Air France tries out biometric boarding cards
Biometric security is on the rise, as new possibilities to use it come into shape, from entrance access and USB card security to the lastest trick: biometric boarding cards, a new usage thought up by Air France. What are they testing? RFID-equipped smartcards which store passenger fingerprints to allow automated boarding, according to the Register.
How does the card do the trick? It is said to contain an encrypted version of forefinger and thumb prints for each passenger. It would be used dedicated gate, which checks the card, compares it to the passenger’s finger or thumb print and if it matches, it opens the gate. No clerk, no time wasted, all simple and easy.
This little baby can be re-used up to 500 times. It also has a barcode inserted into it, containing all the information a traditional paper boarding pass. Said passenger can check in online, insert their card into a dedicated machine withing the airport, get the flight info and seat number printed onto the card. According to Air France, getting such a card takes only a couple of minutes.The also claim once the information is transmitted to the card, it isn’t stored elsewhere, so your data is safe.
If you’re as impressed as I am and want a similar gadget, you have until the end of the year to become and AF frequent flier to be eligible for one. For a first hand experience, you’ll have to fly between Paris and Amsterdam. I think I’ll wait until they extend the program though!
