United, American to Automate Passenger Boarding
Taking ticketless travel a step further, American and United airlines introduced systems Tuesday that will allow passengers to use a one-stop electronic kiosk instead of having to line up in front of gate agents with a boarding pass.
Automated boarding will be available for customers with paid reservations and no bags to check.
The venture marks the first real foray into ticketless travel for American Airlines, which until now had been testing the system only on employees. It will start offering the service at 21 airports in September.
Passengers can insert an American Airlines mileage card or credit card into the electronic system and get authorization to board the plane, along with confirmation of a seat assignment. Passengers may then go to their seats without stopping at the gate.
United Airlines introduced its original ticketless approach nationwide last September. The boarding pass machines announced Tuesday are available only at the San Francisco and Los Angeles airports, but United plans to install more later this year.
The airline said it will also use roving check-ins for ticketless customers standing in lines at the Chicago, Newark, N.J., and Washington airports. With a swipe of a credit card, the customer will be allowed to proceed to the gate.
Paperless travel has become increasingly popular for domestic flights. Airlines say the service is quicker for the passenger and saves money. One leader in ticketless travel, Southwest Airlines, said it expects to save about $25 million a year thanks to the method.
The ticketless systems cannot be used on international flights because those involve customs, passports and other security issues.
Donald Carty, president of American, said the system will mean that flight attendants and gate agents will be able to concentrate on things other than collecting tickets.
American also introduced software for passengers to reserve plane tickets, hotels and rental cars over the Internet. Travelers will also be able to check flight status, arrange seating upgrades and check their frequent-flier accounts online.
Several airlines offer ticket bookings through the Internet, but American said its software will search for low fares and offers the option of speaking with a reservation agent for assistance.
The software is available only for Windows-based PCs by calling (800) AACCESS. Shipping is $6.95; there is no connection charge through December.
The Transportation Department has expressed concern that ticketless travel could mean there is little protection offered to passengers who show up for a flight only to find their reservations have been lost through human or computer error. In addition, the back of a ticket is printed with information, such as airline liability limits.
