Air Canada has launched a limited digital identification trial, becoming the first airline in Canada to offer customers facial recognition technology to confirm identification.
In a pilot project currently underway, Air Canada’s digital identification is now available for customers departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) when boarding select flights to Winnipeg, and for eligible customers entering the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Air Canada plans to expand digital identification options to select Canadian airports and Maple Leaf Lounges as part of its pilot project phase.
“Many of our customers already utilize digital credentials to simplify their daily activities such as unlocking mobile phones, entering workplaces, verifying identification during financial transactions and more,” said Craig Landry, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada. “We are very excited to now take a leadership position in Canada and test digital identification using facial recognition technology to validate customer identification quickly, securely and accurately at select airport touchpoints.
“Participation in digital identification is voluntary. Customers choosing to use digital identification will benefit from a simplified and seamless process at the gate and when entering our Maple Leaf Lounges,” Landry said
“Our government and Canadian airlines and airports are eager to move forward with innovative solutions and technologies to modernize the traveller journey in airports across the country, which would enable a more seamless and efficient air transportation system. Air Canada’s pilot project will speed up processes at YVR, and other airports where it’s established, while respecting robust privacy measures and security standards,” said Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.
“This project has great potential in making gate boarding easier and faster for Canadian passengers, while maintaining strong safety measures,” Alghabra said.
Customers eligible to utilize the Air Canada Café in Toronto and customers on select flights from Vancouver to Winnipeg will receive an invitation to use the digital identification option, and instructions on how to create their secure digital faceprint prior to arriving at the airport.
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. Likewise, customers may elect to continue scanning their boarding cards manually as they do now to enter the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson.
Digital identification is a single enrollment feature on the Air Canada app. Biometric data is encrypted and stored only on the customer’s mobile phone. Customers must provide additional consent for the data to be used day-of travel and will only be retained for up to 36 hours subject to Air Canada’s rigorous privacy and security standards. More information about digital identification is here.
Air Canada’s digital identification is strictly an optional, consent-based Air Canada program. It is not related to any government-sponsored program like NEXUS, Global Entry or US CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC).
Airport in winter. Karim Balaa/Unsplash Photo.
STORM COULD SNARL TRAVEL IN MIDWEST U.S.A. AND ONTARIO STARTING TOMORROW NIGHT
If you’ve got a flight to catch in the U.S. or in Southern Ontario tomorrow night or Thursday, you might want to pack your patience.
Forbes reports that, as of this morning (Tues. Feb. 21), winter storm warnings are in effect in the northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains states, while blizzard warnings are in effect in parts of Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.
The Weather Network has a Winter Storm Watch in effect for Toronto and says a winter storm is expected in southern Ontario late Wednesday, and into Thursday. Travellers can expect potentially heavy snowfall, as well as freezing rain and ice pellets in some areas.
The Weather Network’s Toronto forecast calls for light snow Wednesday morning, but then much larger amounts beginning in the mid-to-late afternoon, with perhaps 10 cm’s of snow in the city. The snow will be followed by rain and temperatures around -4 to -5 Celsius, which will likely impact road travel and perhaps airport operations.
Forbes said AccuWeather forecasters expect that heavy snow and freezing rain could cause major travel disruptions between Tuesday and Thursday, potentially leading to canceled or delayed flights throughout the northern Midwest.”
Fifty flights have been cancelled at the Minneapolis airport so far today, where forecasters are expecting up to 18 inches of snow. Icy conditions also are expected in the next couple days in Milwaukee and Detroit, as well as areas north of Boston.
Support for Ukraine. Clay Banks/Unsplash Photo
FLAIR AIRLINES DONATES 400 FLIGHT VOUCHERS FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
Flair Airlines today announced it has donated 400 flight vouchers to help Ukrainian refugees with their travel in Canada. The donation was facilitated by the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance – Alliance Canadienne du secteur de l’établissement des immigrants (CISSA-ACSEI), a convening body representing the immigrant settlement sector in Canada.
Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Canada from Europe through charter or schedule airline flights. However, their port of entry may be some distance from family, friends and loved ones who can help them resettle in Canada. The program facilitates follow-on flights within Canada to support reunification with these communities.
The 400 one-way vouchers are valid for travel to Flair’s Canadian destinations. Baggage, fees, and taxes are also included. The vouchers will be provided to Ukrainian refugees upon arrival in Canada.
“Flair Airlines is pleased to help Ukrainian refugees with these complimentary flights, reuniting them with family and friends in cities across Canada on our network,” said Stephen Jones, President and CEO of Flair Airlines. “We believe they will find a warm welcome, safety and well-being, and good opportunities for them and their families in these Canadian communities.”
“We are thrilled that Flair Airlines has offered 400 gift of flight vouchers,” said Chris Friesen, Interim co-Executive Director, CISSA-ACSEI. “This act of generosity will help displaced Ukrainians reach their final destinations and start their new lives in Canada. This contribution will make a meaningful impact in the lives of the newcomers we serve.”
Airline passengers. Hanson Lu/Unsplash Photo
UNITED AIRLINES INTRODUCES NEW FAMILY SEATING POLICY
United Airlines has a new seat map feature that will help families with children under 12 find seats together free of charge, CNN reports.
The feature will include Basic Economy tickets, but not Premium Economy class or higher. The network said the new seat map system “will dynamically find available adjacent Economy seats at the time of booking and open up complimentary upgrades to other available seats as needed.”
The airline also won’t charge customers a fare difference if they switch to a flight to the same destination that has adjacent seats, CNBC states.
U.S. President Joe Biden recently slammed U.S. airlines for charging families to sit together on a plane.
