Air Canada Is Making Your Face A Boarding Pass In Vancouver

Air Canada is taking a big step in modernizing the airport experience by extending its Digital Identification program to nearly all domestic flights leaving Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as of December 3, 2024. This expansion places Air Canada as the first Canadian airline to provide this advanced boarding option, and it comes after a trial project that successfully used face recognition technology for a few flights.

Photo: Noah Cooperman | Simple Flying

A Step in the direction of smooth travel

Travelers may quickly and easily verify their identification thanks to the new Digital ID program, which uses face recognition technology to expedite the boarding procedure. This program offers another level of convenience for travelers by enhancing Air Canada’s current digital offerings, which include access to Aeroplan accounts, baggage monitoring, and real-time flight information.

Tom Stevens, Air Canada’s Vice President of Canadian Airports and Customer Experience Strategy, emphasized the importance of this development in a statement:

“We are thrilled to take a leadership position with the Vancouver Airport Authority in using technology to simplify and transform boarding of almost all our YVR-departing domestic flights. Digital identification is readily used to streamline numerous daily activities including unlocking phones and entering workplaces, and bringing this technology to the gate enhances the travel experience, making boarding flights convenient and effortless. The feedback from customers, notably our frequent flyers, during the pilot phase was very positive. We look forward to expanding this technology to additional airports.”

How does the system work?

Participation in the Digital Identification initiative is optional and simple. Instead of showing a boarding card or other form of identification at the gate, passengers will use face recognition technology after registering through the Air Canada app. Passengers only need to approach a video screen at the gate to have their identities swiftly and safely confirmed in seconds. This makes the procedure more efficient for everyone by avoiding the need to search through baggage for ID or boarding passes.

One key benefit of this technology is its speed. Travelers who use digital ID will be able to board earlier and more quickly than by traditional means. The goal of the procedure is to shorten wait times and make traveling through airports easier and more comfortable.

Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock

Assurance of security and privacy

Travelers have choices. Air Canada said that it is dedicated to protecting the security of its customers’ personal information, even while the program improves convenience. The traveler’s agreement is required for participation, and face recognition is completely voluntary. Air Canada’s Digital ID system gives passengers complete control over their biometric data, and personal information is never shared without consent.

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The success of this program at Vancouver Airport has encouraged Air Canada to plan future rollouts at other Canadian airports. The airline also explores using Digital ID at additional airport touchpoints, including boarding gates, security checks, and Air Canada lounges. According to the carrier, the digital ID is already in use for lounge access at several airports, including Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Calgary International Airport (YYC), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).