IATA global passenger survey highlights shift to mobile and biometrics

The air travel experience is becoming increasingly smartphone-led and digitally verified

The 2025 IATA Global Passenger Survey shows that travelers are now managing most of their journey via mobile devices and are increasingly willing to use biometric identification to speed airport processes. However, cybersecurity and data privacy remain essential to sustaining trust as digital adoption grows.

Key takeaways

• Smartphones now anchor the travel journey: Travelers use mobile devices for booking, payment, check-in, immigration, boarding, and baggage handling, with demand rising for expanded mobile functionality.
• Mobile booking continues to rise: Web app usage is growing, especially among younger travelers, while traditional website booking continues to decline.
• Digital wallets gaining share: Credit cards still dominate, but digital wallet and instant payment adoption is increasing steadily year over year.
• Biometric adoption is accelerating: Half of travelers have used biometrics during their airport journey, and satisfaction with the process is high.
• Willingness to share biometric data is conditional: 74% would share biometrics to skip document checks — but privacy remains a barrier for many until data protection is assured.

• Regional preferences vary widely:
  • Africa: High satisfaction but challenged by visa and border complexity.
  • Asia-Pacific: Most digitally advanced, fastest adoption of mobile and biometrics.
  • Europe: More traditional and cautious on data sharing.
  • North America: Prioritizes convenience but shows strong privacy concerns.
  • Latin America & Caribbean: Values personal service but open to biometrics.
  • Middle East: High digital engagement paired with strong airline and airport loyalty.

• Cybersecurity is pivotal: Continued trust in digital travel experiences depends on strong, visible data protection and secure digital identity systems.

Get the full report at IATA