ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) travelers at LAX, LGA, and JFK can now enjoy an expedited airport experience just in time for the holiday season. Originally introduced at the airline’s Detroit and Atlanta hubs in 2021, Delta Digital ID offers passengers a seamless, hands-free method for navigating the airport.
This cutting-edge technology, developed in collaboration with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is now being extended to three significant coastal hubs.
Delta Digital ID at Airports
By employing biometric facial matching, Delta Digital ID eliminates the necessity for agent-facilitated document checks. This allows customers to navigate bag drop and security checkpoints effortlessly, enhancing convenience and ease throughout their journey.
This entirely voluntary technology is accessible to customers who:
- Hold a TSA PreCheck® membership
- Store passport information and a Known Traveler Number in their Delta profile
- Possess a (free) SkyMiles membership
- Utilize the Fly Delta app
Customers eligible for this service will be notified through their Fly Delta app when traveling from a Digital ID-enabled airport, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK, starting Dec. 14).
Upon opting in, Delta Digital ID integrates into the customer’s SkyMiles profile, and they retain the option to opt out at any time. Delta ensures no storage or retention of biometric data.
Eligible customers have the option to opt into Digital ID through their SkyMiles profile on Delta.com. Before opting in, customers must have a passport and/or Known Traveler Number stored in their SkyMiles profile.
After the post-launch verification period, customers can use Delta Digital ID to check bags and navigate security without presenting a physical ID.
They simply need to locate the appropriate line marked with the green “Delta Digital ID” icon, gaze into the camera at bag drop and/or the security checkpoint, and use their digital identity in lieu of a physical ID.
Hasslefree and Quick Transactions
While the time saved at security lines depends on airport traffic, transactions with Delta Digital ID at bag drop typically take an average of 30 seconds. This represents a nearly 1.5-minute reduction compared to the standard two-minute bag drop time.
In terms of overall satisfaction, customers utilizing Delta Digital ID consistently outperform other Fly Delta app users by double-digit margins in the check-in and security experiences.
Allison Ausband, Chief Customer Experience Officer, emphasized the importance of a seamless airport experience in enhancing overall journey satisfaction.
With Digital ID, customers experience less hassle managing their wallets, and agents spend less time verifying documents. This technology creates an opportunity for genuine connections between Delta’s people and customers.
Delta’s collaboration with the TSA on Delta Digital ID is acknowledged for its dual advantages by TSA’s Austin Gould, Assistant Administrator for Requirements, Capabilities, and Analysis.
He emphasizes this technology’s time-saving benefits and enhanced security effectiveness, describing it as a simpler and more convenient experience.
Gould highlights the commitment to passenger privacy and adherence to security protocols, aligning with TSA’s mission of safeguarding the nation’s transportation systems.
In situations where facial matching algorithms encounter challenges, a trained agent will visually inspect the customer’s government-issued ID.
The success and popularity of Delta Digital ID at ATL and DTW have prompted further expansion plans. As of January, the technology’s presence in Atlanta will extend to the international terminal (ATL-F).
The positive reception from a majority of eligible customers opting for this technology is driving its continued expansion.
Future Expansions
Delta aims to extend the availability of Digital ID to more hubs in 2024, enhancing its convenience and time-saving benefits for travelers.
The introduction of Digital ID at major airports like LAX, LGA, and JFK is particularly advantageous during the bustling year-end travel season.
Greg Forbes, Managing Director of Airport Experience at Delta, expresses excitement about expanding the technology’s reach to a broader customer base, emphasizing its significant advantages in terms of convenience and efficiency.
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