Key Trends in Air Travel: Mobile Reliance and Biometric Adoption
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the findings of its 2025 Global Passenger Survey (GPS), which highlights several significant trends shaping the modern air travel experience. Among these, the increasing reliance on mobile technology and the growing adoption of biometric systems stand out as major influences on how passengers interact with airlines and airports.
According to the GPS, a majority of travelers are now using smartphones for various aspects of their journey. These include booking flights, managing payments and loyalty programs, and handling check-in, immigration, boarding, and baggage processes. The survey indicates that 54% of travelers prefer to deal directly with airlines, often through mobile apps. While airline websites remain the most popular booking method at 31%, web apps have gained traction, with 19% of travelers favoring them. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger travelers, with 25% opting for mobile options, suggesting that this shift is likely to intensify in the coming years.
Payment preferences are also evolving. The use of digital wallets has increased significantly from 20% in 2024 to 28% in 2025. Similarly, the adoption of instant payment methods has risen from 6% in 2024 to 8% in 2025. Despite this growth, credit and debit cards continue to dominate, with 72% of travelers still relying on them for transactions.
Another notable finding is the strong demand for a smartphone that can combine a digital wallet, digital passport, and loyalty cards. An impressive 78% of travelers expressed interest in such a device for booking, paying, and navigating airport processes. Additionally, the use of electronic bag tags has increased from 28% in 2024 to 35% in 2025, allowing passengers to generate their bag tags directly from a mobile device during check-in.
Biometrics: A Growing Presence in Airports
The use of biometrics at airports is expanding rapidly, with 50% of travelers reporting its use. This is most commonly seen at security checkpoints, exit immigration, and entry immigration. Of those who have used biometric systems, 85% reported high levels of satisfaction. Furthermore, 74% of travelers said they would be willing to share their biometric information if it meant they could skip showing a passport or boarding pass at checkpoints like check-in, security, border control, and boarding.
However, privacy concerns persist. Approximately 42% of passengers are currently unwilling to share their biometric data, though many would reconsider if data privacy were assured.
Regional Differences in Passenger Preferences
The GPS also revealed distinct regional differences in traveler preferences. In Africa, passengers place a high value on human contact and are more likely to book through airline offices or call centers. Their satisfaction levels are globally ranked second. However, challenges such as visa and immigration complexity remain significant barriers.
In the Asia-Pacific region, travelers are considered the most digitally savvy, with the highest satisfaction levels. They lead in using mobile apps and digital wallets for booking and payment, and are the least likely to use credit cards. Despite being among the most frequent users of biometrics, their satisfaction with these experiences is the lowest.
European passengers tend to be more traditional and cautious, preferring to book directly through airline websites and pay by credit or debit cards. They are the least likely to have used biometrics in the past year and remain hesitant to share data or replace travel documents with digital identification. Despite this, they rank as the fourth most satisfied travelers globally.
North American travelers prioritize convenience, choosing flights based on total journey time, fewer layovers, and relying heavily on airline websites for booking. However, they are among the least satisfied travelers globally, ranking second last across all regions. Efficiency and trust in data security are top priorities for this region.
Latin America and the Caribbean travelers are the least satisfied globally. They value personal interaction when booking and prefer to pay with credit or debit cards. They are more likely to obtain visas from a consulate or embassy. While they use biometrics less frequently, they show a strong willingness to adopt the technology and report high satisfaction when they do.
Middle Eastern passengers favor airports with strong service reputations and their preferred airlines. They are highly digitally engaged, with widespread use of digital wallets and strong enthusiasm for smartphone-based travel credentials. They are among the most satisfied travelers globally, ranking third overall.