Following in the footsteps of its nimbler low-cost airline subsidiary, Jetstar, Qantas has launched a mobile check-in service.
As part of the airline’s Next Generation Check-in initiative and Qantas Mobile application, the service allows users to check-in for their flight via a 2D bar code sent to their mobile device which is then scanned by a reader at the flight gate.
Users can check in between 24 hours and 45 minutes prior to departure on domestic flights.
Back in August last year Jetstar announced what it then claimed as a world-first – the roll out of mobile phone text message boarding passes at 24 hour pre-enrolment check-in by the end of 2009.
Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce, said a pilot for the airline’s Next Generation Check-in service, which also includes Advance Seat Selection, would run in Perth during July.
The full Next Generation Check-in service will be unveiled in Sydney later in the year.
Qantas’ Mobile application also allows customers to access real time flight information on their mobile devices and arrival and departure times.
Mobile check-in is supported at Sydney Terminal 3, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Gladstone, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Kalgoorlie, Broome, Karratha, Newman, Paraburdoo and Port Lincoln.
Adelaide, Cairns, Sydney Terminal 2, Newcastle and Port Hedland are scheduled to roll out the service this year.
In September Jetstar CIO Stephen Tame outlined the benefits if mobile check-in.
“To put it in context, a standard check-in at the counter is 1.2 minutes, a fast bag drop where you have check-in at a kiosk or online is about 27 seconds and a self tagged bag is less than 15 seconds,” said. “Doing all that reduces our costs as it is increasing our efficiencies.”