Need Help?
Streamline the passenger journey with a document-free process
The vision of One ID is that passengers arrive at the airport ‘Ready to Fly’ – all documents have been checked remotely and in advance – and experience a contactless journey through biometric identification.
Need Help?
About One ID
An interoperable, privacy-protecting ecosystem across airlines, airports & governments
IATA aims to establish a safe digital environment that is interoperable across industry parties worldwide, enabling more seamless, contactless passenger journeys while protecting privacy.
Built on two pillars
Digitalization of Admissibility
Passengers share digital credentials from their wallet in advance, enabling airlines to perform admissibility checks off-airport before travel. In the end-state, passengers can obtain the travel authorization directly from governments.
Contactless Travel
Passengers share a biometric image and journey information in advance, then pass airport touchpoints without repeatedly showing physical documents.
> View the One ID End-State chart (pdf)
Benefits for every stakeholder
One ecosystem, value across the entire travel chain.
Passengers
- Prove travel requirements (e.g. visa) before the airport
- Present your face, no repeated documents
- Stay in control of personal data, with informed consent
Airlines
- Automate document checks
- Improve process efficiency and obtain higher-quality of passenger data
- Reduce the operational burden and number of inadmissible passengers
Airports
- Automate processing and relieve terminal congestion
- Optimize space utilization
- Support passenger growth without costly expansion
Governments
- Control directly over who may enter the country
- Enhance risk analysis & border security through better quality of advanced data
- Prevent document fraud
How it works
From booking to boarding — one identity, end to end.
Step 1
Digital Credentials Issuance
Passengers use a trusted app or wallet of their choice to be issued digital credentials needed for travel, such as digital passports, in their wallet.
Step 2
Presentation and Verification of Digital Credentials
Passengers share the required identity/ travel credentials from their digital wallet with the airline, upon consent.
Step 3
Ready to Fly
The airline verifies that the credential data is valid, authentic, and sufficient for check-in and admissibility purposes. The check-in is completed, and the passenger is Ready to Fly.
Step 4
Contactless Travel
Passengers are offered contactless travel where available, and, upon consent, they accept the terms and share the Boarding Pass digital credential with the minimum required information.
Step 5
Frictionless Contactless Experience
At the airport, passengers are recognized with biometrics and enjoy a seamless contactless travel experience throughout the touchpoints.
Progress: from concept to reality
IATA is supporting implementations across airports, airlines worldwide.
50+
Airlines involved in PoCs/Pilots/Implementations
40+
Airports involved in PoCs/Pilots/Implementations
25+
Government entities engaged
Highlights
PoC - Contactless Travel at Scale
Proved that contactless, biometric-enabled international travel is achievable, with digital identity replacing paper documentation.
- Position Paper (April 2026) (pdf)
PoC Fully Digital Travel Experience
IATA and partners demonstrated the industry is ready to deliver a fully digital air travel experience.
- Press release (October 2024)
Resources
Everything to understand and implement One ID.
Documentation
Standards and how-to guidance for building One ID.
- One ID Recommended Practices:
- RP 1701o Contactless Travel
- RP 1701p Digitalization of Admissibility
- RP 1701q Biometric Handling
- Available on the Passenger Services Conference Resolution Manual (PSCRM)
Fact Sheets
One ID fact sheets provide high-level, easy-to-use summaries of key topics to support stakeholder understanding, alignment, and engagement.
Training
Build foundational knowledge of digital identity and biometrics for One ID.
Frequently Asked Questions on One ID
Does biometric-enabled processing make an airport “One ID compliant”?
Not on its own — One ID also requires decentralized digital identity, selective disclosure, and interoperability.
Should airports pause biometric projects until standards are complete?
No. Keep experimenting and implementing, while ensuring systems are adjustable to stay compatible with the One ID end-state.
How can passengers trust parties with their data and privacy?
An open trust framework keeps passengers in control of their data with selective disclosure; all parties must comply with applicable privacy laws.
What if a government doesn’t issue a digital identity for travel?
Passengers can derive a digital credential from their passport via a third-party solution, usable at non-government touchpoints.
