United Airlines adds passport scanning to iOS, Android apps for international flights

By Les Shu August 7, 2014

united airlines adds passport scanning ios android apps international flights mobile checkin — Image used with permission by copyright holder

United Airlines is making the check-in process a bit easier for customers on international flights. The carrier says it is the first U.S. airline to offer passport scanning through its iOS and Android apps

Mobile check-in and boarding passes aren’t new for United (it launched mobile boarding passes in 2007), but the option was only available to domestic fliers; international passengers still had to check in the old-fashioned way, and that could mean waiting in long lines. The new feature now allows you check-in 24 hours in advance, and head straight to baggage drop-off or straight to security.

Here’s how it works: When you check-in for an international flight, the app will verify either stored passport data, or you can scan your passport via your smartphone camera. United says the process is similar to check scanning in banking apps. The scanned data is sent to a third-party verification agency for security purposes. Once you’re cleared, a boarding pass will appear.

Related: United Airlines to launch free in-flight video streaming service, but for iOS only

Unfortunately, passengers requiring additional document checks, such as visas, will still need to see a ticketing agent. Also, scanning your passport doesn’t mean you won’t need to carry a physical passport; you’ll still need it while traveling and going through security.

You’ll still have to deal with frustratingly long security lines, bad food, and overcrowded gate areas as you make your way through the airport, but for those who enjoy using mobile apps to check-in to their flights, this new feature could help alleviate some of the headache. If the trial is successful, don’t be surprised if other airlines follow suit.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Now Boarding

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…

Mobile

The best scanner apps for Android and iOS

scanner apps

Smartphones are the most versatile computers that we own. A lot of the work that we used to do with our laptops we can now do with a smartphone. One of the things that some of us need to do on a daily basis is to scan documents. Have you ever had to keep track of receipts or bank checks? Maybe you need to have copies of your passport or ID, or you need to put a PDF together with multiple pages. Well, you’re in luck! You don’t need a laptop to do any of that. You would be surprised at the amount of work and productivity that you can squeeze out of a smartphone with the right apps.

We put together a list of what we consider to be the best document scanner apps available for iOS and Android.

Mobile

How to stop apps from tracking your location in Android and iOS

Location tracking on Android and iOS

Do you feel like someone is always watching you and tracking where you are? If you do, then you are probably correct. Apps on your smartphone often include tracking that follows what you do and where you go.

If you want a bit more privacy, there is a way to turn off tracking. We'll help you find out who is tracking you and how to put an end to it for both Android and iPhone devices.

Mobile

The best astronomy apps for iOS and Android

These days, backyard stargazers use smartphone and tablet apps instead of telescopes to discover a wealth of information on the location and identity of planets, stars, and galaxies. Mobile apps can present a vast amount of information about what's happening overhead, regardless of time or place. That's because the best astronomy apps use the gyroscope and compass in your smartphone or tablet, along with date, time, and location services.

Best of all, if you're in the wilderness, far from a Wi-Fi or cell connection, you can still get the celestial information you need from astronomy apps. Some use augmented reality (AR) through the device’s camera to show you exactly where stars are positioned. Most apps are extremely easy to use and targeted to beginners and enthusiasts -- just point your device’s camera toward the heavens and find the stars and constellations.