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Qantas commenced its trial of the ‘Next Generation Check-in’ at its Perth domestic terminal on July 29, which CEO Alan Joyce says will dramatically reduce check-in times, and eliminate queues for passengers.
As part of the trial, 100,000 frequent flyers who regularly travel through Perth have been issued with new cards embedded with an ‘intelligent Q’ radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, which acts as a permanent boarding pass. Passengers with the new cards will simply swipe their card over a dedicated Q Card reader to complete check-in. A priority security lane has also opened at Perth featuring improved preparation areas and new walkthrough equipment to support faster processing through the screening area.
Joyce said that the new technology will help to improve the airline’s level of customer service. “Next Generation Check-in will provide a new level of service to our customers with customer service agents coming out from behind their desks and circulating throughout the terminal to assist customers,” he said.
Qantas will roll out the technology at its Sydney domestic terminal later in 2010, while it will be rolled out in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra during 2011.
