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“Using biometrics at the boarding gate is only the beginning and we’re in talks with industry players, globally and here in New Zealand, about how we can use biometric technology throughout the whole airport process.”

Air New Zealand Chief Digital Officer Nikhil Ravishankar says this technology will speed up the boarding process, creating a seamless experience for customers and airport staff.

Last week, Air New Zealand customers were some of the first to experience biometric verification at the boarding gate after a successful trial at Los Angeles Airport.

“We’ve heard customers want their airport experience hassle-free, and technology is a crucial enabler. According to IATA, over 75 percent of customers see massive value in biometric verification and want to use it instead of passports and boarding passes.

“The feedback from over 1000 customers who have used this technology to board our flights has been positive.”

“Contactless technology changes are coming thick and fast, and we’re continuing to learn and adapt to innovations that will make travel easier”.

“This is another step towards our ambition to become the world’s leading digital airline and is the result of months of hard mahi, planning and collaboration.”

Using the automated airport kiosks, this data is then used to verify their identity at boarding.

Upon entering the US, customers can register with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) using their biometric information.

Earlier this month, the airline launched its improved Air NZ App, which has had close to 2.3 million downloads. Biometric information is secured by CBP and not directly accessible to Air New Zealand or any other airline using this service.

Boarding passes will soon be a thing of the past. It’s all part of Air New Zealand’s plan to take the friction out of travel and to make the journey through the airport that much smoother. No sighting passports and no scanning boarding passes. In the new travel era, we need simplicity, not complexity.”

The next cab off the rank is San Francisco, followed by the airline’s other US ports.