Arriving Soon: Touchless Technology and More
Pandemic accelerates innovation in air travel experience
By Jeff Martinelli
Published February 15, 2021
Read Time: 2 mins
From touchless boarding to facial-recognition security screening, touchless travel has been on the aviation industry’s horizon for some time. But the COVID-19 pandemic has forced airports to fast-track these technologies.
“Previously, it was a projected growth in travel, and the resulting need to maintain efficient security and boarding processes, that were driving touchless technology in the aviation sector,” said Dan Carness, Manager of Information Technology Business Applications for Pittsburgh International Airport.
“Things such as biometric and facial recognition, and a touchless boarding gate, were originally discussed as ways to improve the customer experience in relation to the ease of travel. These changes were going to happen regardless of COVID.”
From the outset of the pandemic in 2020, airports have responded in different ways to utilize technology to help combat the spread of the virus. For instance, Pittsburgh International recently installed a touchless, high-speed handwashing station between its two trains that transport passengers between terminals. It takes 12 seconds to get