
A recent morning, many travelers entered La Guardia Airport’s Terminal C in Queens. They checked bags and walked to the security screening lines. Some travelers who were previously part of a biometric security program proffered identification, but the security officer waved it away.
The use of facial recognition software by Delta Air Lines and the Transportation Security Administration at La Guardia is an example of how biometric technology could transform air travel. This year could be the “tipping point” for widespread biometrics use in air travel according to Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst for Atmosphere Research.
In the United States, major airlines have invested in facial recognition technology. Overseas, airports are installing biometrics-enabled electronic gates and self-service kiosks at immigration and customs.
The adoption of this technology could mean enhanced security and faster processing for passengers but also raises concerns over privacy and ethics. Many questions have emerged about the use of biometrics at airports. The T.S.A. has experimented with facial recognition technology since 2019.
Delta Digital ID program changes the process allowing travelers to use their faces in lieu of boarding passes and ID at both bag drop and security at selected airports. Other airlines have made similar experiments for PreCheck travelers. Alaska Airlines plans to spend $2.5 billion over the next three years in upgrades including new bag drop machines.
The fastest growing use of facial recognition software at U.S. airports so far has been in security measures for entering and exiting the United States. Overseen by the Customs and Border Protection agency, the biometric system for those entering the United States is in place and for those leaving the country.
Experts believe the future of air travel is one where facial recognition will be used throughout the entire airport journey. According to a report by SITA, 70% of global airlines are expected to use some sort of biometric identification by 2026 and 90% of airports are currently investing in the technology.