STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 19, 2002
SYDNEY - Qantas, Australia's leading airline, is adding self-service check-in and baggage kiosks to its menu of product developments for 2002 in an attempt to trim customer check-in times.
The airline recently announced the kiosk program would be part of a series of customer-oriented initiatives that would take place next year. Airplane configurations, the introduction of new Boeing 737s to the fleet, and revamped menu services are also part of the changes.
Domestic customers will be able to access self-service check-in kiosks to check in and receive boarding assignments. In addition, several airports will feature self-service baggage kiosks that will allow flyers to check in their bags and head straight to the gate.
Qantas will begin installing the kiosks in the middle of 2002. The airline did not disclose how many kiosks would be deployed, where they would be located, or how much the project would cost the international carrier.
"Customers can expect faster check-in times thanks to the self-service kiosks we are installing," John Borghetti, Qantas executive general manager of sales and marketing, said in a news release. ""In fact, it will take customers less than a minute to check in and choose or change a seat."
A number of international carriers, including British Airways and Lufthansa, offer flyers the option of self-service check-in kiosks. Most North American-based airlines, including Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), American Airlines (NYSE:AMR), and Air Canada (NasdaqNM:ACNAF), feature check-in kiosks.
