In an effort to make the boarding experience that much smoother, Air Canada is rolling out its newest technology on Tuesday. Boarding a flight is now easier, with no ID or passport required. However, several experts have taken exception to the new facial recognition technology.
Let’s find out what experts are saying, and how Canadian passengers can use the latest technology. In addition, we’ll take a look at what American Airlines is doing in the US to also accelerate the boarding process, with a new technology of its own.
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As of Tuesday, Air Canada is making a key change; using facial recognition technology at the gate prior to boarding a flight. This will be the first time the technology is being used in Canada. Vancouver International Airport will debut the technology. Passengers will be able to board the plane without any pieces of identification – a passport won’t be needed.
The program is voluntary, and starts with a passenger uploading a photo of their face, along with their passport to the airline’s app.
Although it is new in Canada, the technology has already been in use overseas, along with several airlines in the US. According to Global News, Delta Air Lines had some customers using the technology as of 2021, particularly in Atlanta and Detroit. Since then, the technology has expanded to Los Angeles and New York City in 2023.
As of 2023,
Germany’s Frankfurt Airport
allowed “face biometrics” at the check-in and boarding gate.
Air Canada Airbus A321-200 on its final approach for landing at Toronto International Airport
Although it will save some time, there are security concerns. John Gradek, a teacher at McGill University, tells Global News one of his concerns.
“It’s privacy and control of the data and who gets to see the data. How are you going to eliminate the data, or how are you going to manage the flow of that data?”
A spokesman for Air Canada issued a statement in response, ensuring the technology won’t breach the privacy of passengers.
“In terms of privacy, that consideration has been at the forefront of the development of this technology and something that is very important to Air Canada.”
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American Airlines plane.
American Airlines is testing a technology of its own. Similar to Air Canada, American Airlines is aiming towards a smoother process at the boarding gate. However, the airline is aiming its technology towards line cutters. If a passenger attempts to board before their gate, a sound will alert a gate agent.
“In these instances, the American team member will invite the customer to rejoin the line when their boarding group is called,” American Airlines said in a statement.
The technology started at three airports: Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport on a test run. Prior to Thanksgiving, the technology was set to hit 100 airports nationwide.
So far, the reviews have been positive, especially for passengers that have benefits attached to their plane ticket.
