Incheon Airport Smart Pass: how to register your face to speed through departures

Passengers leaving from Seoul's Incheon Airport can go through departure checks, and at some gates board, using facial recognition, provided they register in advance for Smart Pass. The airport says the service is open to passengers aged seven and over, with parental consent needed for those under 14.

Registration needs three things: your passport, your facial data and your boarding pass. It can be done in the Smart Pass app, at the airport's self check-in kiosks using the "Register Facial Data" option, or through several Korean banking and payment apps. Facial data remains valid for five years but must be registered again if you renew your passport. A boarding pass has to be added for each trip, unless your airline does it automatically at check-in, as Korean Air and Asiana do, among others.

Every registered passenger can use the dedicated lanes at the departure hall, whatever the airline. Self bag drop with Smart Pass is available for Jeju Air, Trinity Airways, Jin Air and Air Seoul, and face boarding works only at some gates for participating airlines in Terminals 1 and 2.

Keep your passport and boarding pass with you rather than in checked baggage, as the airport asks. Participating airlines and gates are being expanded, so confirm with your airline or the airport before relying on Smart Pass for a tight departure.