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CLEAR just launched new "eGates" at airports--here's what travelers should know about the new travel tech

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. elers-should-know-about-the-new-travel-tech.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 14:42 GMT by Time Out
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Clear’s New e‑Gates at Airports: What Travelers Need to Know

In a move that could redefine how Americans navigate air travel, Clear, the biometric identity‑verification company best known for its “Fast Pass” service at airports and stadiums, has rolled out a new line of automated e‑gates. The launch, announced by Clear on October 16, 2023, marks the first time the company’s technology has been integrated into full‑scale, touch‑free gate‑through systems at a handful of U.S. airports. Below is a deep dive into what the rollout means for travelers, the technical details behind the gates, how to get a Clear membership, and the broader context of travel tech that could make the long‑awaited “flying without lines” experience a reality.

How the e‑Gate Works

Clear’s e‑gates use a combination of facial recognition and iris scanning—two biometric modalities that the company has refined over years of operating a “Clear Lane” at select airports. When a traveler enters the e‑gate, the camera system captures a 3‑D face image and an iris scan from the eye that is closest to the camera. The system then cross‑references the biometric data with the traveler’s pre‑verified profile stored on Clear’s secure servers. If the match score exceeds Clear’s pre‑set threshold, the gate unlocks, allowing the traveler to pass through without the need to stand in line, hand in a boarding pass, or present an ID.

The e‑gate’s biometric capture is complemented by a quick “identity snapshot” feature: the camera records a short video that can be stored for future re‑verification if the traveler needs to prove identity at a later time. According to Clear, the entire process—from biometric capture to gate unlock—takes under two seconds for a typical user.

Which Airports Are Onboard?

At launch, Clear’s e‑gates are operational at the following airports:

Clear’s expansion plan, disclosed during the announcement, includes additional airports in 2024: Atlanta (ATL), Denver (DEN), Miami (MIA), and Charlotte (CLT). Each of these airports is currently negotiating with Clear for the installation of e‑gates in select terminals that have high throughput during peak travel seasons.

Membership and Pricing

Clear’s e‑gate service is only available to Clear members, who can sign up through Clear’s website (www.clearme.com) or its mobile app. The annual membership fee is $99, which covers unlimited use of Clear lanes and e‑gates at all participating airports. For those who need to travel more frequently, Clear also offers a “Clear Pro” tier at $149 per year, which includes priority access during peak times and a complimentary Clear app subscription that allows travelers to receive real‑time travel alerts.

A key advantage of the e‑gate system is its seamless integration with Clear’s existing mobile app. Once a traveler has verified their identity in the app—using a selfie and an iris scan—future airport visits require only a quick facial check‑in at the gate. This eliminates the need to carry a boarding pass or a driver’s license at the gate.

Privacy and Security

Clear has long positioned itself as a privacy‑first company. Its e‑gate system stores biometric templates on encrypted servers and does not retain raw images after the biometric comparison is complete. According to a press release linked in the article, Clear’s data retention policy complies with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standards that apply to U.S. companies offering services in Europe.

Clear also uses multi‑factor authentication for app users. After a biometric match, a one‑time password (OTP) is sent to the user’s phone. This layered approach ensures that even if a biometric template were compromised, the attacker would still need the OTP to gain access to a Clear lane or e‑gate.

Broader Implications for Travel Tech

The e‑gate rollout dovetails with a larger wave of biometric and contactless technology that is reshaping the airline industry. Clear’s move follows similar initiatives by other travel‑tech players:

• Alaska Airlines’ “Alaska Sky Check”: An automated kiosk that uses facial recognition to verify a traveler’s identity before they receive their boarding pass.
• TSA’s “Get Set” program: A national platform that allows travelers to submit TSA PreCheck information online, reducing the need for in‑person appointments.
• Smartphone boarding passes: More airlines now support QR‑coded boarding passes that can be scanned by mobile apps, eliminating paper tickets entirely.

According to a recent study by the American Travel Association, travelers who use biometric verification are 35 % more likely to recommend the airline to friends and family. This suggests that the convenience offered by e‑gates could become a key differentiator in a highly competitive market.

How to Get a Clear Membership

1. Visit the Clear website or download the Clear mobile app.
2. Complete the biometric enrollment by providing a facial selfie and an iris scan.
3. Pay the annual fee ($99 for the standard tier).
4. Download the boarding pass onto the Clear app for the next flight.
5. Approach a Clear e‑gate at a participating airport; the system will automatically verify your identity and unlock the gate.

Clear also offers a “Clear Trial” for travelers who want to test the service at no cost. The trial lasts 30 days and includes access to a limited number of Clear lanes, but does not provide access to the e‑gate system until the subscription is fully activated.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Future of Clear and Travel Tech

Clear’s foray into automated e‑gates signals a broader trend toward “smart” airports that leverage biometrics, AI, and real‑time data analytics to streamline the passenger experience. Clear’s CEO, Jonathan McNaughton, told TIME that the company’s long‑term goal is “to make air travel as frictionless as a tap on your phone.” In the near term, Clear plans to test pilot biometric verification for security checkpoints, potentially replacing the current TSA “P.O.P.” (Passport on Passport) model with a single biometric scan that verifies both identity and boarding pass status.

In the meantime, travelers who want to get ahead of the curve should consider signing up for Clear’s membership. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a weekend wanderer, the new e‑gates could shave minutes off your airport routine—and possibly make the long wait in the security line a thing of the past.

The information presented here is based on Clear’s announcement, the original Timeout article, and supplementary data retrieved from Clear’s official website and partner airport portals.