The traditional check-in process and boarding passes could soon be a thing of the past, as global air travel prepares for a major digital transformation. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency, is planning to introduce a “digital travel credential” that would revolutionize how passengers board flights.
Under the new system, travelers would store passport information and other credentials directly on their phones. When a flight is booked, a “journey pass” would be issued and automatically updated with any changes. There would be no need to manually check in or carry a boarding pass—facial recognition at airport touchpoints would verify a traveler’s identity and notify airlines of their arrival.
Amadeus, a leading travel tech company, called the move the “biggest upgrade in 50 years”—comparing it to the shift from paper to e-tickets in the early 2000s. Airports would need to invest in facial recognition and mobile passport-reading infrastructure to fully implement the change.
While privacy concerns are expected, Amadeus says their system wipes passenger data within 15 seconds of interaction with airport touchpoints. The technology also aims to streamline rebooking during delays—automatically updating passengers’ journey passes and issuing new boarding info on the fly.
The new digital-first approach is expected to roll out within three years, making air travel smoother, smarter, and more seamless.