What touchless TSA PreCheck means and how Delta fits in

Touchless TSA PreCheck is a screening option that lets you move through airport security without a TSA officer physically touching you or your belongings. Instead of a pat-down, officers use advanced imaging technology to scan you, and your bags go through X-ray machines without being opened or hand-searched. Delta does not issue or manage this program — TSA does — but Delta passengers can use it at any airport where it is available.

The touchless option exists within the standard TSA PreCheck program. When you enroll in TSA PreCheck, you get a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you use on all flights, including Delta bookings. At airports with touchless screening lanes, you can request the touchless process instead of the traditional PreCheck screening. You do not need a separate enrollment or a different membership tier.

Availability varies by airport. Major hubs like Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York often have touchless lanes, but smaller airports may not. When you arrive at security, ask the TSA officer if touchless screening is available that day — it is not always staffed during every time slot.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless TSA PreCheck is part of the standard TSA PreCheck program, not a separate Delta product, and you access it using your Known Traveler Number.
  • You enroll in TSA PreCheck through the official TSA website or at an enrollment center, then add your KTN to your Delta booking to use it on flights.
  • Touchless screening is available only at certain airports and only when TSA has staffed those lanes, so availability is not may provide on every flight.
  • The enrollment process takes about 10 to 15 minutes in person and costs $78 to $85 for five years, depending on which enrollment method you choose.
  • You can request touchless screening at security, but TSA officers make the final decision based on what technology and staff are available that day.

How to enroll in TSA PreCheck

Start by going to the official TSA PreCheck website at tsa.gov/precheck. Click "Enroll Now" and create an online account. You will answer questions about your citizenship, criminal history, and immigration status. This part takes about 10 minutes and does not cost anything yet.

After you complete the online form, you will be asked to schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. TSA PreCheck enrollment centers are located at airports, passport acceptance facilities, and some police departments. Search for a center near you on the TSA website — you can filter by city or zip code. Book an appointment for a time that works with your schedule; most centers have openings within a few days to a week.

At your appointment, bring a valid passport or driver's license, proof of citizenship or immigration status (like a birth certificate or green card), and proof of your current address (like a utility bill or lease). The officer will take your fingerprints, photograph, and signature. The whole visit takes 10 to 15 minutes. Pay the enrollment fee at this time — $78 for five years if you pay in full, or $85 if you use a monthly payment plan.

After your appointment, TSA will mail you a Known Traveler Number (KTN) within two weeks. This is the number you use on every flight to access PreCheck benefits, including touchless screening where available.

Adding your KTN to Delta bookings

Once you have your KTN, add it to your Delta profile so it appears on every ticket you book. Log into your Delta account on delta.com or the Delta app. Go to "My Profile" or "Account Settings" and look for a section labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "TSA PreCheck." Enter your KTN exactly as it appears on your TSA letter.

When you book a new flight after adding your KTN, it will automatically populate on your ticket. If you booked a flight before adding your KTN, you can edit the reservation and add it manually. Go to "Manage My Booking," select your flight, and add the number to your passenger details.

Check your boarding pass before you go to the airport. Your KTN should appear in small print on the pass, usually near your name or confirmation number. If it is missing, contact Delta customer service or add it again through your account. Without the KTN on your ticket, TSA will not know you are a PreCheck member and will send you through standard security screening.

Requesting touchless screening at the airport

When you arrive at security, look for a TSA PreCheck lane — these are usually marked with blue signs and are separate from standard screening lines. TSA PreCheck lanes are faster because officers do not require you to remove shoes, belts, light jackets, or laptops from your bag.

If you see a touchless screening lane (sometimes labeled "Advanced Imaging Technology" or "AIT"), ask the TSA officer at the entrance whether you can use it. The officer will direct you to the touchless lane if it is available and staffed. If touchless is not running that day, you will go through standard PreCheck screening instead.

In the touchless lane, you will walk through an advanced imaging machine that scans your body. You do not need to remove anything except your phone and keys. Your carry-on bag goes through an X-ray machine. The whole process takes about two to three minutes. If the scan flags something, an officer may ask you to step aside for a brief visual inspection, but physical contact is avoided unless absolutely necessary.

What happens if touchless screening is not available

Many airports do not have touchless lanes, and even airports that do may not have them staffed during all hours. If touchless is not available, you will still go through TSA PreCheck screening, which is faster than standard security. You will remove your shoes, belt, and light jacket, and place your laptop in a separate bin, but you will not experience a pat-down unless something triggers a secondary check.

If you have a medical condition or personal preference that makes physical contact difficult, tell the TSA officer before screening begins. Officers can sometimes arrange alternative screening methods, such as a visual inspection or a private screening room, though these options vary by airport and are not may provide.

Check the TSA website or call your airport's TSA office before your trip if touchless screening is important to you. Some airports publish their touchless availability on their websites, though this information is not always current. Calling ahead is the most reliable way to confirm.

Costs and how long enrollment takes

TSA PreCheck enrollment costs $78 for a five-year membership if you pay in full at your appointment. Some enrollment centers offer a monthly payment option for $85 total, spread over several months. A few credit cards and travel memberships reimburse the TSA PreCheck fee, so check your benefits before paying out of pocket.

The timeline from process to receiving your KTN is usually two to four weeks. You can book and fly before your KTN arrives — just add it to your reservation as soon as you receive it. If you are flying within the next two weeks and want PreCheck benefits, you can request expedited processing at your enrollment appointment, though this is not always available and does not may provide faster results.

Your KTN is valid for five years from the date you enroll. About 60 days before it expires, TSA will send you a renewal notice. You can renew online without a new appointment for $70, or you can go through the full enrollment process again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use touchless TSA PreCheck on Delta flights to other countries?

Touchless screening is available only at U.S. airports and only for domestic flights or the U.S. portion of international flights. When you depart the United States on a Delta international flight, you will use touchless screening if available. When you arrive at your destination, you will go through that country's security screening, which may not have touchless options.

What if I do not have my KTN when I check in for my Delta flight?

You can still add your KTN to your reservation at the airport, either at the Delta ticket counter or at a TSA PreCheck enrollment kiosk if one is available. However, it is much faster to add it before you arrive. If you cannot add it in time, you will go through standard security screening instead of PreCheck.

Do I need to do anything different when I book a Delta flight to use touchless screening?

No. Just make sure your KTN is in your Delta profile and appears on your boarding pass. When you arrive at the airport, ask the TSA officer if touchless screening is available. You do not need to request it when you book or check in.

Can my family members use touchless screening with my TSA PreCheck number?

No. Each person needs their own TSA PreCheck enrollment and KTN. Children under 12 can go through PreCheck lanes with an adult who has PreCheck, but they do not need their own membership. Teenagers and adults must enroll separately and have their own KTN on their ticket.

What if the touchless machine flags something on my body?

If the advanced imaging machine detects something unusual, a TSA officer will ask you to step aside. They may ask you to remove the item (like a belt buckle or phone) and rescan, or they may perform a visual inspection. Physical pat-downs are used only if the officer cannot resolve the alarm any other way, and you can request a private screening room if you prefer.