A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Travel Association in collaboration with Ipsos reveals that the majority of U.S. travelers favor the use of biometric technology at airport security checkpoints to enhance safety and streamline the travel experience.
The survey highlights a strong preference for next-generation security measures among American travelers, aligning with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s growing implementation of biometric screening.
The findings show that 79% of air travelers, including 78% of Americans, 80% of Democrats, and 76% of Republicans, support the use of biometrics at TSA checkpoints to confirm traveler identities.
This overwhelming support stems from a belief that such technology can both strengthen security and improve efficiency at airports.
Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, emphasized the importance of embracing modern technology for travel safety and efficiency. He said, “By overwhelming margins, air travelers support TSA’s use of biometric technology at airports to strengthen security and improve the travel experience. Travelers embrace next-generation technology at the same time a small cadre of members of Congress seek to take air travel back to the Dark Ages. Further efforts to harm the travel experience by forcing antiquated approaches upon travelers will have consequences among voters.”
The survey also shows that nearly all Americans (92%) and air travelers (95%) agree on the importance of verifying traveler identity to protect the flying public. Additionally, 90% of air travelers stated they would be more or equally likely to support biometric use at TSA security checkpoints if it reduced the typical time it takes to get through security.
Supporters of TSA biometrics cite the prevention of terrorism and human trafficking (71%) and enhancing airport safety (66%) as their primary reasons for backing the technology, even above improving travel efficiency and reducing wait times.
More than half of Americans also indicated they would be more supportive of biometric screening at airports if they knew the data would be deleted within hours of completing the trip, used specifically to stop terrorism, and safeguarded against sharing with other government agencies.
Geoff Freeman further highlighted the significance of these findings: “These results emphasize the important work of our Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, which is closely examining the use of biometrics to strengthen security, improve the passenger experience, and protect privacy. Given the decade of major global sporting events announced for the United States and knowing a vast majority of travelers prefer biometric screening, Washington must act to fund and widely utilize this technology at our nation’s airports to welcome and process millions of people who are expected to visit in coming years.”
To this end, the U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, led by former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, has initiated a year-long study to enhance U.S. global competitiveness in travel while improving security and efficiency. The commission is set to release a report with recommendations this fall, addressing the critical need for wider adoption of biometric screening technologies.
The survey results underscore a clear mandate from American travelers: faster and safer airports through advanced biometric screening. As the U.S. prepares for an influx of international visitors for upcoming global sporting events, implementing these technologies could redefine the travel experience.
