Facial recognition technology is a fundamental component in streamlining travel experiences on the ground. Airlines are continuing to broaden their biometric offerings with the addition of facial recognition technology to provide greater convenience for passengers in addition to ensuring health and safety.

Japan’s two major airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, recently announced the introduction and expansion of Face Express—“a new approach to boarding procedures using facial recognition technology.” Passengers can use Face Express by registering a photo of their face at one of the registration points in the airport such as an automatic check-in machine. Then, passengers proceed through the standard boarding procedures—such as checking in luggage, moving through a security checkpoint and boarding through the gate—without needing to present a boarding ticket or passport. Face Express’s process allows for a seamless ground experience and reduces contact with objects and other people.

Tokyo Narita International Airport’s website features a visual step-by-step graphic for Face Express’s procedure.

Step 1: Automatic check-in kiosks crossmatch passport photographs with facial images and register that data.

Step 2: No need to show a boarding pass and passport after that point. Glide through baggage check-in, security screening and boarding with just your facial profile.

Step 3: Experience less congestion and reach your boarding gate with time to spare.

Face Express has also provided a video demonstrating the process.

All Nippon Airways, the largest airline in Japan, began integrating Face Express with its ground operations on July 19, 2021. All Nippon Airways will initially utilize Face Express on international flights out of Tokyo’s Narita International Airport starting with flights to Mexico City. Eventually, All Nippon Airways plans to expand usage of Face Express to Tokyo’s other major airport—Haneda Airport—along with other flights out of Narita International Airport.

“Over the past year, ANA has taken a number of steps to implement health and safety initiatives that increase convenience for passengers,” said Masaki Yokai, Senior Vice President overseeing the Operations Support Center at ANA, in a press release. “As we continue looking for new ways to improve the passenger experience, Face Express serves as a template for how we can harness the power of the latest innovative technology to help passengers travel safely.”

Japan Airlines, the other major international carrier in Japan, will now begin to fully implement Face Express’s technology for international flights following successful trials earlier this year. On July 19, 2021, Japan Airlines fully enacted Face Express’s facial recognition technology for international flights from Tokyo Narita International Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport.

Face Express is Japan Airlines’s latest initiative with biometric technologies. Japan Airlines already utilizes the VeriFLY health passport and the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Travel Pass to streamline its customers’ experience as well.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Roger Lu is an aviation enthusiast and analyst researching the implications of technology on global travel. He enjoys writing about how data is utilized in the context of aviation security and customer experience.

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