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Technology is making inroads into the way we move around airports. The latest airline to announce an innovative change is JetBlue, which announced that they will be testing a new paperless and device-less boarding process. The latest announcement comes hot on the heels of Delta announcing a similar test, and KLM announcing another scheme earlier in the year.
The JetBlue test starts in June on flights between Boston and Aruba, and customers can take part without any prior enrollment or registration. The new scheme is a partnership between JetBlue, the US Customs and Border Protection Agency, and SITA the Global supplier of IT solutions to Airlines and Border Agencies. The new project will be the first time the CBP has collaborated with an airline to use biometric and facial recognition technology to verify passengers prior to boarding.
How the System Works
Passengers opting to take part in the new test will be able to put away their devices and paper boarding passes and will then step up to a camera for a photo. The photo will instantly connect to the CBP, which will cross reference it with Passport, Visa, or immigration photos on file in the CBP Database. Flight details will then be automatically verified and the passenger will be told they are cleared to head to the jet bridge by a screen above the camera.
In its press release, JetBlue confirmed that their staff will then be able to leave their counter to assist passengers thanks to the automated boarding procedure. Per the press release,
“The setup will move JetBlue crewmembers from behind the counter to interact with customers and assist throughout the process. JetBlue will issue iPad minis to crewmembers, giving them mobility to monitor and manage the boarding process while interacting with customers.”
Our Take
This is a great move and hopefully, the test will be successful and then rolled out further. It is clear from the many new tests being carried out around the world that we will be seeing a dramatic change in the way we move through airports over the next few years.
Source: One Mile at a Time
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