Online travel agency Trip.com has announced a pilot for an initiative to investigate how travelers could use digital identities stored in mobile wallets such as Google Wallet and Apple Wallet to autofill their booking details during the booking journey, reducing friction and minimizing errors.
The pilot, conducted in collaboration with IATA as part of the data and technology strategic partnership program, was announced at its Airline Global Conference in Amsterdam today.
Air Canada, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways, as well as digital identity infrastructure platform Hopae, are expected to be involved in the pilot. U.S. and U.K. users of Trip.com are expected to be involved in any future rollout.
“It represents one of the early implementations of digital identity technology within the online travel sector and reflects the broader industry shift toward more seamless, end-to-end journeys," the OTA said. "Such an innovation in digital identity can significantly simplify travel booking experiences by enabling travelers to share information with a single click, unlocking a new generation of more streamlined, efficient travel services.”
“Trip is part of a proof of concept (PoC). We work very closely with IATA to make sure that we help smooth out the user experience. Digital ID make things seamless and if the industry can get into this method, it really removes a lot of friction,” CT Ooi, Trip.com’s global head of flight business, told Phocuswire.
“Digital identity is a key enabler of a more seamless travel experience," said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president, operations, safety and security.
"Through this pilot with Trip.com, we are exploring how secure, wallet-based credentials can simplify the booking process, reduce errors and give travelers greater control over their data. It is an important step toward delivering more efficient, end-to-end digital journeys across the travel ecosystem,” Careen said.
The move to digital ID is a clear focus for many airlines.
During a session focused on the green traveler, when asked about what travel experience would not be around in 20 years' time, Edward Fotheringham, VP of sales and distribution at Scandinavian Airlines, said a digital identity to replace a passport would remove the need to use paper and cut down trees.
The conference, held in Amsterdam to underscore the group’s “commitment to expanding its presence in Europe”, welcomed around 70 airline partners, as well as airports, IATA, GDSs and tech providers.
In 2024, IATA carried out a PoC pilot involving two passengers using different digital wallets and travel credentials on a round-trip between Hong Kong and Tokyo. The pilot involved Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong and Narita airports and a range of technology partners.
In the PoC, two travelers used digital wallets containing their digital passport, company ID and frequent flyer credentials to obtain personalized offers, book a flight, obtain a visa, check their travel documentation, check-in and receive boarding passes.
The travelers used biometric identification to manage airport processes in a live environment without repeatedly showing their travel documents. The successful journey integrated seven verifiable credentials (ePassport copy, live biometric image, visa copy, company ID, frequent flyer membership, order and boarding pass), two digital wallets and a trust registry to verify issuers.
IATA’s director for airport infrastructure and customer experience Harry Grewal said that the organization is looking at establishing a new PoC for digital ID in China, the world’s largest aviation market. He said the trial would move on from the 2024 pilot, which focused on a single airline, and would cover multiple airlines as well as border authorities.