This photo provided by Delta Air Lines shows a new biometric scanning technology at Terminal F of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (Photo: John Paul Van Wert via Delta Air Lines)

According to Delta, Terminal F at Atlanta Airport has become the "first biometric terminal" in the United States, where passengers can use "end-to-end" face recognition technology.

And Delta has already announced its intention to offer this technology to another of its hubs: Detroit.

In Atlanta, Delta has been rolling out biometric features since October. Now, starting December 1st, all Delta passengers traveling on flights worldwide will be able to take advantage of biometric options for all parts of their journey from Terminal F at the airport.

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"We eliminate the need for a customer who records a bag to present his passport up to four times a departure – which means we give customers the opportunity to move around the airport without having to worry of nothing, while empowering our employees. with more time for meaningful interactions with customers, "said Gil West, Delta's chief operating officer, in a statement touting the airline's efforts to equip Terminal F with biometric technology.

The option will also be available for non-stop international passengers from Atlanta on Delta, Aeromexico, Air France-KLM or Virgin Atlantic partner airlines.

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How is it going to work?

Delta indicates that customers enter their passport information when registering online. Or, at the airport, customers can scan their passport to check in. Then, passengers can click "View" when they arrive at one of Delta's automated kiosks. Passenger facial scanners will be matched to passport or visa photos stored in US Customs and Border Protection records. According to Delta, customers have the same option since they "approach the camera at the counter located in the lobby, at the TSA checkpoint or when they step on the door."

While Delta had deployed this option in Atlanta prior to the official launch, the carrier said it received positive feedback and helped speed up the boarding of its international flights.

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"Nearly 25,000 customers who use ATL Terminal F each week choose this optional process, with less than 2% opt-out," Delta said in a statement. "And, according to initial data, the facial recognition option saves an average of two seconds for each customer boarding, or nine minutes for boarding in a jumbo jet."

Delta plans to make its Detroit hub the next of its terminals to benefit from the "round-trip" biometric option.

Features will be added next year, Delta said.

"It's a great honor for the Detroit Metropolitan Airport to become one of the country's first biometric terminals," said Chad Newton, Acting General Manager of the Wayne County Airport Authority, which manages the Detroit Airport . "We look forward to partnering with Delta, CBP and TSA to offer passengers the opportunity to use facial recognition throughout their entire travel process."

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