JetBlue launches facial recognition at airports for paperless boarding
Partners with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and SITA for pilot program
02 June, 2017
category: Biometrics, Corporate, Government
Advancing facial recognition at airports, JetBlue today announced it is the first airline to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on paperless and deviceless self-boarding. Using technology from SITA, passengers will use facial recognition technology to identify themselves at the gate during boarding.
After submitting a photo at a dedicated camera station, the system will connect to CBP to match the captured image to passport photos in a CBP database
Starting in June, the new process will be available on flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport. No prior enrollment or registration will be required for participants.
Customers who opt in during the boarding process can put away their boarding passes and devices and instead opt to use the biometric system. After submitting a photo at a dedicated camera station, the system will connect to CBP to match the captured image to passport, visa or immigration photos in a CBP database and verify flight details.
If approved, a screen above the camera will notify the passenger that they are cleared to proceed to the jet bridge. JetBlue crewmembers will use iPad minis to monitor and manage the boarding process and interact with customers.
SITA provides technology, communications and border security solutions to airlines, airports and governments. For this program, the company is providing facial capture and integration with the CBP database as well as integration with JetBlue’s departure control system.
The goal of the pilot is to show how facial recognition at airports can make the boarding process seamless for the passenger and enhance national security through biometric exit.
“We hope to learn how we can further reduce friction points in the airport experience, with the boarding process being one of the hardest to solve,” said Joanna Geraghty, executive vice president customer experience, JetBlue.