News

Hawaiian Airlines adds check-in kiosks

February 13, 2003

LAKE MARY, Fla. -- Following the lead of larger airlines like Delta and Continental, Hawaiian Airlines is introducing self-service check-in kiosks to enhance customer convenience and speed the check-in process for electronically ticketed passengers.

According to a news release, the company has installed eight TouchPort terminals, manufactured by Kinetics, Inc., at its Honolulu International Airport ticket lobby. Six terminals are also operating at Kahului International Airport on Maui.

E-ticketed customers can quickly check in for both interisland and transpacific flights, with the use of a credit card or HawaiianMiles membership card for identity purposes and flight confirmation number. By following simple touch-screen directions, customers receive boarding passes and seat assignments from the terminals, along with luggage tags from an adjacent ticket counter staffed by a customer service agent assigned to accept checked-in luggage.

In addition, customers can check in up to six hours before departure, view the aircraft's seating map and change seats if necessary, and alter their departure schedule to leave on an earlier or later flight, if available.

By next month, the company plans to install six more kiosks at three Hawaiian airports.

In the coming months, according to the release, Hawaiian plans to roll out Web site check-in and a frequent flyer debit card to "bank" and use flights the way a phone card banks minutes.

"The future of air travel depends on a quick, hassle-free airport experience," said Blaine Miyasato, Hawaiian's vice president of customer services, in the release. "This new technology is the first step in providing our customers such an experience."

David Melnik, Kinetics' founder, president and chief executive, said in the release, "Today's progressive airlines are using self-service technology to give their customers more control over their time and their air travel experiences."

Kinetics also provides check-in kiosks for Continental Airlines and kiosks and software for Northwest Airlines.