Starting July 28, Qantas is going to be trialling a new check in system in Perth airport. The key element of this system is a new frequent flyer card that includes a smart chip, which Qantas has dubbed “Intelligent Q”. The chip allows users to simply tap their frequent flyer card at a terminal to check into a flight.
The new cards are currently being sent out to frequent flyers who fly regularly through Perth, so don’t be too disappointed if you don’t get the updated card straight away. Qantas claim that the new system will appear in other domestic terminals later this year.
Not only do the new cards allow you to check in quickly, but they also double as your boarding passes.
In addition to the new cards, Qantas are planning to introduce a smart chip enabled Q Bag Tag which will mean you don’t need to get paper bag tags printed and installed.
It’s a pretty impressive upgrade for the entire check in procedure, although there will doubtlessly be some teething issues in the early stages later this month. If anyone gets the chance to use it flying through Perth, let us know how it worked.
In the meantime, you can check out a video of the new system here.
[Qantas - Thanks Danny!]
Art Nau
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 3:22 PMI really like the idea of it
if they do it right it might be a win
francis
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 8:35 PMgreat innovation and better for the environment too!
dawdle
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 12:08 AMI’m a frequent flyer (bronze) but I never had/have a frequent flyer card. Wonder how long would it take for this service to reach Sydney?
Robert
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 9:34 AMYes, great innovation ~ can’t wait for it to reach Sydney, by that time all the ‘little’ bugs should be ironed out.
Brad
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 1:26 PMI’ve got an email from Qantas telling me to expect the new card in the mail any day now.
The thing is, checking in online (what I do now) allows me to select seats (to an extent). Not sure if this new method will let me do that and even if it does, by the time I get to the airport all the best seats will be taken.
steve
Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 3:53 PMjust do it on the iphone :)
its funny, you can do all the fun stuff on the iphone, but you still need a piece of paper to take to the flight attendant to say where you are sitting!