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Airlines and airports have been making steady steps towards a more seamless passenger journey in recent years.
Long queues at security and passport control remain a frustration for business travellers however, exacerbated by the pandemic and the need to show additional documentation.
Technology is helping to solve some of the issues through digital health passes and proof of vaccination as well as offer a smoother process through queue management systems.
Research from air transport technology specialist SITA last year revealed airlines planned to prioritise mobile services for passengers in their technology investment.
Recent announcements from across the pond include the ability to sign up for a “fast track” slot at several airports following partnerships between the Transport Security Administration and airport operators.
Secure identity company Clear has just announced its acquisition of Whyline, a virtual queuing and appointment technology.
Clear plans to use the combined technologies to provide people with more control over “day-to-day experiences.”
Whyline already has partnerships with several airports including Los Angeles World Airports and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Its technology enables users to view live wait times, enter a queue remotely or book an appointment.
Caryn Seidman-Becker, CEO of Clear, says: “Whyline and Clear share a common mission: to create a better, frictionless future. Over the past five years, the Whyline team has built impressive technology that is helping change our day-to-day lives and routines for the better. With this acquisition, we’re helping people and partners spend less time waiting and more time doing what matters most to them.”
Through the acquisition, Clear and Whyline plan to expand virtual queuing in existing industries such as airports as well as bring the technology to new industries.
More widely, airports are already addressing the queuing frustrations by partnering with other technology specialists such as Veovo and VHT.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport partnership with VHT saw security wait times reduced to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, Cinncinati Northern Kentucky International Airport announced last October that it had adopted Veovo’s Curb-to-Flight passenger management technology.
The system will help the airport improve its understanding of how passengers move beyond security and in other areas of the terminal.
In November, Gatwick Airport said it was adopting Veovo’s Passenger Predictability solution to provide a real-time view of passenger movement in its security areas.
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