Qantas trials new passport free technology in Brisbane

Hand holding passport with airplane ticket on plane window sunny background

Qantas is trialling some pretty swish new technology at Brisbane airport, allowing customers to upload their passport to their mobile phone for the first time.

The airline has partnered up with Brisbane Airport and technology provider SITA to trial facial recognition technology that allows customers to check in before they arrive at the airport and eliminates the need to provide their passport and boarding pass at the lounge or boarding gate.

The trial began earlier this week and will run until early December, providing passenger feedback which the airline will use to prioritise future biometrics trials and investments.

“Customers have told us that they want to move seamlessly through the airport without having to present travel documents at every stage of their airport experience,” Qantas Head of Product Strategy and Development, Phil Capps said.

“What’s unique about this technology is it allows customers to securely store their passport details on their mobile phone which is matched to their face via cameras while moving through the airport.”

The new tech is opt-in and will only be available on select flights from Brisbane to Singapore, Tokyo (Narita) and Hong Kong.

To use the new feature, passengers have to register on their Android device, download the Qantas Facial Recognition App from the play store and upload their passport details.

Then, once they are passing through the airport to the lounge or at the boarding gate, their passport data is matched to their face via cameras, eliminating the need to show their boarding pass or passport.

Passengers without bags will be able to proceed directly to immigration and avoid going to the check-in desks or kiosks in the terminal.

“Digital recognition certainly has its advantages, but it will never replace the customer service that our team are renowned for and there will always be Qantas staff on hand to assist,” Capps said.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]