Major airline ditches boarding passes for facial recognition – flies to 5 UK airports

A major airline has announced plans to implement facial recognition for passengers flying from one major airport, negating the need for boarding passes. The new face ID system has launched at Qatar’s main airport, which allows passengers to use their faces as boarding passes when boarding a Qatar Airways flight. The new system, coined the ‘Fast Pass’, is being implemented at Hamad International Airport in Doha, and it uses biometric verification to allow passengers to self-board and pass through airport security gates, as well as the self-service bag drop.

There are two ways to activate it, either on the Qatar Airways app after checking in and ahead of travelling to the airport, or at self-service kiosks at Hamad International. It is not the first airline to do this, as Emirates launched its own biometric check-in in Dubai in November 2025. Travel experts have said that systems like this could become more common, making airport experiences more convenient for travellers.

The technology captures a passenger’s face and links it to their passport and boarding pass. A secure digital identity is then created, allowing the traveller to scan their face at biometric cameras at self-service bag drop, airport security gates and boarding gates.

And once you have registered your Fast Pass, you don’t need to do it again. Qatar says that if a passenger’s flight is eligible, they will be prompted to register once they check in through the app or self-service kiosks.

Participation is optional, meaning that passengers can still use a physical or mobile boarding pass if they want to. Meanwhile, participants must be aged 18 or over.

Qatar currently operates flights to and from Edinburgh, Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Manchester.

It says it plans to look into partnering with other airlines in the future to roll out the technology for more passengers.

The 2025 IATA Global Passenger survey revealed that half of passengers have used biometrics at some point in their airport journey, with 85% of them reporting high levels of satisfaction.

Additionally, 74% said they would be willing to share their biometric information if it means they can skip showing a passport or boarding pass at checkpoints like check-in, security, border control, and boarding.