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TSA Expands Paperless Boarding Pass Pilot Program to Additional Airports and Airlines

Innovation & Technology

August 22, 2008

In an effort to reduce the vulnerability associated with fraudulent boarding passes, TSA initially partnered with Continental Airlines to create paperless boarding passes displayed on passengers' cell phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs). Paperless boarding passes contain a hi-tech two-dimensional (2-D) barcode encrypted with specific passenger information, such as the traveler's name and flight information. Rather than the traditional vertical barcode that most people are familiar with, the two-dimensional barcode is a rectangle of black and white squares resembling the static "snow" on an unreceptive television.

How It Works

At the checkpoint, passengers present their cell phones or PDA with the encrypted 2-D barcode to a TSA travel document checking officer. The officer will scan the barcode using a handheld device to verify its authenticity. Passengers will still be required to show photo identification so officers can validate that the name on the boarding pass matches that on the ID. The complexity of the two-dimensional barcode creates an additional layer of security because it cannot be altered without being discovered upon scanning at the checkpoint.

Partnership & Innovation

TSA and Continental Airlines worked hand-in-hand to turn the idea of a paperless boarding pass into a reality. Continental was supportive of this effort for some time, and worked with TSA to develop the two-dimensional barcode, which the International Air Transport Association (IATA) plans to require all airlines to use on their boarding passes by the end of 2010.

Expansion of the Paperless Boarding Pass

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Continental Airlines launched the Paperless Boarding Pass pilot program at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport in November 2007. It has since been extended to additional airports including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Logan International Airport (BOS). Most recently it launched at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and San Antonio International Airport (SAT) in August.

The pilot has been extended to additional airlines as well. Northwest Airlines has extended the use of the paperless boarding pass to the Indianapolis International Airport and Delta has launched the new technology at La Guardia Airport (LGA) in New York.