Air Canada has announced the launch of digital identification technology for select flights from Vancouver International Airport. It is the first Canadian airline with approval to use such technology.
Becoming more innovative
In a world that is becoming more and more innovative each day, airlines and airports are looking to implement new technologies that improve the passenger experience. Such features include airport maps with GPS directions in airline apps, bag tracking, bag drop shortcuts at airports, mobile boarding passes, and even biometric technology for boarding aircraft. Today, Air Canada announced it was the first Canadian airline to receive approval to begin using digital identification technology for select flights out of YVR and its Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Using facial recognition technology, Air Canada will digitally identify its clients when boarding certain flights to Winnipeg. In the future, the airline hopes to expand the use of the technology to other Canadian airports and its Maple Leaf lounges.
Passengers on flights eligible for the use of the new digital technology will receive a notification inviting them to use the technology and with instructions on signing up before their flight. Those not wishing to enroll can proceed normally with mobile or paper boarding passes and a government-issued photo ID.
According to the airline, biometric data is only stored on each mobile device and can only be collected with passenger content. The information may be held “for up to 36 hours subject to Air Canada’s rigorous privacy and security standard.”
