Not sure about announced new airport policies in the USA

This is going to be implemented internationally not just in the US. I think it’s a good idea and comes with a lot of benefits. The way the world is world is going you will need a smartphone whether you want one or not. It’s already pretty essential, eg tickets for public transport and events. You’re expected to be able to pick up emails on the go.

Sure, a government is going to tell private business how to be more efficient. Nothing can go wrong with that scenario.

I doubt this will get implemented internationally in my lifetime!
Just look at the EU's ETIAS and EES.

As Bob Dylan’s song goes, “The Times They Are A-Changin.”

Government says that the data is deleted 15 seconds after boarding? How secure will our information be?

I wouldn't worry about that. DOGE probably already has it.

Recently, it has been announced that passengers flying in the USA will go digital. No more boarding passes. Everything (Boarding passes; passports, drivers licenses, etc.) will be downloaded on our cellphones.

Where did you see this announcement? This sounds like someone’s vision for the future, not anything realistic in the near term.

Laura,
Perhaps this will give some insight.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/11/boarding-passes-and-check-in-to-be-scrapped-in-air-travel-shake-up-plans

The Guardian article seems to be saying what I have heard on TV.

I personally don't like all the changes, especially having to rely on my cellphone.

For one thing, my provider doesn't work overseas unless I pay extra for coverage. If this is implemented internationally , that could really tick me off.

I don't like doing financial transactions on my phone. We are told these changes will be implemented in early March, less than three weeks from now.

The days of people using technology for their convience are long gone. Technology is now using us for it's convience whether we like it or not.

Pogo said it best. "We have met the enemy and he is us".

That article talks about a proposed change and states, “ This would allow passengers to store passport information on their devices to be used for travel. The changes could come into effect within three years”. It doesn’t imply to me that this would require people to store info on a smart phone; it implies that they could do this. There will likely be people (e.g., children) who don’t have mobile devices so they’ll need an alternative option.

At Dulles airport, they’ve been using facial recognition in lieu of boarding passes on international flights for a number of years. This just sounds like an expansion of that type of technology.
https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2018/09/dulles-airport-surprises-passengers-facial-recognition-boarding/151095/

From what I found just now on the Internet, the change in May is the requirement for the Real ID Driver's License.

The change to do away with boarding passes, it seems, will take much longer, 2 or 3 years.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/tsa-new-technology/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/aviation/boarding-passes-and-check-in-could-be-scrapped-under-new-airport-rules/ar-AA1CLx0S

Yes, it's the REAL ID for May, 2025 not the proposals by ICAO for going digital.

Frankly, by the time they get this implemented I will probably be past my international travel "career" anyway.

I do go with an international telephone plan when I travel. The hundred bucks or so that it costs me is a drop in the bucket to the rest of my trip costs.

I already try to do digital boarding passes although I got tripped up in October when I could not pull up the pass on the dumb Delta App (they will HAVE to improve that) coming back thru Immigration in SLC so had to stop at the Delta desk in the border control area and get a reissued boarding pass. I had neglected to do a screen shot and I won't forget that next time.

I use Apple Pay for everything I can anyway as it seems to be pretty secure.

"4) What if we are flying internationally and changing flights overseas, what about our boarding pass for that flight?"

You'll download an app for the international airline and get your boarding passes on there. IF it is all on one ticket (as if you flew Delta and had an intraEuropean flight on KLM you picked up at Schiphol) then it may all be in the originating airline's app.

If you currently have a cell phone, I'd encourage you to start using ApplePay or GooglePay at home in lieu of a CC/DC/cash to get used to it in a familiar environment.

If you currently have a cell phone, I'd encourage you to start using ApplePay or GooglePay at home in lieu of a CC/DC/cash to get used to it in a familiar environment.

Good advice. I'm playing around with GooglePay. It takes a little getting used to. I also added my driver's license and a couple other ID's., but the app has a big disclaimer that "It's not a replacement for the physical ID, and can't be used for verification."

It's interesting to learn which stores take Google Pay and which don't.

And Real ID was announced so long ago that I can't even remember when I got mine. I do remember that the computers were down at the DMV the first time I went, so I had to go back another time.

And Real ID was announced so long ago that I can't even remember when I got mine.

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005. It has only taken 20 years and it finally looks like it will be implemented.

For one thing, my provider doesn't work overseas unless I pay extra for coverage. If this is implemented internationally , that could really tick me off.

I am positive that when you have stored boarding passes on your phone, they are in your wallet, and you can access them without cellular coverage, therefore you do not need to have an international plan. Same thing with stored credit cards, say using Apple Pay. Those and all wallet items (stored transit passes, etc) are available in airplane mode, too.

FWIW, I have never once scanned a boarding pass on my phone; for one thing, I don't like having my phone out when I am boarding a plane, i have already put it away in carry on, on airplane mode. I always download those on my phone, to have, but I never actually use them. I always get paper boarding passes at check-in; I always check bags, so I am there at the counter anyway...I doubt that paper boarding passes will be phased out for many years, even when they introduce this in a few years.

Paper or digital doesn't matter to me. I will pick the shortest and fastest line-up.

The news article I watched said it will happen in 3 years. If it actually starts then will be another matter.

Let's look at the reality.

Real ID comes into effect in May. But what if you don't have a "Real ID?" You can use your passport. If you are traveling overseas you will have your passport. Just remember to bring it if flying domestically. Or a passport card if you have that.

As for the digital boarding card....well...yes, it will make things easier BUT they will also have a way to have paper boarding cards in case of technology problems.

They are starting to use facial recognition at security checkpoints and when boarding planes. You won't have to do anything. For international flights its tied for your passport.

@Geo. Yes, technological advances will continue to be confronting to you and me.

Me thinks you guys are back in the stone age in using digital technology. Qantas began trailing online check in on domestic flights from Perth in July 2009 using mobile phones and its own credit card sized frequent flyer card with embedded chip and PIN for boarding instead of the paper pass. As I lived for a greater part of the year in Perth, I grabbed the chance to try it out and eagerly joined in. Qantas has saved untold tonnes of paper waste. Is optional, one can still print out a boarding pass at home or have one printed at the airport.

Has progressed since then and includes some overseas Qantas destinations like NZ, Singapore but not USA.
In Australia, digital drivers’ licences have been progressively rolled out since 2017. Once again is optional.
I liken it to the Amish who still use horse and buggy alongside motor vehicles. Recently saw a handful on the roads during my time around Petoskey. A bit slow and special care had to be taken for the few who chose to live this way. The rest of the world can handle it.

1 .Mobile phone is a personal choice. Has consequences. Some people still use candles.

2.Most mobile phone manufacturers and network providers have security fixes, antimalware and other support included. At a guess most would update their mobile phones every couple of years. Could be expensive in USA with the weird world of tariffs you live under. Even with the recent back down. (My country is completely tariff free. USA has a trade surplus of USD$21 billion with us because we buy aircraft and other military equipment. McDonald’s buys our grass feed beef because it balances the fatty grain feed US and Mexican beef.)

3.Sounds like a USA problem. Has been sorted here and runs smoothly like a grandfather clock, except for overseas visitors stuffing things up. Cannot get the world to keep up with us.

4.Last year had flights through Shanghai to Paris and was given paper passes. Booked through Qantas but flew with China Eastern. Great flight, great lounge, great help, great aircraft, food, and crew. Still is an option to get paper boarding passes. Assume the same for your US based carriers. Return home with American Airflines. Chicago to Los Angeles to Sydney. Paper passes. Very good flights, Flagship Business lounges, aircraft, food, and crew. Seems weird to rate a communist airline higher. But it was at all levels. Had Jonny Walker Blue Label whisky for first class flyers.

5.Fear not. A backup of all your electronic activities is kept at Pine Gap in central Australia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Gap

Geo, I am looking forward with eager anticipation to the rollout of facial recognition, so I can ditch all this paper stuff I need to carry around. The above information about Pine Gap should make it all clear that fear about personal information is too late.

Additionally, the USA Supreme Court Decision (6-3), Trump v. United States, 603 U.S 593 (2024) gives the USA President supreme powers over the USA and its territories while in office. Both legislatively and administratively. Overturning all previous lower court decisions.

Regards Ron

TC; Well put. More unnecessary coercive digital crap. What a revoltin' development! Facial recognition means you are registered more thoroughly than any convicted criminal ever used to be, even though you are not suspected of anything. What's next? Biopsy? Are governments always good guys? People should invent the wheel all over again and practice immersive travel, without computer screens inside their clothes. Slave to the Wage or Absolutely Free.