Delta Turns to Facial Recognition Technology For This Year’s Holiday Rush

The airline industry anticipates what could be the busiest season since the start of the pandemic. And for Delta Air Lines, the carrier is days away from launching its facial recognition technology. Delta’s facial recognition technology will be used in two of the largest airports in the US—Atlanta, and Detroit.

The airline expects more than 5.5 million travelers in the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

Delta teamed up with Transportation Security Administration to design a touchless experience for passengers. This would include from bag drop to security and when the passenger is about to board the plane.

Ranjan Goswami, Delta’s senior vice president of customer experience calls it “the future in so many ways”. Goswami added that “we want to make the airport experience as effortless as possible”.

Voluntary Program

The facial recognition technology will be used on volunteer members of Delta’s loyalty program. Also, participating passengers must also have a TSA pre-check.

The passengers will arrive at the airport’s bag drop, TSA checkpoint, and they will just need to lower their masks. The facial recognition technology will recognize the passenger in just a few seconds. This tech will replace the boarding pass.

Not the First Time Delta Used Facial Recognition Technology

This isn’t the first time that Delta used facial recognition. Delta previously used facial recognition technology for its international flights.

Other airlines are also investing in modern technology to make boarding faster and more efficient for passengers. American Airlines already started developing its biometric screening in March. The airline is still testing the system in Dallas.

Privacy Concerns

Since it involves facial recognition, some passengers worry about their data. According to Goswami, “we are not storing any photographic imagery at all”. Goswami explained that “All we do is take your photo. And because you’ve uploaded your passport number as part of your Delta profile… we take that passport number and that picture”.