Harry Reid Airport launches cutting-edge facial recognition security for faster travel
TSA PreCheck members can now breeze through security without showing ID
Harry Reid International Airport has joined the future of air travel security with the launch of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, a facial recognition system that eliminates the need for passengers to physically present identification documents. The technology arrives just in time for Labor Day weekend and positions Las Vegas as a leader in aviation innovation ahead of next year’s World Cup soccer tournament.
The new system allows eligible travelers to pass through security checkpoints in under eight seconds using only facial recognition technology. Passengers enrolled in TSA PreCheck who fly American, Delta, or United Airlines from Las Vegas can now experience this streamlined process that compares live facial images against passport photos already on file with the government.
How the technology works
Unlike traditional security procedures where travelers must hand over IDs and boarding passes to TSA agents, Touchless ID creates a completely hands-free experience. PreCheck members who opt into the program simply walk up to designated lanes where biometric sensors capture their facial features and instantly verify their identity against government databases.
“It has significantly increased the speed at which we can move people through screening,” said Mike Horton, vice president of national security at ASRC Federal, the technology vendor behind the system. Horton, a former chief data officer for the Department of Homeland Security, emphasized that the innovation represents a major leap forward in airport efficiency.
To participate, travelers must meet three requirements: active TSA PreCheck membership, a valid passport on file with their airline, and a flight on one of the participating carriers. The system generates a green icon on mobile boarding passes to indicate eligibility—printed boarding passes from airport kiosks won’t work with the technology.
Las Vegas leads innovation charge
The implementation at Harry Reid International reflects the airport’s commitment to testing cutting-edge technology. Terminal 3 houses a dedicated innovation center where vendors showcase and test new solutions aimed at improving passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Retiring Clark County Aviation Director Rosemary Vassiliadis expressed pride in TSA’s confidence in Las Vegas as a testing ground for new technology. The willingness of airport leadership to embrace innovation has made Harry Reid a preferred location for pilot programs that could reshape air travel nationwide.
Currently, fourteen other airports offer Touchless ID, including major hubs in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Denver, and both New York area airports. Alaska Airlines joins the three carriers at select locations, with plans to expand the program throughout 2025.
Security improvements beyond facial recognition
The Touchless ID launch comes amid broader changes to airport security procedures. In May, TSA transitioned to requiring REAL ID compliance, achieving a 94 percent compliance rate that has streamlined the verification process. Perhaps most notably, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced in July that passengers would no longer need to remove shoes at security checkpoints—ending a practice implemented after the 2001 shoe bomber incident.
While laptops must still be removed from bags and belts taken off before scanning, these evolving policies reflect TSA’s balance between security needs and passenger convenience.
Privacy considerations and future implications
The facial recognition technology operates under strict privacy protocols. TSA states that images are encrypted, never used for law enforcement or surveillance purposes, and deleted within 24 hours of scheduled departure. Participation remains entirely voluntary—travelers can opt out at any time and proceed through standard identity verification.
As ASRC Federal works to add more airlines and airports to the program, the technology points toward a future where biometric verification could extend beyond security checkpoints to baggage drop and boarding gates, creating a seamless airport experience from curb to gate.
For Las Vegas, a city that welcomes millions of annual visitors, the technology offers a glimpse of how innovation can enhance the travel experience while maintaining security standards. As the airport continues to test new solutions, passengers flying through Harry Reid International can expect to see more technological advances aimed at reducing wait times and improving their journey.
Image Sources: https://www.govtech.com/transportation/las-vegas-airport-using-touchless-id-with-facial-recognition
Category: Technology
Subcategory: Transportation & Infrastructure
Date: 09/2/2025
