Changes At Qantas: Less Fancy Seats, But No Annoying Check-In
Qantas is not standing still: even with Christmas fast approaching, they're full of big plans and promises. First up, they're cutting the number of business and first class seats on long haul flights because they think the slump in demand is here to stay, and they can save a pack of money that way. Since we don't usually get to fly those classes for that distance (though we'd like to), that doesn't bother us too much.
The next big Qantas plan sounds like something that is either very ambitious, or has already been done before—we can't figure out which. It's all about automating check-in, and therefore making it twice as fast, at least. They're spending A$40 million on a deal with IBM to get the first phase of the new system rolled out in Australian airports through 2010 and 2011, starting in Perth.
It'll start out with Frequent Flyers being re-issued with cards that have a smart chip, and passengers will just need to swipe this card across a reader and check-in will be done—no need for a paper boarding pass. It sounds like a special baggage carousel will be right there to grab the luggage, which somehow will be registered to the smart chip and won't need any stickers or tags. Futuristic or as troublesome as existing self-check services? We'll be able to find out next year.
Related Stories:
· Qantas To Make Check-In Queues A Thing Of The Past [The Age]
· Qantas To Cut First, Business Class Seats [Bloomberg]
· Qantas Airlines Coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Simon sees]
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