world first as Austrian airlines extends real time's paperless mobile check-in solution

Austrian Airlines already uses Real Time’s FirstPass™ boarding solution, which allows boarding passes to be sent directly to passengers’ mobile phones.

However, Real Time’s latest innovation has removed the need for passengers to go online to complete their check in. Passengers are simply sent a text message inviting them to check-in for their flight, offering them a choice of an aisle or window seat, which can be selected simply by replying ‘A’ or ‘W’ to the message. An IATA mobile boarding pass is then sent directly to their mobile, allowing the passenger to go straight to security when they arrive at the airport.

Passengers can now further relax or spend time on business knowing that their check in can be completed with three button presses on their mobile phone.

Austrian Airlines serves 130 destinations in 66 countries and has now introduced SMS check-in on the whole network where web check-in is also available

Chief Technical Officer Alaistair Deacon said: “This is a world first and opens up new ways for airlines to operate check in. Once you have an SMS dialogue with passengers, the possibilities are endless. It allows you to introduce new processes and ways of working to streamline your operation and differentiate on service.”

David Reszner, Product Development & Management at Austrian Airlines said “We are continually striving to empower our passengers and enhance the overall customer experience. Real Time’s ability to continually innovate combined with their deep understanding of aviation operations helps us retain our position as the airline of choice in our market.”

Real Time is widely recognised as a leader in streamlining airport operations through the application of innovative technology solutions. Real Time’s successful boarding card scanning solution, RT-Scan™, is also in operation across a number of UK and European airports, while its RT-Queue™ Solution is used to produce real time queuing statistics by tracking passengers’ Bluetooth signals throughout the terminal.

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 13-Jul-09