Airport Biometric Boarding: Passenger Trust & Privacy Survey

Welcome to this survey on biometric technology at airports. We are interested in your honest opinions about biometric boarding and identity verification. There are no right or wrong answers — we simply want to understand your perspective. Your participation is voluntary, and you may stop at any time. All responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate. The survey takes approximately 7–10 minutes to complete. By continuing, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and agree to participate.

When did you most recently take a commercial flight?

• Within the last 3 months
• 3–6 months ago
• 7–12 months ago
• More than 12 months ago
• I have never flown

Throughout this survey, "biometric technology at airports" refers to systems that use physical characteristics — such as a face scan, fingerprint, or iris scan — to verify your identity during check-in, security, boarding, or immigration. These systems may be operated by airlines, airports, or government agencies.

Overall, how much do you trust biometric identity checks used by airports and airlines today?

Rank the following factors by importance when deciding whether to use a biometric option at an airport (1 = most important).

1. Privacy and security of my biometric data
2. Risk of misidentification (e.g., denied boarding)
3. Potential for algorithmic bias or unfair treatment
4. Speed and convenience at the airport
5. Ability to opt out with no penalty

Based on your responses in this survey, is there anything else you would like to share about biometric technology at airports?

What is your age?

• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65+
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for completing this survey! Your responses have been recorded and will be used to improve understanding of passenger attitudes toward biometric technology at airports. All data will be reported in aggregate only. If you have any questions, please contact the research team.

Which types of air trips have you taken in the past 12 months? Select all that apply.

• Domestic (within one country)
• Short-haul international (3 hours or less)
• Long-haul international (more than 3 hours)
• Connecting itinerary (one or more layovers)
• Red-eye or overnight flight
• Other
• None of the above

Which of the following biometric options have you ever encountered at an airport? Select all that apply.

• Biometric boarding (e.g., face scan at the gate)
• Biometric identity check at security or immigration
• Airline or airport mobile app sign-in using biometrics (e.g., face ID, fingerprint)
• Self-service biometric kiosk (e.g., check-in or bag drop)
• None of the above

How comfortable would you be with a face scan at the boarding gate to verify your identity?

If offered biometric boarding, what would you most likely do?

• Opt in whenever available
• Decide case by case
• Opt out whenever possible
• Not sure

We'd like to explore your thoughts on biometric technology at airports in a bit more depth. An AI moderator will ask you a couple of follow-up questions based on your earlier answers.

What is your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer to self-describe
• Prefer not to say

If you have used biometric boarding (face scan at the gate), how satisfied were you with the experience the last time?

How comfortable would you be with a fingerprint or iris scan at an airport security checkpoint?

If your biometric data is collected at an airport, how long should it be retained?

• Deleted immediately after use
• Within 24 hours
• Within 30 days
• Within 1 year
• Kept until I revoke consent
• Not sure

In which country or region do you currently live?

If you have used a biometric identity check at security or immigration, how satisfied were you with the experience the last time?

How comfortable would you be with automated face recognition at immigration or passport control?

If you were to opt out of a biometric option at an airport, what would be your main reason?

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than high school
• High school or equivalent
• Some college or technical training
• Bachelor's degree
• Postgraduate degree
• Prefer not to say

If you have used biometric sign-in on an airline or airport mobile app, how satisfied were you with the experience the last time?

How comfortable would you be using face ID or fingerprint on an airline app to check in or access your boarding pass?

What is your current employment status?

• Employed full-time
• Employed part-time
• Self-employed
• Student
• Homemaker or caregiver
• Retired
• Unemployed, seeking work
• Not working, not seeking
• Prefer not to say

What is the highest airline frequent-flyer or loyalty program tier you currently hold?

• None
• Entry-level tier
• Mid-tier
• Top-tier or elite
• Not sure