British Airways has launched a new trial of biometric technology that allows customers to travel internationally without showing their passports at the airport of departure.

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Biometric boarding on international flights

The new trial makes British Airways the first airline in the United Kingdom to experiment with biometric technology for international flights. Passengers who wish to participate in the trial will be asked to scan their boarding pass, face, and passport before travel. The airline assures that the information is kept safe and secure.

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Photo: British Airways

London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 will be home to the new trial. At the airport, Smart Bio-Pod cameras verify passengers' identities in less than three seconds. British Airways' Operations Transformation Manager, David Breeze, highlighted the importance of the new trial. It is the first time in the airline's history that passengers can register biometric information anywhere other than the airport.

This is also the first time that passengers are able to use their biometric information for British Airways flights.

"This is a secure and efficient tool that makes for a smarter and smoother airport experience, which will reduce the time it takes us to board aircraft. The beauty of this technology is that it also frees our people up to look after more complex customer enquiries and deliver the best possible customer service.” - David Breeze, Operations Transformation Manager, British Airways.

How it works

The new trial is specific to British Airways flights to Malaga, Spain, and will run for six months. Passengers are being randomly selected to participate in the trial, and those selected will receive an e-mail three days before their flight.

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Photo: British Airways

Those wishing to participate in the trial are not required to preregister at home; registration will also be offered in various places at Check-In Zone B. Passengers who opt-in will be able to use the Fast-Track security lanes and will receive complimentary priority boarding. The technology has been supplied by Amadeus Biometric Solutions.

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Photo: British Airways

First UK airline to introduce biometric boarding

British Airways was the first airline to introduce self-boarding at airport gates. In June 2017, the airline installed automated biometric technology at three gates in Terminal 5, after a successful trial in 2016.

The biometric technology that British Airways began using took a digital scan of passengers' faces as they went through security. At the gate, after scanning their boarding pass, the biometric system would match the passenger's digital facial scan with the one taken at security.

During the first half of June 2017, the airline added the biometric equipment to three domestic gates per week and already considered adding it for international flights.

First A350 to Cape Town

Earlier this week, British Airways sent its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to Cape Town for the first time. The inaugural flight came as the airline is ramping up its services to South Africa. Beginning on November 20, the airline is doubling its services to Cape Town from London Heathrow.

In addition to its twice daily flights to Cape Town from Heathrow, as of December 13, British Airways will resume its three weekly flights from Gatwick to Cape Town with its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

  • British Airways Tile
    British Airways
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    BA/BAW
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport
    Year Founded:
    1974
    Alliance:
    oneworld
    Airline Group:
    IAG
    CEO:
    Sean Doyle
    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Loyalty Program:
    British Airways Executive Club
    Region:
    Europe
  • heathrow_17581988126223
    London Heathrow Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LHR-EGLL
    Country:
    United Kingdom
    CEO:
    John Holland-Kaye
    Passenger Count :
    19,392,178 (2021)
    Runways :
    09L/27R - 3,902m (12,802ft) | 09R/27L - 3,660m (12,008ft)
    Terminals:
    Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Terminal 4 | Terminal 5