Qantas means business at check-in
SYDNEY – Business travelers will be the big winners in plans by Qantas to revolutionise the way people check in for their domestic flights.
The airline claims its Airport of the Future initiative, beginning next year, will halve check-in times for customers at CityFlyer ports across Australia.
Qantas Frequent Flyers’ cards will be embedded with an intelligent chip, transforming them into personal boarding passes linked to permanent bag tags.
This will enable Qantas passengers to swipe their Frequent Flyer card on a reader and head to a simplified baggage drop, or straight through the security process to their departure gate, or Qantas lounge.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the initiative would launch in Perth in mid-2010 and would be followed by Sydney (late 2010), Melbourne (early 2011), Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.
The service will be available for all Qantas Frequent Flyers from Silver through to Platinum and all Qantas Club Members.
Bronze Frequent Flyers and non-frequent flyers will also see significant upgrades to their check-in arrangements, with hosted kiosks and rapid bag drop.
“With this new personal boarding pass and permanent bag tag, checking baggage will no longer be a chore – no more baggage stickers and weigh-ins at the desk.
“While the process will be simple, the technology behind it will ensure the full range of security checks remain solidly in place,†Joyce said.
“Importantly, the changes will provide new added services for our Frequent Flyers, particularly business travellers, who are time poor and looking for ease and efficiency when they fly.â€
Ian Jarrett
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