JetBlue has announced a new method that lets its passengers ‘board in a snap’.
The New York-based airline is set to let passengers opt to have their photo taken at the gate instead of using traditional boarding passes.
The setup will use data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to instantly match the image to passport, visa or immigration photos in the database and verify flight details.
The program is set to launch next month, starting with flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport to Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport.
Customers who opt in during the boarding process can put away their boarding passes and devices and simply step up to the camera for a quick photo.
The camera is equipped with biometrics and facial recognition technology to analyse the passenger.
And the customer will then be notified on an integrated screen above the camera when they are cleared to board the plane.
The firm hopes the new setup will enable crew members to interact more with customers, as they will be assisting them throughout the process.
Crew members will also be issued iPad minis, which will allow them mobility to monitor and manage the boarding process.
‘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.
‘Self-boarding eliminates boarding pass scanning and manual passport checks. Just look into the camera and you’re on your way.’
If successful, the program will show how technology can make the boarding process simple and seamless for the traveller while enhancing U.S. national security through the implementation of biometric exit.
‘CBP looks forward to engaging closely with air travel partners, like JetBlue, to better understand how CBP’s biometric exit program will support their efforts to streamline the travel process by using advanced biometric technology,’ said CBP’s Office of Field Operations, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner, John Wagner.
‘By transforming current business operations, airlines and airports will have the opportunity to use verified biometrics to ensure a seamless and consistent process for travellers.’
Self-boarding builds on JetBlue’s efforts to innovate the airport travel experience. JetBlue recently debuted its self-service ‘line-less’ lobbies with new interactive kiosks featuring the latest personal, helpful and simple technology, including self-bag tagging and self-bag drop capabilities that increase efficiency and reduce frustrating airport lines.
JetBlue’s new lobby launched at New York-JFK last year and based on positive customer response, JetBlue has brought the new lobby design to Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, San Juan, Newark and Atlanta with more coming in 2017.
Courtesy Daily Mail