Qantas tests check-in via SMS
Enough is never enough and what is in today is out tomorrow. A competitor is always close and the time between an innovation or an innovative approach to the market and a competitor either copying the innovation or developing something different is shorter today than ever.
In May, we reported that Jet Star in Australia would accept bookings via SMS (see our blog entry on May 01, 2004.
Now Qantas Airways is countering. They have begun to run trials to allow passengers to check-in via SMS for the route Sydney to Melbourne.
"To use the service, customers need to pre-register their phone and associate it with a specific frequent flyer number. Check-in is accomplished by sending a text message up to six hours before a booked flight. A virtual "boarding pass" that includes flight and seat allocation details is then sent to the phone, which must be shown to staff when boarding.
Passengers who are flying without baggage will be able to use the system without showing identification, while the luggage-laden masses will be able to deposit their bags at a counter dedicated to text-message check-ins after presenting suitable ID."
The system relies on bar codes - as such, only the most recent models work with the service. Now this is a service that is using suitable content in an alliance between the airline industry and mobile carriers.
In May, we reported that Jet Star in Australia would accept bookings via SMS (see our blog entry on May 01, 2004.
Now Qantas Airways is countering. They have begun to run trials to allow passengers to check-in via SMS for the route Sydney to Melbourne.
"To use the service, customers need to pre-register their phone and associate it with a specific frequent flyer number. Check-in is accomplished by sending a text message up to six hours before a booked flight. A virtual "boarding pass" that includes flight and seat allocation details is then sent to the phone, which must be shown to staff when boarding.
Passengers who are flying without baggage will be able to use the system without showing identification, while the luggage-laden masses will be able to deposit their bags at a counter dedicated to text-message check-ins after presenting suitable ID."
The system relies on bar codes - as such, only the most recent models work with the service. Now this is a service that is using suitable content in an alliance between the airline industry and mobile carriers.
posted by Andreas @ 5:42 pm
<< Home