United Airlines Launches Mobile App Passport Scanning for Check-In

United Airlines passengers can now scan their passports to check-in for international flights via their iOS and Android mobile devices.

United is offering customers the opportunity to use passport scanning functionality on the airline’s mobile app as the carrier completes testing.

Customers can access the passport scanning feature when checking-in for international flights in the 24 hours before departure. After initiating the app’s check-in feature, customers will have the option of verifying their existing stored passport data or scanning their passport.

The app uses the mobile device’s camera feature to capture travelers’ passports, similar to a mobile banking deposit. Jumio Inc., a credentials management company, will then verify the passport for additional security. Once the verification process is complete, customers can obtain a boarding pass. Customers requiring additional travel documentation, such as visas, will continue to check-in at the airport.

“We are focused on building the most useful travel app in the industry for our customers,” said Scott Wilson, United’s vice president of merchandising and ecommerce. “The new passport scanning feature saves valuable time and provides customers with more options to control their travel experience.”