The Rise of Digital Travel Tools: Mobile Devices and Biometrics Transforming Passenger Journeys, Here’s All You Need to Know

Two primary trends are changing the ways travelers enjoy the travel experience, according to the 2025 Global Passenger Survey published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Digital ID’s and mobile technologies are fueling the 3.5 billion air travelers’ need for convenient travel that is entirely digital. This is changing the travel experience, from the purchasing and payment process to the airport experience including check-in, immigration, and boarding.

Rising Dependence on Mobile Devices for Travel Management

One of the most prominent trends identified in the GPS survey is the increasing reliance on smartphones throughout the travel journey. More passengers are using their smartphones to manage various aspects of their travel, from flight bookings and payment to airport check-in and baggage claim. This mobile-first approach is gaining popularity, particularly among younger travelers, as they seek convenience and efficiency.

The survey indicates that 54% of passengers now prefer to book flights directly through airline mobile apps, marking a significant shift from traditional booking methods. The percentage of travelers using airline websites for bookings has decreased from 37% in 2024 to 31% in 2025, with mobile apps gaining momentum—especially among younger generations. This trend reflects a growing desire for digitally enhanced travel experiences that allow passengers to manage all aspects of their journey from the palm of their hands.

The shift towards mobile technology extends beyond just bookings. Payment preferences are also evolving, with digital wallets becoming more popular. In 2025, 28% of travelers opted for digital wallet payments, a sharp increase from 20% in 2024. Meanwhile, the use of credit and debit cards has decreased from 79% to 72% over the same period, indicating that travelers are embracing new, faster, and more secure ways to pay.

Passengers are increasingly seeking to consolidate their travel needs into a single mobile experience, with 78% of travelers expressing interest in using smartphones that combine digital wallets, passports, and loyalty cards to handle bookings, payments, and airport processes. This growing demand highlights the need for airlines and airports to adapt their services to meet the expectations of a tech-savvy generation of travelers.

The Acceleration of Biometric Technology Adoption

Another key finding from the GPS survey is the rapid adoption of biometric technology in airports. As the push towards contactless travel grows, biometrics are playing an increasingly important role in streamlining airport operations. The use of biometrics for airport processes such as check-in, security checks, and boarding has reached new heights, with 50% of passengers reporting having used biometrics at some stage of their journey. This marks an increase from 46% in 2024.

Passenger satisfaction with biometrics is also at an all-time high, with 85% of biometric users expressing contentment with the process. The efficiency and convenience of skipping passport checks or boarding passes have led to 74% of travelers saying they would be willing to share their biometric information if it meant faster processing at key points like security, border control, and boarding.

While the convenience of biometrics is clear, privacy concerns remain a barrier for some passengers. However, there is a significant opportunity to build trust—42% of passengers who are hesitant to share biometric data would reconsider if they were assured of strong data privacy protections. This presents a challenge and an opportunity for the travel industry to balance convenience with privacy and security concerns.

Regional Trends in Digital Travel Adoption

The 2025 GPS also provides valuable insights into regional trends and varying levels of digital adoption across different parts of the world. The survey identifies Asia-Pacific travelers as the most digitally engaged, with a high rate of mobile app use, digital wallet adoption, and biometric usage. This region leads in embracing mobile and digital technologies, though passengers express a desire for even faster, more seamless travel experiences.

European travelers, on the other hand, are more cautious and traditional in their approach to digital travel. They continue to rely heavily on airline websites for bookings and prefer using credit and debit cards for payments. Despite being slower to adopt new technologies like biometrics and digital IDs, European travelers remain highly satisfied with their travel experiences.

North American travelers prioritize convenience but express strong concerns over data security and privacy when it comes to biometric use. They are also among the most likely to choose flights based on total journey time and the number of layovers, reflecting their focus on efficiency and streamlined travel.

Demographic Insights on Digital Travel Preferences

The GPS survey also delves into demographic differences in how passengers are adopting mobile and biometric technologies. Younger travelers (under 26) are the most proactive users of technology, favoring mobile apps for bookings and digital wallets for payments. However, they are also the hardest group to satisfy, with fewer of them reporting high satisfaction with their travel experiences. This highlights the need for the travel industry to continue improving digital services to meet the expectations of this tech-savvy generation.

Male travelers tend to be quicker adopters of digital tools, including mobile apps and biometric technology, while female travelers are somewhat more cautious but are steadily increasing their use of these tools. Despite these differences, both groups show a growing preference for a fully digital travel experience that integrates all their needs into a single mobile platform.

Privacy and Security: The Ongoing Challenge

As digital solutions such as mobile apps, digital wallets, and biometrics continue to reshape the travel experience, one key challenge remains: privacy and security. Passengers want the convenience and efficiency of digital tools, but they also want assurances that their personal data is secure. The travel industry must prioritize cybersecurity to ensure that passengers’ information is protected throughout their journey—from booking to baggage claim.

IATA‘s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security, Nick Careen, emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity in the end-to-end digital transformation of air travel. He calls for continued efforts to build passenger trust in digital travel solutions by ensuring that data privacy and security are maintained at all times.

A Future of Seamless, Digital Travel

IATA’s Global Passenger Survey indicates the future of air travel revolves around mobile phones and biometrics. With the increasing number of passengers adopting digital technology for journey management, the travel sector has no choice but to accommodate. Although primary frustrations to overcome lie with the privacy and security of information, the digital infrastructure of air travel boasts the capacity to surpass passengers’ expectations of speed and convenience.