Star Alliance Biometrics: Facial scan instead of boarding pass
In the future, people will be able to pass through security and board planes quickly and almost contactless. Star Alliance Biometrics is using facial recognition as an on-board tool.
June 2, 2022
More convenient, faster and uncomplicated - that's how the boarding process should work in the future. That is if the Star Alliance has its way. With the introduction of Star Alliance Biometrics, the member airlines Austrian, SWISS and Lufthansa are taking a big step toward the future of flying. Instead of a physical boarding pass or a smartphone, all you need to do is take a look - and the airplane doors are open to you.
Use Star Alliance Biometrics
To use the new service, you need a valid passport, a free membership to the loyalty program, Miles & More and the latest version of the Miles & More or Lufthansa App. After that, only a few steps separate you from the futuristic boarding:
- Open the app, click on "Star Alliance Biometrics".
- agree to the transfer of certain data (name, Miles & More number)
- Set pin
- Take selfie
- Scan passport
- determine which airlines and aiports are allowed to access it
If you register for Star Alliance Biometrics more than 24 hours in advance, you can already board this way for the next flight. The technology is currently available for Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian flights at Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna airports.
All safe
The facial recognition also works when a mouth-nose protection is worn. The registration is permanent, but in the app, it is possible to determine at which airports and by which airlines the data can be used. Important: Star Alliance Biometrics is linked to the Miles & More card; therefore, the service card number must be provided when booking a flight. Since there are points where a boarding pass may still be required, such as border checkpoints, it is important to still carry the boarding pass physically or on the smartphone.
Mirjam Fröhlich, Head of Passenger and Baggage Management at Hamburg Airport:
The new technology provides additional time savings and ensures that the screening process at key points at the airport is even smoother - which is entirely in the interest of our passengers."
The offer is to be further expanded in the future, so that even more airlines and airports will offer the simplified access. There is no need to worry about data security. For example, no customer names are stored, and personal data is encrypted.
