Starting in Vancouver Tuesday (Dec. 3), Air Canada will be the first Canadian airline to offer customers the ability to use facial recognition to board domestic flights. The voluntary Digital Identification program is designed to create faster, seamless boarding by eliminating the need for passengers to produce passports or other physical ID. It will soon be rolled out at additional airports across the country.

The next evolution of the airline’s Digital ID initiative at YVR follows a successful pilot project on select flights and will offer travellers “the convenience and security of digital recognition at the gate to confirm their identities.”

“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,” says Air Canada VP Tom Stevens.

He adds, “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.”

Benefits

• App access: Building upon the on the Air Canada app’s top features like real-time flight updates, baggage tracking, and Aeroplan account access, Digital ID introduces a new level of ease when boarding, making the travel experience more connected and hassle-free.
• Faster Boarding: With Air Canada’s Digital ID, there’s no need to search for your phone, boarding pass, or physical ID. Simply walk up to the camera screen, and your identity is confirmed in seconds, reducing wait times and simplifying the travel experience. Customers utilizing Digital ID will be among the first to board the aircraft and get settled in sooner.
• Secure and Seamless: Air Canada’s Digital ID technology securely confirms the traveller’s identity while streamlining the boarding process. Participation is entirely optional and based on consent, giving full control over data.

Digital identification is also available for customers to enter Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges in Toronto (YYZ), Calgary and San Francisco, as well as the Air Canada Café in Toronto. Additional airport boarding gates and touchpoints are planned to come on-line in future.

Privacy and security

The Air Canada digital identification system is strictly an optional, consent-based Air Canada program. Customers control when they share biometric and other personal information with Air Canada. Customers who do not wish to utilize digital identification may simply board as they currently do now by presenting their boarding pass and government-issued photo ID for manual ID check and processing.

Air Canada’s digital identification is not related to any government-sponsored program such as NEXUS, Global Entry or US CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC).

“Digital identification will allow travellers to quickly and securely verify their identity at key airport touchpoints – similar to unlocking a smartphone or securing transactions,” says Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO at Vancouver International Airport. “This enhanced process will reduce wait times and provide a more convenient and hassle-free journey.”

How to enroll

For more information and a step-by-step guide on how to enroll, visit Air Canada’s Digital Identification information page HERE.

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