Lufthansa has partnered with Amadeus to test the European Union Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet for air travel.
From July to August 2025, the German airline trialled the Wallet with its frequent flyers for online check-in, as well as bag drop, security gates, and boarding at the airport. 153 of the group of 160 managed to complete the processes successfully.
Lufthansa reported that passengers responded positively to the Wallet, as they could travel through the airport more efficiently knowing all their documents were digitised and secure. Patrick Sgueglia, senior product manager, airport experience, standards and industry solutions at Lufthansa, commented:
We don’t want to recreate the wheel here, we don’t want to use some separate process, we want to use something people are used to, iOS, Apple wallet, this is exactly what that is. This is going to already fit into people’s lives using Apple Pay and I really think this is the way forward.
Despite privacy concerns, Sguelgia also reported that most passengers are willing to use digital documents in return for a smoother travel experience. He said:
Even among privacy-conscious travellers we still see people wanting to get quickly through those bottlenecks. One thing the EU Digital ID has been created around is something called selective disclosure, you select what you are willing to participate in.
Road to digital document wallets accelerates
EU research found that 68% of residents were in favour of of using digital documents to travel in or outside the Schengen Area. Uptake of mobile wallets for cash payments has risen significantly over the past decade, with a study from Visa finding that 72% of Europeans were actively using digital wallets.
If customers are willing to trust their phone with their bank details, passports and other documents are one short leap forward. Digital wallets are especially popular with younger passengers in Gen Z. To retain a strong customer base, the aviation industry needs to adapt and modernise in line with these trends.
Amadeus plans to expand its digital documents pilot later this year. Digital credentials for airport security and border control will be tested next, while the company has already partnered with 16 airlines on its digital travel document verification initiative, Travel Ready.
The hand-free documents movement is expected to improve passenger experience by eliminating queues and reducing stress. Meanwhile, airports and airlines can benefit from reduced operational costs and improved customer loyalty
Join us at World Aviation Festival 2026, where our dedicated Seamless Payments panel will be discussing the touchless travel experience.
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