How Biometrics Is Fast-Tracking Travel
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But what exactly is biometrics? That broad term can refer to any form of body measurement that is used for authentication purposes, such as a fingerprint, face scan or even your iris. Armed with this information, airlines and hotels can speed up various segments of your journey — from boarding planes, checking in to hotels, even crossing borders — making travel faster and safer for all. Here’s how this new technology is being implemented both in the United States and abroad.
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Rising Around the World
Delta Airlines leads the way with the launch of a fully integrated biometric terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2018. In addition, the airline owns a 5% stake in CLEAR. Delta is also testing a self-service luggage kiosk that will scan your face and verify your passport so you can check your own bag.
Their “curb-to-gate” facial recognition system for international travelers has some travelers feeling uneasy. Although customers like the convenience of biometric shortcuts, a recent Brookings poll showed that 44% of respondents viewed such systems unfavorably, as opposed to 31% who thought favorably of them with privacy as the major concern. Insiders believe that these stats will change over time to a more favorable stance once travelers experience how biometric technology significantly expedites their journeys.
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Other airports have since implemented biometrics. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has deployed its Biometric Facial Comparison system to 224 airports in the United States, including all 14 CBP Preclearance and 49 international departure locations. They aim to raise that number to 400 in the year to come.
The swell in biometric technology is not just an American fad — it’s taking the whole world by storm. British Airways and Lufthansa are using biometric boarding gates to expedite boarding, claiming they can onboard 350 passengers in just 20 minutes. Globally, SITA estimates that biometrics will be available to travelers for check-ins and bag drop at more than half the airports around the world by 2026. Ultimately this could mean significant improvement in the business traveler's experience, with 30 percent faster passenger processing times and 60 percent reduction in wait times, according to SITA.
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