Mobile travel surges as 54% prefer direct airline booking, says IATA

…78% want all-in-one travel smartphones as biometric use nears majority

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a sharp rise in mobile-driven air travel, with passengers increasingly relying on smartphones and embracing biometric technology to streamline their journeys.

According to the 2025 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) released by IATA, more than half of global travelers (54%) now prefer to book directly with airlines, a shift driven largely by the growing use of mobile apps and digital platforms.

While airline websites remain the single most popular booking channel at 31%, this represents a decline from 37% in 2024, as mobile and web apps continue to gain ground, particularly among younger travelers.

The survey shows that smartphones are becoming central to every stage of the passenger journey, from booking and payment to check-in, boarding, immigration, and baggage handling. In a key finding, the association noted that 78% of passengers said they want to use a single smartphone-based solution that combines a digital wallet, digital passport, and loyalty cards to manage their entire travel experience.

The report also says that payment habits are evolving. Although credit and debit cards remain the dominant payment method at 72%, usage has declined from 79% in 2024. Digital wallets recorded significant growth, rising from 20% to 28% within a year, while instant payment options such as IATA Pay increased from 6% to 8%.

Biometric technology is playing an increasingly important role in airport processes. IATA found that 50% of passengers have used biometrics at some point during their airport journey, up from 46% in 2024 and nearly 20 percentage points higher than in 2022.

Usage is most common at security checkpoints, exit immigration, and entry immigration, the survey disclosed.

Passenger response to biometrics has been largely positive, with 85% of users expressing satisfaction. Nearly three-quarters of travelers (74%) said they would be willing to share biometric data if it allows them to move through checkpoints without showing passports or boarding passes.

However, privacy concerns remain, as 42% of those currently unwilling to share biometric information said they could reconsider if data protection and privacy were guaranteed.

Commenting on the findings, Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, said passengers increasingly expect air travel to mirror the digital convenience they experience in other parts of their lives.

“Passengers want to manage their travel the same way they manage many other aspects of their lives, on their smartphones and using digital ID. As experience grows with digital processes from booking to baggage claim, the message that travelers are sending in this year’s GPS is clear: they like it, and they want more of it.

“There is an important caveat which is the need to continue building trust, so cybersecurity remains a priority. Cybersecurity must be core to the end-to-end digital transformation of how we book, pay, and experience air travel,” said Careen.

Regionally, the survey highlights varying levels of digital adoption and satisfaction. Africa stands out for high passenger satisfaction and a preference for human interaction, though visa and border challenges remain significant.

Asia-Pacific travelers lead in digital adoption, while Europe remains more cautious about biometrics and digital identity. North American passengers prioritize convenience but express strong privacy concerns, and Middle Eastern travelers show high satisfaction driven by loyalty and service quality.

IATA, which represents about 360 airlines accounting for more than 80% of global air traffic, said the findings underscore a clear shift toward a more digital, mobile-first future for air travel, one that balances convenience with security and trust.

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