Electronic boarding passes catching on fast

Airlines are scrambling to offer electronic boarding passes following Australian government authorisation for the process when boarding international flights.

International travellers departing Australia will now be able to check into their flights on their phones. The move, alongside digital recognition at immigration, will help speed travellers through airports.

The changes let passengers show their boarding pass on a mobile device. The breakthrough comes after several trials by the Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.

“Travellers will now be able to show their boarding pass on a mobile device instead of using a paper boarding pass, while following the normal border clearance path at the airport,” Australia’s Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, confirmed.

Tudge said the move towards automation at the border was a key focus for the Government.

“Last financial year more than 21.4 million travellers were cleared through the border departing Australian international airports. This number will continue to rise,” he said.

“These increasing volumes mean we are always looking for ways to clear legitimate travellers efficiently and seek out those of interest to law enforcement.

“This change will cut out the need to visit the check-in desk to show your passport and collect your paper boarding pass.

“Australia is a world leader in seamless travel and this move will allow travellers to move across our border smoothly.”

Mobile boarding passes will complement capabilities such as SmartGates which provide a faster, simpler border process for travellers while maintaining the security of Australia’s border.

Departure SmartGates process more than 73% of travellers departing Australia, reducing processing times and promoting ease-of-travel.

The Department of Home Affairs has run several successful trials allowing travellers to use mobile boarding passes for international flights.

The department urged travellers to contact their chosen airline for more information on the change and implementation.

Airlines are catching on fast. A selection below:

Qantas
If you haven’t already checked in via qantas.com or the Qantas app, auto check-in will send an SMS inviting you to access your boarding pass, making it available on your mobile device. Just make sure you update your mobile number in manage booking or Frequent Flyer profile before flying. Qantas adds that this service is currently only available for flights within Australia, but it won’t take long.

Tigerair
If using Web Check-in on a mobile device, you can now view and save your mobile boarding pass directly to your phone and simply show this when boarding your flight at the airport. Alternatively, you can also check-in via our Web Check-in on Desktop or tablet and email yourself the boarding passes. Please open the email and click the link on your mobile device to view your mobile boarding pass.

Air New Zealand
With online check in you can print your boarding pass before the airport or use mobile boarding passes in the Air NZ mobile app, so you’ll only need to use the kiosk or counter if you have luggage to check in.

KLM
An electronic boarding pass contains all your flight details and a barcode that will be scanned at the airport during boarding. This means that you do not need to print this boarding pass. In combination with your passport or proof of identity, you can get through all the checks at the airport. As with a paper boarding pass, the electronic boarding pass makes it possible to use all the facilities at the airport. Check if an electronic boarding pass is available for your departure airport.

Written by Peter Needham