Qantas’ “next generation” check-in technology will now be expanded beyond domestic airports to key trans-Tasman ports.
So far, the technology has been rolled out across Australian airports for domestic flights. “Faster, smarter check-in has proved so popular with our frequent flyers for their domestic travel, we are now implementing stage one of our international roll out with Sydney, Auckland and Wellington,” said Alan Joyce, Qantas’ chief executive. This would involve implementing dedicated international Q Card readers for trans-Tasman flights. Eventually, trans-Tasman Q Card readers will be introduced to Melbourne, Brisbane, Queenstown and Christchurch over the course of 2012.
The new technology has been hailed as a revolutionary model of the airport of the future as it streamlines check-in and luggage drop off procedures using a combination of smart frequent flyer cards and bag tags. All frequent flier members are issued a special Q Card, embedded with an “intelligent Q” chip, which enables passengers to check in simply by scanning the card at a Q Card reader. At baggage drop off, users simply need to scan their Q Cards and their customised Q Bag Tags at automatic bag drop counters (for more about the technology, click here).
Rolling this technology out on trans-Tasman flights is the carrier’s first step towards making it available for the rest of its international network, which would not only boost the carrier’s customer satisfaction levels and reputation globally but also pave the way for other carriers to follow suit and upgrade airport experiences.
To know what new technologies other carriers have adopted so far to enhance the airport experience, click here and click here for an in-depth look at the airports of the future, which appeared in the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific July/August issue.
Alisha Haridasani
