United Launches Mobile App Passport Scanning

United Airlines has become the first U.S. airline to offer customers the ability to scan their passports to check in for international flights via their iOS and Android mobile devices.

United is offering customers the opportunity to use passport scanning functionality on the airline’s mobile app as the carrier completes testing.

Customers may access the passport scanning feature when checking in for international flights in the 24 hours before departure. After initiating the app’s check-in feature, customers will have the option of verifying their existing stored passport data or scanning their passport.

The app uses the mobile device’s camera feature to capture travellers’ passports, similar to a mobile banking deposit. Jumio Inc., a credentials management company, will then verify the passport for additional security. Once the verification process is complete, customers may obtain a boarding pass. Customers requiring additional travel documentation, such as visas, will continue to check in at the airport.

For more information, go to united.com.