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.
Ends
Issued on behalf of Real Time by The BIG Partnership. For more information please call Shona Hendry on 01224 615003 or 07739 314158.
An example of the initial SMS a passenger receives can be seen by going to http://www.aua.com/NR/rdonlyres/D875F6BF-310F-4733-8E2A-0621B8E4D757/0/handy_e51_sms_e_.pdf.
About Real Time
With unparalleled domain expertise, Real Time delivers business and technology services, solutions and niche products to the oil and gas, utilities, telecommunications, aviation and public sectors. Clients include BAA, Scottish Power and Cable and Wireless. For more information visit www.rtel.com
Real Time is part of Amor Group, a leading provider of business technology solutions. Established in May 2009 to acquire Real Time and Pragma, Amor Group has forecast revenues of £32 million and 330 staff across its Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Houston offices. For more information visit www.amorgroup.com
About Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines Group consists of Austrian Airlines, the national flag carrier, Austrian Arrows, the regional carrier, and Lauda Air, the specialist for leisure travel, and covers four continents. Last year the group carried more than 10.7 million passengers. Aircraft of various types and sizes from Boeing 777 to Fokker 70 allow optimal operations on different routes. The airline is a member of Star Alliance, a global alliance of 20 airlines.
