UK-based no-frills airline, easyjet, has launched its trial of mobile boarding passes.
The new system, which is available at six airports, including Manchester, Southend, Stansted and Edinburgh in the UK, allows passengers to download a boarding pass to their iPhone or Android device via the existing easyjet app. Passengers transiting through easyjet’s bag drop desks, security checkpoints and departure gates can then use their devices to progress through scanners. During the trial, passengers will also be able to use the app to check in for their flight.
Two easyjet locations outside the UK are also offering the service during the trial period, Schipol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Nice airport in France.
Easyjet claims that the benefits of the new system include a check-in time of less than 10 seconds, and the ability to download and store boarding passes with no requirement for an Internet connection once the download has been completed.
In a statement the airline said, ‘Subject to a successful customer trial we’ll be working hard with our airport partners to roll this out to more airports. Mobile boarding passes make travel easier by allowing you to keep all your travel information in one place. No more paper or searching for a printer.’
Easyjet has announced that assuming the trial goes well there are plans to extend it later this year to include passengers using Windows Phone 7/8 and Blackberry devices.
The company’s marketing manager, Peter Duffy, said, ‘The trial will also be extended to include multiple boarding passes on the same device so that families can all check in using one or a number of mobiles, depending on their preference.’
As of April 30, easyjet no longer operates check-in desks at its airports, with all passengers required to check-in online.
