Instead of TSA staff examining a physical ID card, manually comparing a traveller's ID photo to their face, and verifying flight information, a machine will automate the process. Travellers will have to tap an NFC reader or use a QR scanner to initiate the data exchange. A TSA staff member will be present to oversee and validate the verification process.
If successful, the test will expand to airports in two more states the following month. The Apple Wallet is the first digital ID the TSA will accept (not counting privately run pre-check programmes like Clear), but the programme is expected to expand to other platforms in the future.
Apple also announced it has plans to expand Apple Wallet to cover conventional ID cards like state drivers licences, which are encrypted and stored as part of the process. The new system also supports hotel keys and was the subject of a partnership with Hyatt earlier in December 2021.
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