Southwest Expands TSA Touchless ID And Bag Check

Southwest Airlines is giving some travelers a faster trip through the airport by expanding its use of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and restoring digital bag check in its app. After a pilot launch at Denver International Airport, the airline now supports Touchless ID at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, New York LaGuardia Airport, Portland International Airport, Seattle Tacoma International Airport, and Salt Lake City International Airport. At the same time, Southwest customers can once again check and pay for up to three standard bags in the app before they reach the counter.

Southwest's Touchless ID rollout

The Touchless ID expansion builds on a trial that began at Denver, where TSA and Southwest tested a process that verifies identity without a physical boarding pass or paper ID in hand. The latest rollout adds hubs and focus cities that see heavy Southwest traffic, including Atlanta, New York, Portland, Seattle, and Salt Lake City, which makes the program more useful for frequent flyers who connect through multiple airports on the network.

To use the system, travelers must meet three conditions. They need to be enrolled in TSA PreCheck, hold a valid passport, and be members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program. Once those boxes are checked, customers can opt in to TSA PreCheck Touchless ID inside the Southwest mobile app.

At the airport, the flow is straightforward. Travelers approach the Touchless ID lane, scan their mobile pass, then look into a camera at the checkpoint. The TSA system compares the live image against pre registered photos tied to their TSA PreCheck profile and passport, and a successful match allows them to move forward without handing over a physical ID. For many passengers, that removes one of the slower handoffs in the security process.

How Touchless ID works for travelers

Touchless ID does not change the basic rules of TSA PreCheck, it layers biometric identity verification on top of an existing trusted traveler program. That means travelers still pass through a dedicated PreCheck lane, keep shoes and light jackets on, and can usually leave laptops and small liquids inside their bags, subject to the officer's discretion and local rules. The new piece is the biometric check at the front of the lane.

Because the system relies on a valid passport and pre enrolled PreCheck data, it is best suited for U.S. based travelers who fly several times per year and already maintain their trusted traveler status. Families may find that not every member qualifies, especially younger travelers who are not individually enrolled in PreCheck, so parties should confirm eligibility before assuming they can all use the same lane.

For now, the benefit is concentrated at the six participating airports. Travelers who start at, say, Denver or Atlanta and connect through non participant airports will still need to use conventional PreCheck ID checks for those segments. However, the pattern suggests that if the program performs well, additional Southwest stations could be added later.

Digital bag check returns in the app

Alongside the security upgrade, Southwest is restoring a feature many customers missed, the ability to check bags digitally before reaching the airport. After completing online check in, travelers can now use the Southwest app to check and pay for up to three standard bags for their itinerary. Payment methods include Apple Pay, PayPal, and major credit cards, giving travelers several ways to clear charges before travel day.

For passengers, the main advantage is time. Instead of standing at a full service counter to both declare and pay for bags, travelers who have checked and paid in the app can often use dedicated bag drop positions where available. That can shorten the interaction to a quick tag and handoff, especially in the early morning waves when lines are longest.

The feature also provides more transparency. By seeing bag fees and limits in the app at the time of payment, travelers have one more chance to redistribute items, decide whether to consolidate bags, or confirm that their fare type covers the luggage they plan to check. It aligns with Southwest's broader push to move routine transactions into digital channels and keep airport staff focused on exceptions and irregular operations.

Final thoughts

Southwest's expansion of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and the return of digital bag check make the airline's app more valuable for regular flyers, especially those who pass frequently through Denver, Atlanta, New York LaGuardia, Portland, Seattle, and Salt Lake City. Travelers who take a few minutes to enroll in these options before their next trip can expect shorter ID checks at security and faster bag drop, which matters most during peak periods when lines and stress levels are highest.

Sources

• Southwest Airlines, TSA PreCheck And Touchless ID Information
• Transportation Security Administration, TSA PreCheck Program Overview