs. Delta controls nearly 70% of traffic at SLC.
I am very happy to see this technology expand: it truly is a game-changer in terms of making security screenings easy.
> Read More: TSA Touchless ID Will Put CLEAR Out Of Business
image: United Airlines
I’ve used it just about every time departing ORD. The only time consuming part is being behind people who don’t qualify for it and have to be told to get into another line.
I understand they’re competing with Delta but it’s interesting they skipped Denver. I’m sure DEN will get it eventually. Digressing a little here…wow is SLC a beautiful airport, my goodness.
UNITED rising
I fly with UA often out of DTW and it has been paradise as compared to dealing with the main (Delta) terminal. I have no idea what they are thinking with this strategy, but I hope they continue it and bring it to DTW.
This probably also has to do w/ the security and airport infrastructure for touchless ID right? Makes sense to roll it out at airports that already have support for it as well as customers that know about it.
Touchless ID requires not only the airline but also the airport/TSA.
Goodbye Clear
Never understood the Clear business model with multiple employees standing around for the 1 customer every 5 minutes at best. And then the customer moves in front of 1 or 2 people in line. Truly a waste of money but I assume some like the attention by using it. Then again some like the attention of walking around at a parade with their junk hanging out in front of kids.
Where does American stand on this?
I am a frequent EWR United passenger, but it appears that I am only offered this option when checking bags, as it bundles with the same process for bag drop off. Is that right?
Touch free TSA screening is what we need next so those sickos will stop groping our elderly and young ones