Delta Air Lines Expands Digital Identification Program

Delta Air Lines check-in counter at JFK Airport

Delta Air Lines is trying to make air travel more of a seamless experience.

The airline is expanding its digital identification program to three more airports — Los Angeles International, John F. Kennedy and La Guardia airports. The program promises to be touch-free and to get you through the airport quicker.

The program made its debut in 2021 in Atlanta and Detroit.

Atlanta, of course, is the headquarters for Delta and Detroit is a key Midwestern hub.

It works through biometrics and facial identification. Ostensibly, the program works to eliminate the need to show your passport or physical identification to Transportation Security Administration workers.

“We know a frictionless airport experience is integral to your satisfaction with your overall journey,” said Allison Ausband, Chief Customer Experience Officer. “With Digital ID, our customers spend less time hassling with their wallets, and our agents spend less time checking documents. It opens an opportunity for our people and our customers to genuinely connect.” 

You must have a TSA PreCheck membership, or passport information and a Known Traveler Number stored in their Delta profile .

Eligible customers will receive a notification in their Fly Delta app when traveling from a Digital ID-enabled airport. Once opted in, Delta Digital ID becomes part of a customer’s SkyMiles profile, though they may choose to opt out at any time.

Delta says it does not save or store any biometric data.

Customers can use Delta Digital ID to check bags and move through security without having to show a physical ID (following the post-launch verification period). They will simply navigate to the appropriate line.

“Delta Digital ID helps passengers save time and improves security effectiveness,” said Austin Gould, Assistant Administrator, Requirements, Capabilities and Analysis – TSA. “It’s a simpler, more convenient experience – one that strictly adheres to passenger privacy and our security protocols, as well as our mission of protecting our nation’s transportation systems.”  

A trained agent will inspect the customer’s government-issued ID if the technology is unable to identify a customer. 

Delta will again expand the program in January when it introduces the technology to the International Terminal at Atlanta.

“Delta Digital ID provides a huge benefit in both time-savings and convenience, and we’ve been working with our partners for years to expand its reach,” said Greg Forbes, Managing Director – Airport Experience. “We’re thrilled to bring this technology to a whole new subset of our customer base.” 

It will be part of the expansion of facial recognition nationwide.