Passengers departing on American Airlines flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) no longer have to show a boarding pass at the gate, just their face.
The airline announced that it has implemented biometric boarding at DFW, its largest hub, with boarding international passengers having their face scanned in lieu of presenting a paper or digital boarding pass. Face scans are instantly verified to stored passport images with the US Customs and Border Patrol, and images are not retained, according to a press release.
If a passenger is not instantly cleared via the biometric system, gate agents will manually identify them using the normal clearance process. US passport holders also have the option of skipping biometric clearance and being processed manually.
“American is committed to ensuring that DFW remains a premier gateway,” said Cedric Rockamore, vice president of DFW hub operations at American Airlines.
“As its largest hub, implementing new technology like biometric boarding gives us the opportunity to enhance the airport experience in partnership with CBP. This new technology allows us to provide a more seamless and modern experience.”
American debuted biometric boarding at Los Angeles International Airport earlier in 2019. The airline has 91 daily international departures from DFW.
Gate agents will continue to check that travellers have their passports upon departure.
