As airports continue to digitize the travel process, the latest development in modern airport technology, digital passports, could replace a century-old tradition. The New York Times (NYT) reports that on Nov. 12 Apple announced iOS users could now add passports to the Wallet app in their phones. What’s more, the new digital passport IDs are now considered an acceptable form of identification for domestic travel at 250 airports across the country. For international travel, however, physical passports are still required to be carried by all passengers.
As old travel conventions like passport stamping and manual immigration check-ins fade into the past, many may wonder if a completely digitized experience is the future of air travel. Google introduced digital passports for Android phones last year, and various states have introduced digitized driver’s licenses. These have included Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia and Puerto Rico.
For both Google and Apple, users must scan the security chip on the back of their passport and provide a current photo of themselves to verify their identity. According to Travel and Leisure, prospective digital passport users should make sure their phone is compatible with the digital ID ahead of travel. The Apple Wallet feature requires travelers to have an iPhone 8 or higher, equipped with iOS 16.5 or higher.
Though the new digitized process at airports leads to more seamless experiences for travelers, experts have voiced concern for personal privacy, which is compromised by digital processes like biometric data intake and digital identification. Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst at the ACLU told the NYT that digital identification documents could become “tantamount to a virtual ankle monitor for everybody.”
With airports across the U.S. undergoing changes, from requiring Real ID for domestic flights to changing rules around security measures, a new era of airline travel is on the way, one that departs from decades-long traditions and requirements.
While travelers may soon only be required to bring their phone to the airport for identification purposes, we still advise you keep your physical copies on you as well, at least for now!
Click here for the TSA list of Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs.
