iata international travel document

What is the IATA Travel Pass and do I need it to travel?

Oct 26, 2021 • 5 min read

The IATA Travel Pass is one of a variety of “health credential” services © BlackCAT / Getty Images

For most international travel, you’ll have to provide proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test or proof you’ve recovered from the virus in order to cross borders.

With many travelers and airlines looking for a simple way to store this information digitally, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Travel Pass health information checking service is being rolled out by more and more airlines, and so are its competitors like CommonPass and VeriFLY. They’re not vaccination passports, so what are they, how do they work, who’s behind them—and should you use them? 

What is the IATA Travel Pass? 

The IATA Travel Pass is one of a variety of “health credential” services that some airlines are using to help them check the validity of the proof you send them of your COVID-19 status—whether that’s your vaccination, a recent test, recovery from the disease, or a combination of all three.

Read more:  What is a vaccine passport and do I need one to travel?

It’s essentially an app on your phone where you take pictures of your vaccination records, a recent test or the proof you’ve recovered from COVID-19 within a certain time frame specified by the government of wherever you’re traveling to (and sometimes from). These are then checked and your airline is given either a green light or a red light for you to travel, according to the government travel rules of your destination country.

Dozens of airlines are trialling or using it—and other providers’ passes—to help them process your documentation, ideally well before you get to the airport. This helps them reduce queues and the cost of having staff members check your documents in person.

It’s different to the national or regional health pass wallets, like France’s TousAntiCovid , New York’s Excelsior Pass or the UK’s NHS COVID Pass . However, in the future, there may be links between them.

Other passes exist, with CommonPass and VeriFLY also in relatively wide use. Bear in mind that airlines may be trialling multiple pass options on different routes, so check any emails carefully and have a look at their website to confirm which you can use. 

How do they work?

You take pictures of your documentation or upload an existing picture, depending on the functionality of the various apps. This is then processed by the app provider’s staff—whether the IATA Travel Pass, CommonPass, VeriFLY or whatever—who confirm whether your documentation is valid.

It can be a bit of a logistical humdinger to need to take a picture of the everyday vaccination pass or test result that lives in one app on your phone with another app on your phone. Keeping paper copies of your vaccination certificates and test results can be very helpful, but in a pinch you can always find a friend to send them to, and then take a picture of their phone.

Once the processing is done, which usually is a matter of minutes or hours, you essentially get a green light that you’re good to go, or a red light that means you can’t travel until you’ve fixed a problem.

That might be because: you’re vaccinated with a vaccine not recognised in your destination; you sent in the wrong type of test (antigen not PCR, say); your test wasn’t taken recently enough (perhaps it was taken 49 hours before you are supposed to travel, but your destination requires it to be less than 48); or simply that they weren’t able to read your documents. 

Read more: PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know 

Do keep an eye out for this—getting another vaccination isn’t exactly a fixable problem, but getting another test might not be the end of the world.

Who runs these passes?

IATA’s travel pass is run by an airline trade industry group, the International Air Transport Association , which is sort of a Better Business Bureau for airlines. Remember, IATA is not a governmental or intergovernmental body, it’s an airline association.

CommonPass is run by a non-profit public trust with links to the World Economic Forum (sometimes referred to as Davos, after the location of its annual meeting) and the Rockefeller Foundation.  VeriFLY , meanwhile, is a product of biometric authentication software business Daon . Airlines are essentially outsourcing the verification to these apps, but in some cases, airlines are requesting that you upload the relevant information to them directly.

If you’re concerned about what happens to your data, that’s certainly a valid concern. As one example, British Airways uses VeriFLY for all flights into the UK. But its small print says: “The VeriFLY App is completely independent of British Airways and you are submitting your information directly to Daon (acting as the data controller), please check Daon’s privacy policy and terms and conditions.” However, it’s worth reading the fine print on VeriFLY to fully understand how your data will be used. 

Where will I use a travel pass, is it mandatory, and should I use it?

A growing number of airlines are using them, so you’re likely to be seeing them the next time you take an international flight. 

At present, they’re usually not fully required, but you can expect to receive multiple emails encouraging you to use them. You may also start seeing fast-track queues for people who have taken the time to enter their data. After all, it will take less time for an expert on these processes to check your documents remotely a day in advance than for a stressed check-in agent to try to figure out whether your vaccination certificate is valid or not.

So should you use it? Well, if you have privacy concerns, those seem valid—this technology has been developed pretty quickly, and it’s worth reading the privacy policies of the app should you have any reservations.

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

Read more:  What is a vaccine passport and do I need one to travel? PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know What do I do if my flight gets cancelled - and can I get a refund?

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Timatic by IATA: Travel Requirements Database, Explained

• Last updated: 29 Nov, 2022
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What is Timatic?

• passport requirements and recommendations,
• visa requirements and recommendations,
• health requirements and recommendations,
• airport tax information,
• customs regulations concerning the import and export of goods and small pets,
• currency regulations, and
• news on regulation changes

What IATA Timatic database covers

Timatic for check-in

Timatic for booking, timatic mainframe: a standard source of travel requirements data.

Here, an agent can learn what forms and registrations are needed for specific passengers to travel

Timatic API: Beneficial solution for large, tech-savvy travel businesses

Get to know more about API in 8 minutes

Travel Information Manual (TIM): for those who prefer paper to digital

Timaticweb 2: web access and page customization.

A passenger information form for travel agents, Source: I ATA TimaticWeb2

United uses a form with minimum fields, making the experience easy for its customers

Timatic Mobile: Document scanning in an airport

TimaticMobile requires no training and minimal operational expenses, Source: AppAdvice

Timatic Widget: Helping travel websites improve conversion rate

How Timatic widget shows travel requirements for visiting Portugal, Source: Timatic

TravelDoc: Timatic alternative

The future of travel document check, facial recognition technologies in airports.

Facial recognition screening at airport in Virginia, Source: NYT

IATA One ID: confirm your identity long before the actual trip

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International travel

Prepare for your trip

International travel doesn’t have to be tricky – just follow these steps to help you prepare for your trip.

We recommend you:

• Check if your destination has travel restrictions and entry requirements
• Come prepared with travel documents and required paperwork
• Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time
• Documents and requirements you need to travel Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travel and health restrictions by destination Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travel often?

If you travel often, skip the paperwork and lines with:

• Global Entry
• TSA PreCheck
• Mobile Passport Control Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travel documents and requirements

You’re responsible to make sure you have the correct documents to enter and pass through any countries during your trip, and then make your way back home. If you don’t have the required documentation and identification, you will not be allowed to board the plane and would be responsible for any resulting costs.

Keep in mind:

• Everyone traveling, regardless of age, needs their own set of travel documents.
• Always use the information exactly as it appears on your passport (to book and fill out any documents).
• Check with the consulate of every country you’re entering (or passing through) to make sure you meet all travel requirements.
• Some countries require proof of return or onward travel, a visiting address and sufficient funds for your stay.

All children, regardless of age, must have a passport and any travel documents required by the countries visited. If you’re traveling internationally with anyone under 18, you may be required to show documentary evidence of your relationship and a Letter of Consent or permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.

Traveling with children

A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel.

• Some countries require your passport to be issued at least 6 months before the day you arrive. Check your destination’s requirements if you’re unsure.
• Passports must be kept in good condition, free of any damage beyond normal wear and tear, and material alterations. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.

U.S. citizens can use any government-issued form of identification to travel between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

More information on U.S. passports Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

In addition to a passport, some countries require a visa to enter. If you’re traveling to the U.S. for a stay less than 90 days, the Department of Homeland Security requires eligible travelers to use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), as part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You must submit your application no later than 72 hours before departing for the U.S., but we suggest you apply for authorization when you start planning your trip. You will be denied boarding if you arrive at the airport without an approved ESTA.

An approved ESTA travel authorization is:

• Valid for up to 2 years or your passport expires, whichever comes first
• Valid for multiple entries into the U.S.
• Not a guarantee of admissibility to the U.S., approval only authorizes you to board a carrier for travel to the U.S.

To enter the U.S. under the VWP, each passenger must have a machine-readable passport. If you don’t have a machine-readable zone, a valid visa is required.

Each passenger traveling to the U.S. under the VWP must have a:

• Valid electronic (e-Passport) with this symbol on the passport cover

If you present a non-electronic passport, a valid U.S. visa will be required or you’ll be denied boarding and entry into the U.S.

Apply for the Visa Waiver Program Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Contact tracing for flights to the U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers flying to the United States to provide their contact information within 72 hours of departure. This information may be used by public health officials to follow up with passengers who may have been exposed to a contagious disease during travel.

• Read more information about the CDC contact tracing requirement Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.
• Submit your contact tracing information

Additional requirements

Some countries have additional requirements for travel, so we recommend that you check the U.S. Department of State website for the latest information and sign up for their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

U.S. Department of State Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Travelers flying to Australia from certain countries, including the U.S., will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entry.

Apply for Australia ETA Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Brazil has postponed requiring an eVisa for U.S., Canadian and Australian citizens until April 2025.

All visa-exempt foreign travelers who fly to, or transit through Canada now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The authorization is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport and is valid for 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian visa are exempt from this eTA requirement.

Learn how to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Under the VWP, Nationals of Chile traveling to the U.S. are required to have an E-passport in addition to a machine-readable passport.

All travelers entering Cuba will need to prepare additional information including a visa and health insurance.

Travel to Cuba

Travelers flying to Curaçao will need to complete a digital embarkation/disembarkation card (ED Card) prior to their trip.

Complete digital ED Card Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

If you are a permanent resident of Australia or travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country, you'll need an New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Some visitors and transit passengers can travel to New Zealand without a visa if they get an NZeTA before their trip.

Request an NZeTA Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Customers traveling to or from Peru with amounts of cash exceeding $10,000 USD or its equivalent in local or foreign currency are legally responsible for declaring such amount at airport controls to avoid sanctions and up to the confiscation of the undeclared amount, as per Article 4 of Supreme Decree 195-2013-EF.

Additionally, it is prohibited entering or leaving the country with amounts over $30,000 USD or its equivalent in local or foreign currency.

Health and testing requirements

To travel, vaccinations may be required depending on where you’re traveling to and from.

Travel information from the CDC Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

• You must declare all personal medication on your arrival card.
• You must carry medical documentation to defend use of the medication.
• If you need to use syringe during your flight, you will also need a doctor's letter proving there's a medical reason to use it onboard.
• If you don't have proper documentation the medications may be confiscated.

When traveling to Nicaragua, a Yellow Fever shot will be required if you departed from or connected through any of these countries in the last 30 days:

• French Guiana
• Any country in Africa

Chemical sprays on international flights

Flights to and from certain countries require insecticide treatment (a process known as disinsection) inside the cabin for insect and disease control. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides full information about the spray and the countries required to use it.

Aircraft disinsection requirements Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Your checked and carry-on bags may be sprayed or misted with a solution upon arrival due to local health protocols for virus and disease control. This action is performed by local authorities and not American Airlines.

Tax exemptions

You may be entitled to a refund of some taxes included in the price of your ticket if you meet the applicable criteria for exemptions and your itinerary involves:

• Travel between the U.S. and Mexico (including travel between Canada and Mexico via the U.S.)
• International travel departing Belize, Colombia or Trinidad and Tobago
• International travel arriving into Colombia

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Learn about regulations and procedures that apply to all travelers that enter or depart the United States.

Travel tips Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

To enhance border security, passenger information will be passed through the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system and sent to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to review passenger information before the flight arrives.

• All international flights arriving and departing the U.S. are required by law to provide API data.
• API data for American Airlines/American Eagle flights is also transmitted to Customs and Immigration agencies in other countries where required by law.
• The information sharing is mandatory as part of the U.S. Aviation and Transportation Security Act.

All visitors to the U.S., except nationals of Canada, will have their photograph and fingerprints taken, and will automatically be registered under the Visit the U.S. program when they pass through Customs and Border Protection.

Learn about the Visit the U.S. program Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Secure Flight Passenger Data is basic personal information the TSA requires for you to travel. The information is collected during booking or ticketing.

TSA Secure Flight

Flying on one of our partners?

Finnair travel information Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Delta FlyReady, Resources for International Travel Documentation, and Regional Travel Requirements    Updated 05 February 2024

Contact tracing, international travel documentation, delta flyready sm, regional travel requirements on delta.com.

As our mutual customers begin to plan for future business or leisure travel, they often have questions regarding travel restrictions, entry requirements, required documentation or health requirements. Delta is committed to providing the information our mutual customers need to prepare for a safe and secure trip.

All passengers, regardless of citizenship, will need to consent to  Contact Tracing  . Delta will collect this information for its passengers on behalf of the CDC at check-in.    

Delta FlyReady SM  is our digital tool that helps customers verify that they’ve met their destination’s passport and visa requirements prior to travel. Delta FlyReady is currently available to customers traveling between the U.S. and select international destinations as well as for customers traveling from select international destinations to the U.S.

Customers will be able to use Delta FlyReady to complete their contact tracing information – a key entry requirement imposed by the U.S. government for travelers entering the U.S.

Delta FlyReady is accessible via MyTrips on delta.com and the FlyDelta app. In addition, customers will receive additional guidance via email and SMS prior to departure directing them to the tool. Click  here   to learn more about Delta FlyReady.

Note: Customers using Delta FlyReady should still bring paper copies of their required documentation with them on the day of travel per requirements in place at certain destinations. Delta FlyReady status is not accepted in lieu of other government-required documentation Delta FlyReady is available on Delta-operated and marketed flights. Itineraries with connections through the U.S. onto another international destination are not yet Delta FlyReady-eligible.

Additional Resources & Sources of Information

• Delta.com Travel Planning Center 
• Delta Discover Map 

Documentation and entry requirements are different for every country. Prior to travel, Delta recommends that travel professionals check the  passport, visa & health travel document requirements for each country.

A passport is required for all international travel. A passport is required to board an international flight and to enter any country. In general, a passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry into a foreign country. Visit the U. S. State Department's  website for information on obtaining first time passports, passport renewals, second passport issuance and extra blank pages for an existing passport. 

A travel visa is required to enter many countries. For information regarding countries that require a visa, visit TravelCentre for more information.

Advanced Passenger Information (API) 

To enhance border security, electronic transmission of passenger information through the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system has been mandated with the U.S. Aviation and Transportation Security Act. All passengers entering/departing the U.S. by air are required to have this information transmitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), allowing U.S. CBP to review all passenger data in advance of the flight's arrival. All international flights arriving and departing the U.S. are required by law to provide API data. API data is also transmitted to Customs and Immigration Officials in all other countries when required by law.

U.S. Entry/Exit Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens

Visa Waiver Program

• The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requires travelers to submit an online request for travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States. This allows visitors from participating countries to get speedy approval for travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure for 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. For more information, visit the travel.state.gov website .

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Visa Waiver Program Travelers

• For travel to or connecting through the U.S., the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) nationals to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding. This authorization is known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA.  To begin your ESTA application now, visit the Department of Homeland Security website.
• Nationals of a Visa Waiver country may be able to submit an online request at CIBTvisas.com for travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This allows visitors from participating countries to get speedy approval for travel to the United States for business or pleasure for 90 days or less.
• To begin an ESTA application, visit  the  Department of Homeland Security  website.

Arrive Healthy, Leave Healthy

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention gives you comprehensive health information for specific destinations, required vaccinations, information for travelers with special needs and timely updates about other health news.

Additional information regarding entry and exit requirements for non-US citizen is available via delta.com .

Passport Requirements for Western Hemisphere Travel (WHTI)

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or depart the United States from within the Western Hemisphere.

Global Entry

Global Entry is a program developed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to expedite entry into the U.S. for low-risk, pre-screened international travelers. Upon arriving in the U.S., members proceed directly to the automated Global Entry kiosk — bypassing passport control lines and paper customs declarations.

Global Entry is now available at over 40 major U.S. airports. For a complete list of locations you can visit the Global Entry website .

A non-refundable application fee of $100 per applicant will be charged at the time of application. If approved, membership is valid for five years. Here's how the application/approval process works:

1.       Complete an application online and pay the non-refundable application fee

2.       If conditionally approved after review, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will follow up to schedule an interview at an in-airport enrollment center. Alternatively you may complete your interview on your next international arrival at selected airports. For a list of approved locations visit Global Entry on Arrival .

3.       Participate in the in-person interview during which a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will review the application and verify identification documents and eligibility.

4.       If approved, the officer will take the member’s photo, obtain fingerprint information, and introduce the new member to the program.

For more information, visit www.globalentry.gov

Please visit delta.com for additional important information about international travel.

Other Useful Links

• Entry/Documentation Requirements for Foreign Travel, List of Embassies  www.travel.state.gov

Delta updates  Regional Travel Requirements   on delta.com daily, to ensure customers are aware of any restrictions in place at both the customer’s origin and destination. Delta also recommends to always check the destination state’s or country’s website for quarantine policies and exceptions. Some travelers may be exempt from these restrictions.

In addition, some countries have imposed temporary entry requirements, such as limiting entry to citizens, permanent residents, and select visa holders, or restricting to essential travel. Delta recommends that customers check directly with the embassy or immigrations office for their destination to confirm whether they are currently eligible to travel.

Timatic and IATA Travel Centre Sites

Travel Agencies should use Timatic and the  IATA Travel Centre   as a reference to answer travel-related questions such as travel restrictions and documentation, entry requirements or health and quarantine requirements, etc.

IATA Timatic is used by airlines and travel agents to verify passenger travel document requirements for their destination and any transit points. Timatic delivers personalized information based on the passenger's destination, transit points, nationality, travel document, residence country etc.

Please note:  Delta is not responsible for the accuracy of the information on either site and suggests that if customers have additional questions, they should check with the respective embassy or consulate and visa office of the country involved with their travel itinerary, for further details.

Contact IATA   if you would like to integrate Timatic into your operations.

Contact Global Sales Support or  Delta Reservations   for any additional assistance.

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General information about entry regulations.

Find out in good time about the current entry regulations* at your destination. This will give you enough time to ensure that your travel documents comply with the entry regulations at your destination or apply for any visa or travel permit you may need. It is your responsibility to find out this information and carry the necessary documents with you.

Passengers can enquire about the entry regulations at their destination country at the relevant embassy or consulate.

You can obtain detailed information about entry regulations, passport requirements and the latest country changes from the IATA Travel Centre.

Increased border controls during the European Championship 2024

Due to the European Football Championship, there are currently increased border controls at German airports. Please allow enough time and make sure you have your travel documents (passport, visa, etc.) with you to present them, if required.

Entry regulations for various destinations

Entry regulations for the USA

Find out in good time about the entry regulations for the USA and check whether you meet the conditions for visa-free entry.

Entry regulations for Canada

Find out in good time about the entry regulations for Canada and apply directly for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA).

Entry within the Schengen Area

Here you can find information about the free movement of people within the European Schengen Area.

The latest Covid-19 entry regulations for your trip

Entry regulations for various countries are still subject to change at short notice.

Here you can find the most important information for entry to your destination country and the latest guidance about proof of a Covid-19 test and any local quarantine requirements.

Simply enter your departure and destination airport here.

Frequently asked questions about entry regulations

Where can i find further information about the entry regulations for my destination.

Your own country’s Foreign Office can also provide any travel information and safety advice you may need for your destination country.

German citizens can obtain information on the Federal Foreign Office website. Please note that visa, transit and entry regulations are specific to each country and can change at short notice.

Where can I find information about identity documents and visas?

Please be sure to find out about your destination’s identity document and visa requirements. The embassy of the country concerned or your travel agent can provide you with information.

When you receive your visa, check whether it is valid for the entire length of your stay. Different rules apply to animals, vehicles or cultural goods depending on the country with regard to entry and customs clearance.

The IATA Travel Centre provides a summary of the travel documents required for your destination country.

For which countries do I require an electronic travel authorisation?

A visa is required for entry to many countries. Several countries, e.g. the USA, Canada and India, offer an electronic travel authorisation for certain nationalities to simplify entry.

The electronic travel authorisation must be applied for and issued before the start of your journey. Authorisation can take several days in particular countries.

You will find links for a few selected Lufthansa destinations below:

What is advance passenger information (API) and how is it transferred?

Airlines are obliged to transfer passenger data to the authorities. They do so via the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).

Authorities in some countries, such as the USA and Russia, also require the transfer of passenger data from flights that cross their territory.

You are obliged to provide complete and correct information to the authorities. You can record this in advance on lufthansa.com. If you are unable to do so, this data will be collected during the check-in process.

What must I consider in the case of entry and exit for children?

Specific regulations apply in some countries to the entry or exit of minors who are travelling unaccompanied or accompanied by only one parent or one other adult. Countries such as Brazil, South Africa, Spain, Portugal and Italy, for example, require a signed consent form from the parents.

Enquire in good time at the consulate concerned whether and which documents are required for your child’s entry and exit country. Entry or exit can be refused if any documents are missing or incorrect.

* Lufthansa always endeavours to provide you with the latest information. However, entry regulations are official requirements outside the airline’s discretion. Since entry regulations are constantly changing in individual countries, Lufthansa accepts no liability for the accuracy of the information provided.

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Friday, 28 June, 2024

IATA updates required travel documentation database to support contactless travel

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Dana is a Travel Tomorrow reporter. She graduated in Political Science and International Relations. She moved to Brussels from Romania for her studies and Mont des Arts made her fall in love with the city and remain here. She loves animals, especially dogs, and everything food related, but dessert most of all.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the update Timatic ( T ravel I nformation M anual Autom atic ), a database containing required documentation for international travel. The next generation travel documentation and verification system aims to support contactless travel and enhance passenger experience.

To achieve this, Timatic has undergone a complete redesign, IATA said, setting a new benchmark in travel compliance solutions. Building on the success of its predecessor, which was established in 1963, the new Timatic AutoCheck promises to offer a streamlined and interactive experience enabling travellers, airlines and travel professionals to easily access accurate and clearly worded immigration information. The entire document checking process has been automated with tailored instructions for each passenger, playing an essential role in supporting the industry in the move towards contactless travel.

Timatic AutoCheck represents a further milestone in the pursuit of efficiency and convenience within the travel industry. Frederic Leger, IATA Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services

Timatic has undergone a complete redesign and offers a streamlined and interactive experience for travelers, airlines and travel professionals to easily access accurate & clearly worded immigration information. Timatic AutoCheck details 👇 https://t.co/zlWKv0RaiZ pic.twitter.com/wrtmUDUq9h — IATA (@IATA) December 15, 2023

The AutoCheck update comes after IATA’s most recent Global Passenger Survey (GPS) revealed that complex visa requirements deter travellers who want a convenient, digital online visa process. Moreover, many are willing to share their travel document information for faster airport immigration procedures.

“Taking advantage of traveller willingness to use online processes and share information in advance, Timatic AutoCheck enables airlines, ground handlers, departure control systems and travel agents a customer friendly online solution, through which travellers can check that they comply with all immigration requirements before setting off to the airport”, said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services.

First fully integrated digital identity travel experience successfully tested by IATA

Timatic AutoCheck can easily be integrated into airline reservation and departure control systems (DCS) as well as distribution systems used by travel agencies and online booking platforms, IATA said, listing the system’s product enhancements: 

• Simplified Regulatory Content: Timatic AutoCheck includes simplified and more user-friendly worded travel regulations, making them easier to understand. Travellers no longer need to know terminologies or read through complex regulations as the information is now provided in a concise manner.
• Interactive Data Driven Approach: Leveraging the power of data, users will now be guided through each step of the compliance process, ensuring they possess all required documents and meet the entry requirements. Users can input their travel details and receive personalized responses.
• Practical Recommendations: Timatic AutoCheck offers more than just information; it provides responses. Whether checking visa requirements, health regulations or entry restrictions, users now receive instructions on how to proceed and comply with regulations so they can promptly address any issues they may encounter.
• Enhanced Automation: The latest automation features make self-service check-in even easier. Airlines have the option to incorporate the new Timatic AutoCheck into their systems enabling passengers to independently verify their travel documents and compliance status through the various check-in options on offer.

Major DCS providers like Amadeus, Hitit and Sabre, along with various airlines and Star Alliance are already working with IATA to upgrade to the new Timatic AutoCheck, taking the next step towards contactless travel.

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• World Financial Symposium (WFS)

Passenger experience A fully integrated digital travel experience

IATA and industry partners successfully tested the first fully integrated digital identity travel experience, from shopping for flights to arrival, on a journey from London Heathrow (LHR) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) with British Airways.

“Our vision for future travel is fully digital and secured with biometric identification. While the technology exists to do this at each stage of a journey, linking these steps together has proven challenging. With our partners, we showed that it is possible. This will open a world of possibilities for simpler journeys in the future,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security.

The journey illustrated the potential of a future fully integrated digital travel experience leveraging biometrics with:

• Personalized Offers: This will be seen from the shopping experience where travelers will be able to receive personalized offers through all shopping channels. The LHR-FCO passenger shared their loyalty card data (stored as a verifiable credential in their smart phone’s digital wallet) with a travel agent. This enabled airlines using the New Distribution Capability (NDC) to make personalized offers through the travel agent channel. 
• Simplified Orders: Once the traveler has chosen among the offers, an order is generated as a verifiable credential that can be stored in a digital wallet. No more Passenger Name Records (PNR), e-tickets or electronic miscellaneous documents are needed. All the information about the journey is stored in the verifiable credential, which can also be read as a QR code. 
• Effortless Travel Requirements Check: Many processes can be done long before the traveler gets to the airport. Along with the digital wallet, a digital passport (stored in the traveler’s digital wallet) will be a key enabler. By sharing the nationality data of the digital passport, passengers can confirm their travel document requirements. IATA’s Timatic solution supports this.
• Simplifying and Securing Check-ins: The LHR-FCO traveler also chose to share their digital passport and order data with their airline, British Airways, to receive a confirmation that they are ready-to-fly and seat assignment via text message, being spared from manual data input. Traditional boarding passes may become optional if travelers are offered and accept a contactless experience at the airport. 
• Contactless Airport Experiences: For travelers who choose to share their biometric data, storing your phone and proceeding hands-free (with your phone and your passport in your pocket or purse) through the airport will be possible. Biometric gates cleared the way for the LHR-FCO traveler through security, into lounges and onto the aircraft.

“As an airline, we are always innovating and looking at ways to make the customer journey as seamless as possible. We introduced biometric boarding on selected flights earlier this year and it has been a huge success with positive customer feedback. Working with IATA on enabling a fully integrated travel journey helps us build on that and shows us what could be possible in the future,” said Dirk John, British Airways Chief Information and Digital Officer.

The companies involved in the project include Accenture, Amadeus, Australian Border Force, AWS, Branchspace, British Airways, IDnow, Aeroporti di Roma, SICPA, Trip.com, and Verchaska.

A Global Transformation

Critical industry process transformations and global standards are enabling this potential. Modern Airline Retailing, for example, is delivering a transparent, personalized shopping experience for air travelers, converting legacy ticketing processes to modern offer and order standards and putting decentralized digital identity to work to enable dynamic and trusted open ecosystem at scale as well as integrated digital experiences for the travelers.

“The goal is to create value for travelers by meeting their needs. Passengers want a personalized, seamless digital experience when shopping for air travel and they expect consistent service irrespective of whether they purchased their travel directly from the airline or via a third party. This is being achieved by modernizing decades old standards, processes, and technology to the digital environment,” said Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services.

One ID is using digital identity and biometric technology to support the digitalization of admissibility as well as contactless travel standards and making physical identity checks at check-in and boarding redundant.

“In future, a smart phone storing a digital wallet that is loaded with your digital passport, loyalty cards and other verifiable travel credential, is all that will be needed to travel. Achieving that reality needs the kind of cooperation that we have demonstrated today with 11 companies coming together to facilitate the first fully integrated digital journey. Success, of course, is underpinned by interoperability and global standards—so the advantage of the digital travel conveniences are available to travelers throughout their journey and wherever it may take them,” said Careen.

Privacy is a top priority with passenger processing standards designed to keep passengers in control of their personal data. Moreover, processes rely on the exchange of credentials (verified approvals based on data), which are shared peer-to-peer (with no intermediating party). And manual processing options will be retained so that travelers will have the ability to opt out of digital admissibility processing.

Interoperability is essential for global acceptance and is ensured with alignment to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards, including those for the Digital Travel Credential and Digital Travel Authorization.

“Information from verifiable credentials is shared on a need-to-know basis. While a government may request detailed personal information to issue a visa or prove admissibility to travel, the only information that will be shared with the airline is that the traveler has a visa and which type. Passengers want complete control of their own data. And that is what they will get—in a travel experience that is secure, simple, and convenient,” said Careen.

IATA Innovation Lab 

The LHR-FCO journey is a “Proof of Concept” developed in the IATA Innovation Lab. The Innovation Lab brings together players from across the travel value chain to incubate solutions and test new technologies to overcome industry challenges. The aim is to help the aviation industry generate value as it transitions towards digitalization.

“Innovation is at the heart of the aviation industry, from exploring sustainable ways of flying to digitizing the passenger travel experience. Progress firmly rooted in collaboration. The IATA Innovation Lab brings the industry together to find pioneering solutions, through harnessing the power of partnerships," said Albakri.

The end-to-end journey using Digital Identity is outlined in a paper with the companies listed above as well as Turkish Airlines, SITA, and Collins Aerospace.

Credit | shutterstock_517421095

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