Delta Air Lines is partnering with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport to launch a ‘biometric’ terminal at the Georgia hub’s Terminal F.
The carrier says later this year customers flying direct to an international destination will be able to choose to use facial recognition technology “from curb to gate”.
The optional Delta Biometrics experience uses facial recognition for check-in at self-service kiosks, bag drop, identification at the TSA checkpoint, boarding at any gate in Terminal F and going through CBP processing for international travellers arriving into the US.
Additionally, customers travelling on Delta’s partner airlines Aeromexico, Air France KLM and Virgin Atlantic can also take part in the programme.
To use the technology, passengers need to enter their passport information during online check-in, although they can also do this when checking in at the airport. They will then need to have a look into cameras when using the self check-in kiosks, going through the TSA checkpoint and when boarding.
If a passenger chooses not to participate, they can still check in as normal at the airport.
Gil West, COO at Delta, said: “Launching the first biometric terminal in the US at the world’s busiest airport means we’re bringing the future of flying to customers travelling around the globe. Customers have an expectation that experiences along their journeys are easy and happen seamlessly – that’s what we’re aiming for by launching this technology across airport touch points.”
delta.com