American Airlines Announces Biometric Screening in Partnership With TSA

American Airlines has announced that it will be partnering with TSA to offer AAdvantage members a “streamlined” way to check in.

A press release announcement revealed that the members of the frequent flyer program will soon “enjoy a streamlined process at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security checkpoints through TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID.”

As part of the airline’s collaboration with TSA, eligible members who opt to enroll will be able to pass through security in specific airports with ease in the coming months. A customer can pass through the security checkpoint hands-free once their image is compared to their current passport photo through an identification match.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by American Airlines (@americanair)

“We want to give our customers an easy experience while they move through every point of their travel journey, and the airport is a big part of that,” said Kim Cisek, American Airlines’ vice president of customer experience, in a statement accompanying the press release. “Introducing this option will help customers move more seamlessly from the airport lobby through TSA security to enjoy the next step in their travel.”

American Airlines Has Made Headlines Lately

Last month, American Airlines made headlines when it announced it was seeking $94 million in a so-called “skiplagging” lawsuit.

The practice of booking a trip with a layover but using the layover city as the end destination is known as “hidden city” ticketing, or skiplagging. The airline company is suing Skiplagged, a website that teaches tourists how to do the practice, for “exploiting” American’s name to sell its clients cheaper tickets, according to Aviation A2Z.

Last year, the Fort Worth-based carrier filed a lawsuit against Skiplagged in federal court, and on Monday, Oct. 7, it presented its evidence to the jury. According to American Airlines, Skiplagged is violating airline regulations, violating trademarks, and putting customers’ tickets at risk of having them revoked by advertising this booking hack. The airline further alleges that Skiplagged tortiously interfered with its commercial operations.

The tactic used by Skiplagged is referred to be a “classic bait and switch” operation by American Airlines. According to the airline, Skiplagged improperly exploits American’s well-known reputation for attracting travelers searching for cheaper tickets by employing this questionable strategy.