Identity at the Center #343 - Transforming Travel with Digital Identity featuring Kristin Olsen from Alaska Airlines
Apr 14, 2025
Kristin Olsen, Director of Product Management at Alaska Airlines who leads day-of-travel digital identity work. She talks about using face and phone verification across checkpoints and bag drops. She explores TSA touchless integration, mobile IDs and tap-to-auth visions. She also touches on risk segmentation, adoption timelines, and how improv sharpened her communication.
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Digital Identity Focused On Day-Of-Travel
- Alaska defines digital identity for day-of-travel as using a government-based ID in digital form across the journey.
- Their goal is for guests to use their face or phone at every touchpoint during day-of-travel.
TSA Galleries Power Temporary Face Verification
- Alaska leverages TSA's Touchless Identity Solution to create a temporary gallery for validated travelers.
- The gallery is used for 24 hours per airport and then wiped to limit exposure and scope.
Protect Privacy With Opt-In And No Storage
- Require explicit guest opt-in and avoid storing biometric data to reduce privacy concerns.
- Use trusted government programs like TSA's Touchless Identity Solution rather than holding biometric data yourself.