Airport technology saves nearly half of global travelers an extra 10-30 minutes per trip while reducing stress and improving the travel experience, according to a new Priority Pass study.
The survey of more than 12,000 travelers found that 44% of U.S. travelers report new airport technology has reduced their stress levels. In the Americas, 78% rate fast-track security as the best airport technology improvement, followed by digital boarding passes at 73%.
The study found that 48% of travelers in the Americas gain an extra 10-30 minutes per trip from airport technology, while 20% save up to an hour. Half of Americas travelers said technology improvements make their journeys more seamless.
Other top-rated technologies include automated baggage drops, cited by 68% of travelers, and advanced security scanners at 71%.
With extra time available, 60% of travelers spend more money at airports, particularly Generation Z travelers at 71% and millennials at 67%. Most use the time to eat at restaurants (55%) or shop (46%), while 38% of U.S. travelers would visit airport lounges.
The study found 73% of global travelers have visited airport lounges at least once. Travelers want future lounges to offer tailored food and entertainment with workspaces (38%), seamless app-based booking (37%) and more local food options (36%).
Looking ahead, 42% of travelers from the Americas want fully biometric journeys without physical passports, 39% want smart baggage tracking, 36% want signage that automatically translates to their native language, and 32% are interested in AI-powered predictive security checks.
Despite embracing automation, 31% of U.S. travelers still want human assistance, especially for customer service (69%), security and border control (59%), and lost and found services (49%).
"With travel volumes continuing to rise, airports are looking to technology to help enhance the curb-to-gate journey while also increasing traveler spend," said Christopher Evans, CEO of Collinson International, Priority Pass's parent company.
The study found 59% of travelers believe airports are adopting AI and technology at the right pace.
Priority Pass commissioned the research, conducted independently by Vitreous World among travelers from 21 countries and territories. The survey was conducted in April and May 2025.
Editor's Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Priority Pass. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
