Customers of JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) will soon start using facial-recognition to get passes into airports. The airline is working in conjunction with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the two are just about to roll out a test for the new paperless and deviceless boarding system. The test will be taking place at Boston’s Logan International Airport but it will only incorporate flights to Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport.
The system uses biometrics to match passengers with their passport photos. Customers will step up to the camera, take a photo and the image will be sent to CBP to be matched with their documents or immigration photos in the CBP database.
JetBlue on trend of adopting new technologies
There have been several security breach cases at airports hence the need for enhanced systems to alleviate the situation, goes the argument. The system is also expected to reduce friction points within the airport experience. Apparently, JetBlue will be the first airline to integrate a selfies-boarding process, which is part of its larger trends that it is targeting.
Jim Peters, the chief technology officer at SITA, which has been working on the program cites, “This biometric self-boarding program for JetBlue and the CBP is designed to be easy to use. What we want to deliver is a secure and seamless passenger experience.”
Biometric technology will have useful applications in the future of air travel
The biometric self-boarding program by JetBlue has been applauded by many, among them the CEO of the Airline Passenger Experience Association, Joe Leader. He says that it would be vital in solving the controversial electronic bans.
Though biometric check-in and boarding trials have been carried out in other airports, this is the first one of its kind that is going through the clearance of CBP systems. Once adopted, the technology is expected to provide a smoother travel process. Many airlines are quickly embracing the self-service and biometrics system and there are speculations that another pre-clearance program could also be introduced for those who wish to have their laptops or tablets on board.
In the meantime, JetBlue’s stock traded at $22.42 a decline of $0.07 or 0.31%.
