JetBlue rolls out biometric boarding at JFK and DCA

JetBlue, in partnership with CBP, has rolled-out its first fully-integrated biometric self-boarding gate at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for customers flying to select international destinations from Terminal 5. The dual-lane gate uses facial recognition technology to verify travelers with a quick photo capture.

The airline also announced a partnership with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to launch a one-step biometric boarding experience for customers flying to Nassau, Bahamas from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Since the program’s launch in 2017, more than 50,000 customers have participated in biometric boarding on more than 500 flights from four U.S. airports. There is no pre-registration required.

“The success of JetBlue’s biometric boarding program is a testament to the airline’s ongoing work to create a personal, helpful and simple experience,” said Ian Deason, senior vice president of customer experience, JetBlue. “The boarding touchpoint is an area that needs innovation and we feel biometrics will change the future of air travel as we look to create a more seamless journey throughout the airport.”

According to the announcement, JetBlue plans to expand its biometric boarding program to more international flights from New York-JFK, Boston and Fort Lauderdale, and expects to pilot a biometric bag drop station at New York-JFK early next year.

In September Delta Air Lines launched the first terminal-wide deployment of biometrics in the U.S. in partnership with CBP, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration.

Last month the TSA unveiled its ‘biometrics roadmap’, a collaborative biometrics vision for the TSA and its aviation security partners.

Article Topics

airports  |  biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  passenger processing  |  travel and tourism