American Airlines (AA) customers who travel using TSA PreCheck can now go through airport security stress-free. AA has teamed up with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to test a mobile identification application that replaces the need for physical boarding passes and IDs. For customers eligible for this service this means no more searching for everything while carrying their bags.
More About The App
The mobile identification application, Airside Digital Identity, became available for both iOS or Android devices yesterday. There are some restrictions being that the program is still in beta. Aside from the service only being offered to AA travelers with TSA PreCheck memberships, the service is only available at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). AA hopes to bring this service to TSA PreCheck checkpoints at Miami International Airport (MIA), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), and more later this year.
Before Your Travel
For eligible AA travelers who want to use this service, the process of creating a Mobile ID is easy. After downloading the Airside Digital Identity App, travelers take a photo of their face, scan their driver’s license or passport with the app, and enter their AAdvantage number.
The app will then verify customers’ information and compare it against each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles records or the passport’s embedded NFC chip. Once verified, customers can securely store their Mobile ID on their mobile device until they travel.
While At The AirPort
While going through security, all eligible customers have to do is share a QR code on their phone and consent to share their American Airlines Mobile ID with TSA. TSA will then instruct customers using this service to look into a camera for TSA’s computer system to be able to match the customer’s encrypted image against their American Airlines Mobile ID. AA states, “the entire process at the airport typically takes less than five seconds.”
Future AA Integration Initiatives
Mobile identification is a continuation of AA’s initiatives to make customers’ experience more seamless. Julie Rath, Vice President of Customer Experience, Loyalty and Marketing speaks for AA when stating, “we’re committed to making our customers’ journeys easier, and airport waypoints provide significant opportunities for innovation. By simplifying the identity verification process… we’re helping our customers exchange stress for convenience… [while] propelling the travel industry further along the path to a truly seamless customer experience.” With facial matching provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, AA customers can already verify their identities at multiple international boarding gates. In the future, AA intends to roll out similar technology to additional kiosks, bag checks, and domestic boarding gates.
