London’s Heathrow Airport is testing biometric self-boarding as a way to help speed up the flight boarding process, reports Security Document World.

The two-month pilot is happening with South African Airways and utilizes facial biometric technology to facilitate a self-boarding process.

Passengers will give facial biometric data when they check in for a flight. When they arrive at the self-boarding gate, they will have to pass through an electronic barrier and submit to another infrared scan of their face. If the two scans match, the gate will open and the passenger can board their flight.

The process hopes to free up staff to deal with passengers who require more assistance.

To date, over 300 passengers have participated in the trial, and feedback has been positive.

Read more here.