Delta Air Lines will introduce what it calls the "first biometric terminal in the United States."

The carrier claims to equip the international terminal (Terminal F) of Atlanta Airport with a scanning technology that will allow international passengers to use facial recognition technology "from the edge to the door". airlines Aeromexico, Air France-KLM or Virgin Atlantic.

According to Delta, biometric updates will be fully deployed on the terminal "later in the year," even though the process will be "optional."

"If customers do not want to participate, they are just doing the normal thing, as they have always done, through the airport," Delta said in a statement.

During deployment, the biometric option will only be available to passengers making Atlanta check-in for non-stop flights to an international destination.

For those who want to use this option, Delta has introduced it as a preview of the future.

"The launch of the world's first biometric terminal at the busiest airport in the world means the future of flights is shifting to customers around the world," said Gil West, Delta's Chief Operating Officer. in a statement. "Customers expect that experiences along their journey will be simple and transparent – this is what we are aiming for by launching this technology at the points of contact at airports."

How is it going to work?

Delta says that customers must enter their passport information during check-in online (or at the airport, after a scan and a passport check). Then, passengers can click "Watch" when they check in at one of Delta's automated kiosks. According to Delta, customers have the same options as "approaching the camera at the counter in the lobby, at the TSA checkpoint or when boarding at the door".

"The expansion of biometrics and facial recognition into the airport environment is the next generation of security identification technology," said David Pekoske, TSA Administrator. "TSA is committed to working with major partners such as Delta, ATL and CBP to develop and deploy new features like these."

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