Iberia has introduced a cutting-edge facial recognition boarding system for its Air Shuttle service, enhancing the passenger experience between Madrid and Barcelona. iberia biometric boarding

This biometric boarding service is now available at six gates at Madrid-Barajas Airport and one gate at Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

All adult Iberia Plus members holding a Spanish ID (DNI) or an EU passport are eligible to register for this service. The biometric boarding process is designed to improve punctuality and operational efficiency while also enhancing airline customer satisfaction.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Air Shuttle service between Madrid and Barcelona now offers passengers seamless security screening and boarding without the need to display mobile devices or documentation.

The service is accessible to all Iberia Plus cardholders. To register, users must enter their personal information in the Iberia app, take a photo of their ID, scan the document’s chip, and take a selfie. This registration process is a one-time requirement, after which passengers can link their boarding pass to their biometric profile for future travel.

How to Register:

• • Iberia App: Go to the “Private Area” in the app, provide personal data, take photos of your ID, scan its chip, and capture a photo of your face.
  • AENA App: Download the official app for the Spanish airport authority.
  • Airport Kiosks: Find designated kiosks within the airports.

The only requirements for facial recognition service registration are being over 18 and possessing a Spanish ID (DNI 3.0 with NFC technology) or an EU electronic passport.

At Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, six gates now feature facial recognition technology: J46, J50, J52, J54, J56, and J58. The airport also hosts two kiosks in the check-in area and four biometric gates at security checkpoints.

Similarly, at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, there is one biometric boarding gate (A02), two security checkpoint gates, and a check-in area kiosk.

The new system does not alter the traditional boarding group order. Passengers have the choice at the gate to use the conventional boarding method or the biometric gate, provided they have registered and linked their boarding pass to their biometric identity during check-in.

The biometric boarding service is currently available for iOS devices, with Android support expected to follow soon.

It’s important to note that despite the touchless boarding convenience, passengers must still carry their documentation as it may be required at any point during their journey.

The identity document photos are securely stored on AENA’s servers with encryption and are only accessible for the operation of this program.

Iberia biometric boarding advantages

• Speed and Convenience: The biggest draw is the increased speed and convenience for passengers. Less time is spent fumbling for documents.
• Contactless Experience: This aligns with the greater trend toward contactless travel experiences, which can be seen as more hygienic.
• Improved Security (Potentially): Facial recognition can potentially offer enhanced security through more accurate identification compared to a quick glance at a boarding pass.

Potential Concerns

• Privacy: People are understandably concerned about how their biometric data is collected, stored, and used. There are worries about surveillance and data breaches.
• Accuracy: Facial recognition systems can misidentify people, especially with factors like masks, aging, or varying lighting conditions.
• Inclusivity: Questions arise about whether the system is equally effective for people of all skin tones and backgrounds.