IATA’s 2026 Global Passenger Survey: AI, biometrics surge but visa rules deter 43% of travelers

The findings come from IATA’s 2026 Global Passenger Survey, which highlights three major trends shaping the passenger experience: growing adoption of biometrics and digital passports, the expanding role of AI in travel planning, and mounting frustration with entry requirements.

Almost half of travellers surveyed (49%) have used AI to plan a trip. Searching for flights to a specific destination is the most common application, cited by 21% of respondents, followed by finding the cheapest fares (19%) and discovering travel inspiration (17%).

Airlines must adapt their digital strategies to this changing behavior, according to Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president of operations, safety and security. He said carriers need to ensure their offers appear in AI-generated results and create convenient ways for travelers to turn recommendations into bookings.

Biometric identification is also gaining ground at airports. Some 58% of passengers experienced biometric technology during their airport journey in the past 12 months, compared with 50% in 2025 and 34% in 2022.

Satisfaction among passengers who have used biometrics reached 87%, up from 86% last year. Meanwhile, 78% of travelers would share biometric information if it allowed them to bypass repeated passport or boarding-pass checks. Among those willing to do so, 75% prefer to register once in advance and be recognized throughout their journey.

Interest in digital passports is similarly strong. Some 84% would consider using one for online check-in, while 82% would share a digital passport with an airline after booking to access personalized services, including visa information. The same proportion expressed interest in using a smartphone-based combination of digital wallets, passports and loyalty cards.

However, trust remains a critical issue. Data breaches concern 59% of respondents, while 49% worry about information being shared with other organizations and 41% say they lack clarity about how their personal data is handled.

Immigration requirements present another obstacle. Among travelers deterred by entry rules, 53% said the process was too complex, while privacy and cost were each cited by 17%. In response, 86% said they would be likely to share immigration information digitally before departure, and 60% prefer applying for visas online rather than in person at an embassy or consulate.

Regional differences could influence how airlines and destinations respond. The Middle East leads in AI use, at 72%, and interest in digital passports, at 91%. Asia-Pacific records the highest overall air-travel satisfaction, at 90%, while Africa has the largest share of travelers deterred by immigration requirements, at 52%.

Europe reports the lowest satisfaction, at 84%, and the lowest use of AI for travel planning, at 35%. North America has the highest biometric adoption, at 63%, but also particularly strong concerns about data security.

IATA is urging governments to simplify entry procedures, eliminate duplicate checks and establish common standards for secure digital travel credentials. Careen said existing technology could support faster visa processing, but inconsistent verification practices remain an obstacle to wider adoption.