British Airways has become the first UK airline to trial the use of biometric technology for international flights.
This technology allows passengers to efficiently travel through the airport without having to show their passport.
The trial is taking place at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and will run for six months on British Airways flights to Malaga, Spain.
Customers who register to take part in the trial will be able to scan their face, passport and boarding pass on their smartphone or tablet ahead of travel.
Once they arrive at the airport, Smart Bio-Pod cameras developed by Amadeus will verify their identity in under three seconds. This will allow passengers to keep their passports safely packed until they reach their destination.
“Not only is this the first time that our customers have been able to register their biometric information at home, but it’s the first time they can use it for British Airways’ international flights. This is a secure and efficient tool that makes for a smarter and smoother airport experience, which will reduce the time it takes us to board aircraft
“The beauty of this technology is that it also frees our people up to look after more complex customer enquiries and deliver the best possible customer service.”
This trial follows the use of automated biometric technology on British Airways’ domestic flights in 2017, when the carrier became the first UK airline to introduce the technology.
If the trial is successful, British Airways plans to extend it to more international flights.
The option of using biometric technology supports the passenger preferences expressed in IATA’s 2022 Global Passenger Survey, which shows that travellers are prioritising convenience in their airport experience.
