American Airlines mobile ID now at PreCheck at DFW


American Airlines is trialling a biometric system at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) where passengers can get through security with just their face.

Passengers create an American Airlines Mobile ID on their mobile device. They use that and their face to clear security instead of a physical ID like a passport or driver’s licence.

How it works

To use the system passengers need to have TSA PreCheck and the AA mobile app.

Passengers create an American Airlines Mobile ID on the AA app:

  • Download the Airside Digital Identity App
  • Take a photo of their face
  • Scan their driver’s license or passport
  • Enter their American Airlines AAdvantage number

The app:

  • verifies the information against each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles records or the passport’s embedded NFC chip
  • stores the passenger’s Mobile ID on their mobile device

As they go through security, passengers present a QR code on their phone and consent to share their American Airlines Mobile ID with TSA.

The system checks the live passenger image against the Mobile ID

They have their picture taken at a TSA PreCheck checkpoint. TSA’s systems match that live image against the American Airlines Mobile ID. The entire process at the airport apparently takes less than five seconds.

Privacy

Once verified, TSA erases the encrypted digital ID from its checkpoint readers and passengers retain their digital ID on their device until they are ready to use it at another waypoint, such as an airport lounge.

Locations

The system is now available at every TSA PreCheck at DFW. Later in 2022, American plans to deploy it at:

  • Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA)

American Airlines and biometrics

American plans to roll out more biometric checks at additional kiosks, bag check and domestic boarding gates.

The airline has already run digital ID trials for touchless bag drop and Admirals Club entry at DFW.

American passengers can verify their identities through facial matching at international boarding gates at several airports.


N.B. Image credit: American Airlines

Internet links

American Airlines (AA)

American Airlines Mobile ID

TSA Pre Check