BA urges use of technology to cut Xmas queues
More than one million passengers are expected to fly with British Airways over the festive period with today (Wednesday) expected to be the busiest day.
Commercial director Martin George urged passengers to take advantage of new technology at airports and ba.com which removes the need to queue to check-in.
“We will be working hard to check customers in as fast as possible,” he said. “However, the queue can be avoided by using our self-service kiosks at the airport where customers enter their details, answer a few questions and receive their boarding card. They can then drop their luggage off to the designated fast bag drop and relax before their flight departs.
“Alternatively, customers can check-in online and print their own boarding pass from the comfort of their own home. Other benefits of ba.com include choosing seats and meals.”
BA said it expected to carry more than one million customers between December 18 and January 2.
New York is the top long-haul destination followed by Hong Kong Miami. Paris is the favourite European Christmas destination followed by Geneva and Madrid. Edinburgh, Manchester and Glasgow are the top three domestic destinations.
The airline is set to serve 7,000 slices of Christmas cake, 60,000 turkey dinners, 55,000 mince pies and 1.5 million chocolates in the period.
BA’s top five Christmas destinations – long haul (last year’s rank in brackets)
1. New York (1)
2. Hong Kong (3)
3. Miami (2)
4. Los Angeles (4)
5. Chicago (new entry)
Top five Christmas European destinations – short haul
1. Paris (1)
2. Geneva (2)
3. Rome (5)
4. Stockholm (new entry)
5. Madrid (3)
Top five domestic destinations
1. Edinburgh (2)
2. Manchester (1)
3. Glasgow (3)
4. Aberdeen (5)
5. Newcastle (4)
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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