Delta tests boarding pass technology at Reagan Washington Airport in US

Delta Air Lines is testing its new biometric boarding pass at Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia, US.

If approved, the new technology will allow Delta SkyMiles customers enrolled in CLEAR to pass through the baggage handling zone to boarding an aircraft, without showing any boarding pass or printed ID.

CLEAR will capture and use both biometric and SkyMiles data to identify a passenger at bag drop area, Delta Sky Club entry and while boarding the flight.

Last year, Delta entered a collaboration to introduce CLEAR’s biometric service at major airports across the US to shorten long queues and reduce wait times for customers in security lines.

Delta chief operating officer Gil West said: “We're rapidly moving toward a day when your fingerprint, iris or face will become the only ID you'll need for any number of transactions throughout a given day.

“We're excited Delta's partnership with CLEAR gives us an engine to pioneer this customer experience at the airport.”

Phase I of the trial, which is currently underway, will allow eligible passengers to use one of the three scanners to enter the Delta Sky Club by using only their fingerprints as proof of identity.

During Phase II, the airline intends to introduce passenger biometrics as ID for members to pass through its ticket counter work stations for bag drops, Delta Sky Club desks for entrance verification and at gates for boarding.

Findings from the test conducted at the airport will be evaluated to determine next steps to be taken to enhance the process and facilitate broader implementation.