British Airways moves to automated check-in for domestic
Paxing All Over The World
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British Airways moves to automated check-in for domestic
I read this short article on a IT on-line journal today: Silicon.com written by Andy McCue and Published: Tuesday 21 March 2006. The REALLY interesting point is the indication about T5
British Airways moves towards online check-in. Traditional check-in desks to be scrapped for UK flights...
British Airways (BA) is to scrap traditional check-in desks for passengers on UK domestic flights from the end of next month as part of its continued investment in automated check-in systems. From April 25, the only way for passengers on internal UK flights to check-in will be online at the ba.com website or using a self-service kiosk at the airport.
Passengers who check-in on ba.com will be able to print their boarding pass from their home or office printer up to 24 hours before their flight, which BA says will allow them to proceed immediately to the boarding gate on arrival at the airport.
Conventional check-in desks will be converted to "fast bag drop" desks for those using self-service kiosks to check their luggage in. Special assistance desks will still be available for those unable to use ba.com or the self-service kiosks.
The move is BA's first step towards simplifying procedures and upgrading facilities over the next two years ahead of its move into the new Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport. BA aims to move more than 80 per cent of its customers to self-service check-in by the time the new terminal opens in spring 2008.
Martin George, commercial director at BA, said the changes are about making the airport experience simpler and speedier for customers. He said in a statement: "Our customers have told us that they are looking for ways to save precious time where possible, so we have developed user-friendly self-service check-in systems... to help ease their journey through the airport."
British Airways moves towards online check-in. Traditional check-in desks to be scrapped for UK flights...
British Airways (BA) is to scrap traditional check-in desks for passengers on UK domestic flights from the end of next month as part of its continued investment in automated check-in systems. From April 25, the only way for passengers on internal UK flights to check-in will be online at the ba.com website or using a self-service kiosk at the airport.
Passengers who check-in on ba.com will be able to print their boarding pass from their home or office printer up to 24 hours before their flight, which BA says will allow them to proceed immediately to the boarding gate on arrival at the airport.
Conventional check-in desks will be converted to "fast bag drop" desks for those using self-service kiosks to check their luggage in. Special assistance desks will still be available for those unable to use ba.com or the self-service kiosks.
The move is BA's first step towards simplifying procedures and upgrading facilities over the next two years ahead of its move into the new Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport. BA aims to move more than 80 per cent of its customers to self-service check-in by the time the new terminal opens in spring 2008.
Martin George, commercial director at BA, said the changes are about making the airport experience simpler and speedier for customers. He said in a statement: "Our customers have told us that they are looking for ways to save precious time where possible, so we have developed user-friendly self-service check-in systems... to help ease their journey through the airport."
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See now this is something I don't understand as I've just travelled EDI-LHR-EDI ... what's the point of Self service check in, if you've then got to "fast" bag drop ... often queueing in a queue that takes as long as a normal checkin line ... in which case you've actually now spent more time at "Check-In".
Its a bloody disgrace ...
Jordan
Its a bloody disgrace ...
Jordan
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Exit row? Scramble seating?
So as (AFIK) it is the law that you have to be SEEN to be able bodied etc. to be allocated exit row seats.
Does this now mean they will be avaliable for online check in? Sounds like a recipie for "Would you mind swapping seats sir / madam." if they do.
Or is the subtext that BA are going scramble seating for domestic?
Memetic
Does this now mean they will be avaliable for online check in? Sounds like a recipie for "Would you mind swapping seats sir / madam." if they do.
Or is the subtext that BA are going scramble seating for domestic?
Memetic
Paxing All Over The World
Thread Starter
Wednesday brings this:
Dear Mr Paxboy,
You demand a fast, stress-free journey through the airport, so I'm sure you'll be interested to know that, as from 25 April 2006, all our UK Domestic customers will be required to check in for their flight either online* via ba.com or using one of our Self-Service Check-in kiosks** at the airport.
Don't worry if you've never checked in online or collected a boarding pass from a Self-Service Check-in kiosk before. We have a simple guide on ba.com, and at the airport our staff will be on hand to help you at the Self-Service Check-in kiosks.
By checking in online, you can also choose to print your own boarding pass from a home, hotel or office printer, up to 24 hours before your flight. This means you'll be able to head straight to the boarding gate on arrival at the airport.
What's more, we're converting our conventional check-in desks into 'Fast Bag Drop' desks, for you to check-in any luggage. For more information on our check-in options, click here.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Keyes
Executive Club,
Marketing Manager
*Check-in on ba.com is available to all UK Domestic customers except those travelling with children or infants, those travelling in a group of up to six wishing to check-in together and those travelling on codeshare services. Customers travelling with children or infants and groups of up to six can check-in at a kiosk.
**Check-in at a kiosk is available to all UK Domestic customers, except those travelling on codeshare services.
Only those UK Domestic customers unable to check-in using ba.com or a kiosk will be able to check-in at a desk.
I now need to ask if this will include LTN, as they have only one rotation a day from theere (IOM) and my guess is that the answer = No!
Dear Mr Paxboy,
You demand a fast, stress-free journey through the airport, so I'm sure you'll be interested to know that, as from 25 April 2006, all our UK Domestic customers will be required to check in for their flight either online* via ba.com or using one of our Self-Service Check-in kiosks** at the airport.
Don't worry if you've never checked in online or collected a boarding pass from a Self-Service Check-in kiosk before. We have a simple guide on ba.com, and at the airport our staff will be on hand to help you at the Self-Service Check-in kiosks.
By checking in online, you can also choose to print your own boarding pass from a home, hotel or office printer, up to 24 hours before your flight. This means you'll be able to head straight to the boarding gate on arrival at the airport.
What's more, we're converting our conventional check-in desks into 'Fast Bag Drop' desks, for you to check-in any luggage. For more information on our check-in options, click here.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Keyes
Executive Club,
Marketing Manager
*Check-in on ba.com is available to all UK Domestic customers except those travelling with children or infants, those travelling in a group of up to six wishing to check-in together and those travelling on codeshare services. Customers travelling with children or infants and groups of up to six can check-in at a kiosk.
**Check-in at a kiosk is available to all UK Domestic customers, except those travelling on codeshare services.
Only those UK Domestic customers unable to check-in using ba.com or a kiosk will be able to check-in at a desk.
I now need to ask if this will include LTN, as they have only one rotation a day from theere (IOM) and my guess is that the answer = No!
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So, to those at BA, remember this day, as it marks the end of BA as we know it. This is what is known as the thin end of the wedge.
The above poster was correct regarding luggage checking. You check in at the machine, then queue to check in at the baggage check.
buy your own coffee on the exciting new BA product called 'BA connect' (I'll stick with KLM, thanks..)
The new man in charge at BA thinks he will succeed by turning it into easyjet for domestic and EU flights. Well, here's the news...easyjet does it better. Even Ryanair does it better. If I'm gonna fly budget-I will fly budget, not some half baked BA 'exciting new product' at premium prices.
Bit by bit, BA management seem determined to remove anything that marks them out as being better than their budget counterparts.
Yeah, soon, it will be free for all seating. Documentary called 'airline' to follow..
And the fares keep on going up.
No real reason to choose BA above anyone else then. Do they really think they will keep premium travellers with this approach?
I think it is time to open up the slots for LHR to more competition, to allow better services to compete. Clearly BA think the frequent flyers (I'm one) they have are all stupid, and they can whittle away the service, and still charge higher fares. BA have got this soooooooo wrong! GGrrrr!
The above poster was correct regarding luggage checking. You check in at the machine, then queue to check in at the baggage check.
buy your own coffee on the exciting new BA product called 'BA connect' (I'll stick with KLM, thanks..)
The new man in charge at BA thinks he will succeed by turning it into easyjet for domestic and EU flights. Well, here's the news...easyjet does it better. Even Ryanair does it better. If I'm gonna fly budget-I will fly budget, not some half baked BA 'exciting new product' at premium prices.
Bit by bit, BA management seem determined to remove anything that marks them out as being better than their budget counterparts.
Yeah, soon, it will be free for all seating. Documentary called 'airline' to follow..
And the fares keep on going up.
No real reason to choose BA above anyone else then. Do they really think they will keep premium travellers with this approach?
I think it is time to open up the slots for LHR to more competition, to allow better services to compete. Clearly BA think the frequent flyers (I'm one) they have are all stupid, and they can whittle away the service, and still charge higher fares. BA have got this soooooooo wrong! GGrrrr!
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Seeing that I've never used the BA machines when I've been taking a connecting flight...
Let's just say that I'm flying EDI-LHR-YVR.
Can I check in for the LHR-YVR leg using the self-service check-in?
Also, is it possible to check in online/self-service with excess baggage? Some airlines don't allow this.
Let's just say that I'm flying EDI-LHR-YVR.
Can I check in for the LHR-YVR leg using the self-service check-in?
Also, is it possible to check in online/self-service with excess baggage? Some airlines don't allow this.
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Lot of negativity here, but this can work well if it's properly organised. I regularly fly within the US where many carriers reduced check-in staff but increased the number of checkin counters.
This reduces queueing significantly and if you've checked in online (giving a better chance of getting the seat you want) then you're through in minutes. It's even reasonably quick if you're lumbered with a paper ticket.
Let's face it, everyone trying to shave costs these days, and this way also provides better service. I just hope BA will do it right - and their pax will give it a chance.
This reduces queueing significantly and if you've checked in online (giving a better chance of getting the seat you want) then you're through in minutes. It's even reasonably quick if you're lumbered with a paper ticket.
Let's face it, everyone trying to shave costs these days, and this way also provides better service. I just hope BA will do it right - and their pax will give it a chance.
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By checking in online, you can also choose to print your own boarding pass from a home, hotel or office printer
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Hey guys I travel almost weekly with BA shorthaul LGW-Man or Gla.The electronic check in is superb and the ability to print the boarding card at home even better.My company started using Jet2 on the Man route and burnt their fingers rapidly when they fell foul of Jet 2 s aggressive excess baggage policy it cost them far more than ticket face value savings.A rapid change back to BA was ordered.BA get my vote every time and still asnack and free beverage, a class act.
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Can I check in for the LHR-YVR leg using the self-service check-in?
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FR OLCI
FR have also introduced the availability of online check for internal flights in Ireland - apparently it's working okay in STN and other airports within Europe.
However, security in Dublin are refusing to scan the 'boarding cards' and so pax are not being allowed through. Consequently, some are likely to miss flights.
FR being FR though, are subsequently punishing the said pax by suggesting to them that they claim a refund from the airport authorities. Pax are also being encouraged to write to the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern and whinge to him about the fact that a second terminal will not be operated by a private group.
As usual it is the pax who suffer - FR receive payment for the flight, fail to tell pax about the 'difficulty' and pass the blame onto other people, whilst avoiding their responsibilities.
However, security in Dublin are refusing to scan the 'boarding cards' and so pax are not being allowed through. Consequently, some are likely to miss flights.
FR being FR though, are subsequently punishing the said pax by suggesting to them that they claim a refund from the airport authorities. Pax are also being encouraged to write to the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern and whinge to him about the fact that a second terminal will not be operated by a private group.
As usual it is the pax who suffer - FR receive payment for the flight, fail to tell pax about the 'difficulty' and pass the blame onto other people, whilst avoiding their responsibilities.
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Originally Posted by Hew Jaz
FR being FR though, are subsequently punishing the said pax by suggesting to them that they claim a refund from the airport authorities.
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Have used AC and BA's online check-in and BA's fast bag drop at YYZ. The Toronto FBD does what it says on the tin, especially when you see the queue of people for a 744 including multiple groups which take ages as they are often connecting to South Asia.
Wouldn't do it any other way now. As for exit row - come early and queue up I suppose, same way if you're trolling for an upgrade or whatever.
Wouldn't do it any other way now. As for exit row - come early and queue up I suppose, same way if you're trolling for an upgrade or whatever.
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Mike J
AC had plenty of staff on hand to explain the kiosks when new T1 opened at YYZ, and I believe EI did the same but I didn't witness it personally.
AC had plenty of staff on hand to explain the kiosks when new T1 opened at YYZ, and I believe EI did the same but I didn't witness it personally.
Shining Example, apparently...
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Sounds like BA need to review staffing levels if the queues are long - waiting for 50 bag-drops is hardly 'fast'. And I'd hope security will speed up as people get used to the new regs. In the US, most travellers know to strip and lube before approaching TSA so the lines move quickly.
As for emergency row seats... maybe mount a button on the ceiling above the check-in desk. If you can reach it, you can have an exit seat...
As for emergency row seats... maybe mount a button on the ceiling above the check-in desk. If you can reach it, you can have an exit seat...
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The self service machines are very good. If your on a club europe fair or a business uk ticket they will offer you the chance to take a earlier flight if there is space available. Also pax traveling to places that require APIS data can use them as they now have passport scanners fitted.
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I have used the BA online check in and printed my boarding card at home several times and it works great.
Why don't they allow you to check-in online when travelling with children yet you can use the kiosk?
Why don't they allow you to check-in online when travelling with children yet you can use the kiosk?
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How do machines Security Profile pax.?? How do they see the nervousness and sweat on Pax who have unfriendly intentions. Does the machine pick out pax who just bought a premium class ticket earlier in the day.??
How do they ask the security questions.? Is it simply a click of the interactive screen to respond.?
These and a hundred other security questions. When does a Human intervene.?
How do they ask the security questions.? Is it simply a click of the interactive screen to respond.?
These and a hundred other security questions. When does a Human intervene.?
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What about people like my old grandmother? She cannot operate a cash machine never mind use an 'automated check-in kiosk', she does however use BA domestic routes on a semi regular basis and can cope with the 'normal' check in process with the help from the staff that this entails.
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What about people like my old grandmother? She cannot operate a cash machine never mind use an 'automated check-in kiosk', she does however use BA domestic routes on a semi regular basis and can cope with the 'normal' check in process with the help from the staff that this entails.