EasyJet passport scanning app to cut down check-in times

EasyJet passengers can now check-in for their flights by using an app that takes a picture of their passport, and could speed up check-in times for passengers.

The airline's app, available on iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets, eliminates the need for passengers to manually input details when registering their journeys. Passengers can simply scan in their passport details using the camera on their mobile device.

The new feature uses technology from credentials management company Jumio. The app has already been downloaded onto passengers' devices 10 million times so far.

EasyJet has declared it the first of its kind in Europe. A similar service has already been implemented by United Airlines.

"Our new mobile passport scanning function will save time for the millions of customers who use the app to input their travel documentation details. It's another example of innovating to make travel as easy as it is affordable with EasyJet," said James Millett, the company's head of digital.

"We've developed the new function in partnership with credentials management service Jumio to ensure details can be scanned in easily, safely and securely. Combined with our mobile boarding passes, customers can now check-in on their mobiles up to two hours before flights in 110 of the airports easyJet fly to across Europe."

Earlier this year, the airline launched a partnership with flightradar24 to track flights on the move, introduced a live update system to connect with travellers and was the first European airline to trial iBeacons.

The updated EasyJet app can be downloaded for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Rene Millman

Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.