- First Canadian airline to offer customers ability to use
facial recognition to board flights
- Experience faster, seamless boarding using Air Canada's
Digital ID
- Soon to be available at additional airports across
Canada
MONTREAL, Nov. 28,
2024 /CNW/ - The next evolution of Air Canada's
digital experience launches on December
3 with the expansion of the airline's Digital Identification
program as a boarding option for almost all of its domestic flights
at Vancouver International Airport
(YVR). Following a successful pilot project on select flights, Air
Canada and YVR are the first in Canada to invest in the technology and
equipment to modernize the Canadian airport travel experience by
offering 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. 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. We look forward
to expanding this technology to additional airports," said
Tom Stevens, Vice President,
Canadian Airports and Customer Experience Strategy at Air
Canada.
"Together with Air Canada, we are pleased to introduce digital
identification as part of the boarding process for domestic flights
at YVR. Digital identification will allow travelers to quickly and
securely verify their identity at key airport touchpoints – similar
to unlocking a smartphone or securing transactions," said
Tamara Vrooman, President and Chief
Executive Officer at Vancouver
International Airport (YVR). "This enhanced process will reduce
wait times and provide a more convenient and hassle-free
journey."
Why Enroll in Air Canada's Digital Identification
Program?
- New Convenience with Digital ID in the Air Canada app:
Building upon the 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 your 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 your identity while streamlining the boarding
process. Participation is entirely optional and based on your
consent, giving you full control over your 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.
How to enroll
Enrolling in Air Canada's Digital Identification program is
easy, quick and completed through the Air Canada app. For more
information and a step-by-step guide on how to enroll, visit Air
Canada's Digital Identification information page here.
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).
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag
carrier and a founding member of Star
Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation
network. Air Canada provides
scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in
Canada, the United States and Internationally on six
continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air
Canada's Aeroplan program is
Canada's premier travel loyalty
program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world's
largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an
extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners.
Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than
any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations
worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day
tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo,
provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of
destinations across six continents using Air Canada's passenger and
freighter aircraft. Air Canada's climate ambition includes a
long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by
2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada's TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX
in Canada and the OTCQX in the
US.
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