News

EasyJet passengers go solo at check-in

June 13, 2004

LONDON-According to a story in Financial Times, UK-based EasyJet will replace all check-in staff with automated kiosks.

The initiative has already shown some success. Last week EasyJet claimed an industry first with all 108 passengers on a flight from Nottingham East Midlands airport to Prague checked-in using the kiosk.

EasyJet Chief Executive Ray Webster said, "In due course this could revolutionize the airport process in the way that the Internet revolutionized the booking process."

The system will be rolled out in other airports across its network, which would "ultimately see kiosk-only check-in," Webster said.

While many other airlines offer self-service check-in as an alternative, Webster claims that "keeping two channels open is an unnecessary duplication and increases, rather than decreases, costs."

In addition to cutting costs with the kiosk initiative, EasyJet has reduced the number of toilets on its new Boeing aircraft from three to two in order to squeeze in an extra seat. The comapny claims that the third toilet is unnecessary because the airline offers no free food and drink during the flight.