ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines plans to launch what it calls the nation's first "biometric terminal" by deploying facial recognition at multiple points in the international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
At the Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal and Concourse F at the Atlanta airport, Delta plans to use facial recognition at check-in, at the security checkpoint, at boarding and at Customs processing.
Atlanta-based Delta says international travelers flying on Delta between Atlanta and other countries can use facial recognition instead of their passports to get through those checkpoints at the airport.
It's similar to what has been launched at other airports globally, including a biometric terminal opened last fall at Singapore Changi airport. Other airlines have also tested the use of biometrics at other airports.
In Atlanta, plans are for the technology to be at Concourse F gates at Hartsfield-Jackson by Oct. 15 and throughout the international terminal by Dec. 1.
However, international travelers will still need to bring their passports, and will still need to show their boarding passes at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.
And Delta's deployment of facial recognition for international passengers in the international terminal doesn't change the process for those traveling on domestic flights, or people flying other airlines.
Passengers have the option to opt out of the facial recognition process, according to Delta.