Are you ready for biometric travel? Changes are coming quickly to the way travelers clear security.
Delta says its Terminal F at its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta is the "first biometric terminal" in the United States-and it has already announced plans to offer the technology at another hub, Detroit.
Delta says that international passengers traveling on Delta, Aeromexico, Air France, KLM or Virgin Atlantic Airways can use facial recognition from "curb to gate," starting on December 1. That means your face can be used to check in at the self-service kiosks in the International lobby, drop checked baggage at the counters in the International lobby, serve as identification at the TSA checkpoint, board a flight at any gate in Terminal F and go through CBP processing for international travelers arriving into the U.S.
"We're removing the need for a customer checking a bag to present their passport up to four times per departure-which means we're giving customers the option of moving through the airport with one less thing to worry about, while empowering our employees with more time for meaningful interactions with customers," said Gil West, Delta's COO, in a statement touting the airline's effort to outfit Terminal F with the biometric technology.
Delta announced its biometric strategy earlier this fall, and now it's come to reality.
"Delta's successful launch of the first biometric terminal in the U.S. at the world's busiest airport means we are designing the airport biometric experience blueprint for the industry," said West.
West added that Delta plans to scale the end-to-end airport biometric terminal experience to the global airline's hub in Detroit in 2019. Next year, Delta will roll out facial recognition technology at DTW from curb to gate for its customers.
"It is a great honor for Detroit Metropolitan Airport to become one of the nation's first biometric terminals," said Chad Newton, Wayne County Airport Authority Interim CEO. "As a world-class airport, we are continuously seeking ways to enhance the customer travel experience. We look forward to partnering with Delta, CBP and TSA to provide passengers with the option to utilize facial recognition throughout their entire travel process."
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