Aviation Automation & Biometrics Take Off in 2025

Airlines and airports are racing to deploy aviation automation, biometrics and AR/VR after CES in January 2025.

Following major announcements at CES in January 2025, carriers and hubs across North America and Europe are accelerating investments in automation, biometric ID and immersive tech. Aviation automation is being pitched as a way to smooth queues, reduce fuel burn through operational gains, and create fresh ancillary revenue streams.

European flag carrier Lufthansa (LH) has been spotlighted for expanded extended-reality inflight experiences, while US major Delta Air Lines (DL, ICAO: DAL) is trialing AI-powered digital concierges to deliver hyper-personalized journeys. Airports and ground handlers are pairing biometric e-gates with automated bag drops to shorten connection times and improve throughput.

Aviation automation: what airlines and airports are rolling out

Operators are choosing a mix of passenger-facing and back-of-house deployments—everything from AR/VR training for technicians to contactless biometric boarding and AI-driven customer service. Early pilots emphasize safety, data privacy and measurable efficiency gains before large-scale rollouts.

• Aviation automation: biometric gates, automated check-in and AR-assisted maintenance are the top priorities for 2025 pilots.
• Immersive tech like AR/VR is being used for inflight entertainment and to train cabin and technical crews without grounding aircraft.
• AI concierges aim to tailor offers and manage disruptions in real time, improving experience while opening new revenue channels.

Expect a patchwork of regional rollouts through 2025 as regulators, airports and airlines harmonize standards. Watch for announcements from carriers and airport partners as pilots move from CES demos to live services later in the year.