Facial recognition could be the new airline boarding pass

Source: 9to5mac.com

Nowadays, new technologies are everywhere and their uses are multiple in order to change and to enhance customer’s experiences. We can still improve products or processes and especially in the tourism sector. For example, who has never thought it is too long to get in a plane? Only 2 people to check your ID and your boarding passes. Since many years, one technology is developing rapidly with the facial recognition. The aim is to replace boarding passes and to reduce the time for boarding in the plane. British Airways was one of the first airline companies to implement this technology in Orlando airport in 2017. They decided to test their “new biometric boarding process” in Miami and New York JFK airports.

This article deals with this face-recognition process that can be implemented by different airlines companies in many airports if tests are positive. Indeed, many airlines companies try to find a solution in order to be more efficient and to reduce boarding time by two. “Biometric e-Gates”, as they call it, could be the solution. It’s based on gates using high-definition camera to scan traveler’s faces. Travelers need to scan their passport and then the camera will scan and check their facial features in 1 second. They will see whether it matches with their passport or visa photos. British Airways did one experience on a Los Angeles – Orlando flight and the result was pretty good because they were able to board 400 travelers in only 22 minutes. Normally, with the normal process it takes twice that amount of time. More and more companies will try this technology and Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is also testing it.

With terrorism threats, security checks has increased and it takes more time to control identity. If airlines companies and airports approve this new process, it can be a way to reduce boarding time and to improve consequently flights efficiency. Indeed, if companies reduce time, they can propose more flights to customers. In the United States, it is also a safer method because it allows you to verify face features with Customs and Border Protection data. This new process could be beneficial for both customers and flight companies. One will wait less to get in the plane while the other will be more efficient.

However, travelers need to have a biometric passport because inside of it, there is a chip with your picture and fingerprint. While a lot of country has adopted this technology there are still some people who do not have access to it. There is also a question of privacy life because even if you will gain time to board, it is not only your personal information that will be saved but also your face.

We could also implement this technology for MICE industry. At the registration desk, big congress organizers can use facial recognition to reduce waiting time and machines can provide the attendees with their badges once they have checked their identity with face-recognition.

Do you think facial recognition could be the solution to reduce waiting time at the airport? Will you be ready to sacrifice privacy on the altar of timesaving?

Antoine Gagneux and Laura Baptiste

Lovejoy B. (2018, March 9) After Face ID to unlock your iPhone, face-recognition could be the new airline boarding pass. Retrieved from https://9to5mac.com/2018/03/09/facial-recognition-boarding-pass/