Qantas introduces digital boarding passes on trans-Tasman routes

The days of queuing for printed boarding passes are over for Qantas passengers travelling between Australia and New Zealand . The airline announced Friday that customers travelling between the neighbouring countries can now use mobile check-in and digital boarding passes in a “first step towards more seamless travel across the Tasman’’. It said the technology allowed eligible customers travelling between Australia and New Zealand to finalise check-in and passport checks online and head straight to the lounge or boarding gate after passing through immigration and security. Customers with baggage will be able to be able to use dedicated bag drops and those eligible for Express Path access will have it embedded in the digital boarding pass. The system will apply to all passport holders, although some visa restrictions apply, travelling on direct Qantas marketed and operated services between Australia and New Zealand. But the airline also wants to expand the system to other international destinations. “Seamless domestic travel has been a reality since Qantas pioneered smart check-in technology in 2010, but the barriers have always been a lot higher for international flights,” Qantas International chief executive Gareth Evans said in a statement. “It’s a great example of how industry and Government working together can change what’s possible for travellers. The goal is ultimately to make this technology for international routes the ‘new normal’.’’ Qantas will initially offer the technology through its Qantas.com web and mobile sites but plans to incorporate it into its app from June. It will also start looking at progressively extending the service to other international destinations from mid-year and expects it to be installed in all relevant airports by early 2018.