Delta Air Lines is advancing its efforts to provide a smoother travel experience for customers through the use of technology and government partnerships. The airline is rolling out several initiatives this summer aimed at making processes like bag drop, security screening, and flight connections faster and more efficient.
“No one better connects the world than Delta, and we want to make your connections – and travel experience as a whole – smoother, smarter and more efficient at every step of the journey,” said Greg Forbes, Managing Director – Airport Experience. “These initiatives rolling out and expanding this summer are big steps towards delivering on that promise.”
Delta has implemented expedited bag drop options for travelers who check in using the airline’s app. Passengers departing from Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Detroit (DTW), or Seattle (SEA) can now take advantage of faster bag drop lanes after checking in digitally.
The company is also expanding its Touchless ID system—which uses facial matching technology—to all Delta hubs by the end of 2025. This system allows eligible SkyMiles members with TSA PreCheck to pass through dedicated bag drop and security lines without presenting a physical photo ID. The technology speeds up bag drop by as much as 75 percent, with transactions averaging 30 seconds, while security checks can be completed up to 60 percent faster than standard TSA PreCheck lines.
Touchless ID services are currently available for both bag drop and security at ATL, DTW, Los Angeles (LAX), LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Salt Lake City (SLC), Washington National (DCA) and SEA airports. Security-only experiences are available at Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS) and Portland (PDX).
For international travelers connecting through Atlanta from Incheon International Airport (ICN) or London Heathrow Airport (LHR), new procedures mean they no longer need to reclaim and recheck their bags before proceeding to their next gate—a change that can save up to 25 minutes during transit. Some passengers connecting from LHR who use Global Entry or the Mobile Passport App can also bypass additional TSA screenings in Atlanta, saving another 45 minutes.
These improvements have been made possible through cooperation with Korean Air, government agencies in Korea and the UK, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Delta says it plans to expand these innovations to other international routes in the future.
Additionally, travelers can save time entering the United States by using the free Mobile Passport Control app at 23 airports served by Delta. The app allows users to submit passport information ahead of arrival for expedited processing.
Delta continues to update its mobile app with features designed for international travelers—including prompts for scanning passports and reviewing destination-specific requirements—aiming to reduce paperwork hassles before departure.
