Qantas introduces digital boarding passes on international services

Qantas has introduced mobile check-in and digital boarding passes for customers travelling between Australia and New Zealand, the first step towards more seamless travel across the Tasman.

The technology is being rolled out as part of the airline’s strategy to speed up the journey through the airport for customers travelling internationally.

Until now, customers travelling across the Tasman were typically required to queue up for a printed boarding pass. The new technology allows eligible customers travelling between Australia and New Zealand to finalise check-in and passport checks online and head straight to the lounge or boarding gate after passing through immigration and security – all with the digital boarding pass on their mobile device.

The offering will be initially made through web and mobile (Qantas.com) before being extended to the Qantas app in June 2017. From this time, Qantas will also look to extend the service from its trans-Tasman routes to other destinations on its international network.

It comes shortly after Qantas gave its backing to Australian and New Zealand government efforts to streamline border processing for customers travelling across the Tasman, calling for a renewed effort to make the experience more like domestic air travel.

Qantas International and Freight CEO Gareth Evans said the initiative had been on the national carrier’s agenda for a long time.

“Seamless domestic travel has been a reality since Qantas pioneered smart check-in technology in 2010, but the barriers have always been a lot higher for international flights,” Mr Evans said.

“It’s a great example of how industry and Government working together can change what’s possible for travellers. The goal is ultimately to make this technology for international routes the ‘new normal’.

“Helping our customers access services and information through their mobile is a big priority for Qantas right now,” said Mr Evans.
Implementation of the technology is expected to be completed across all relevant airports by early 2018.

FAST FACTS

• Mobile check-in and digital boarding passes:
  • Available to eligible customers flying across the Tasman;
    • All passport holders (some visa restrictions apply)
    • Direct flights between Australia and New Zealand
    • Qantas marketed and operated services
    • Single customer itineraries
  • Customers without baggage who have a boarding pass can head straight to the boarding gate after passing through immigration and security;
  • Customers with baggage who have checked in online can use the dedicated online check-in bag drop to expedite their airport experience;
  • Available initially via web and mobile (qantas.com) before extending to the Qantas App in June; and
  • Progressively rolled-out to international destinations by early 2018.
• Access to Express Path services for eligible customers will also be embedded into digital boarding passes.
• Qantas operates 252 return services between Australia and New Zealand per week.

23 May 2017

Photo: copyright © Qantas