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Technology
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Paperless boarding pass use expands throughout U.S. airports
Electronic boarding passes have been launched in airports nationwide. The latest technology allows passengers to download their boarding passes on their cell phones or mobile devices.
The boarding pass is displayed on the device with a bar code, containing encrypted passenger and flight information. TSA officials use hand-held scanners to validate the pass, and airline employees use the same kind of scanner at the gate. Travelers will still be required to show photo identification at the security checkpoint to ensure the boarding pass matches the name on the ID.
The electronic boarding pass is being piloted in 11 airports nationwide. Airports offering this capability include:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE)
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York
- Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
In addition to the electronic boarding passes, paper boarding passes continue to be accepted at all participating airports. Additional information regarding the program and participating airlines can be found on the TSA Website.
Sources: Newsweek.com; USA Today; TSA.com; The Columbus Dispatch
Staying connected at 30,000 feet thanks to Wi-Fi
Last summer, American Airlines became the first U.S. air carrier to offer in-flight broadband service to its customers, allowing them to access the Internet, send and receive email, and send text message while they fly. This service is provided by technology company Aircell LLC, which calls its airline Wi-Fi broadband service “Gogo Inflight Internet.”
Delta Air Lines, working with Aircell, is preparing to offer Gogo in its first- and economy-classes on hundreds of its planes next summer.
Canada’s largest airline, Air Canada, is expected to install broadband technology on its Airbus A319 craft used for flights to the United States, with Gogo service to begin in spring 2009.
Business travelers on private jets can also stay connected. Corporate jet manufacturers Cessna, Gulfstream, Learjet, Hawker, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, and Embraer, offer airborne Wi-Fi broadband technology as an equipment option to be installed during manufacture; or, for older planes, when temporarily taken out of service for maintenance.
Source: msnbc.com
