check in with your mobile

November 15, 2008 at 2:55 am Leave a comment

Flash your phone – after Continental and Delta, American Airlines is the latest airline joining the fray to issue mobile boarding passes. However, a range of conditions apply – only available on domestic flights with no change in planes, applies to only passengers traveling alone etc.

Initially, the facility will be limited to passengers traveling from Los Angeles International and John Wayne Orange County airports. If the trials conducted with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are successful, it will be extended to other U.S. airports.

Looks like it’s going to be quite a wait before mobile ticketing goes mainstream.

When customers check in for their flight using American’s Web site, AA.com – either the desktop or mobile versions – they have the option to receive their boarding passes on their cell phones or PDAs. If this option is selected, they will get an e-mail with an Internet link to their boarding pass. The mobile boarding pass contains a 2-D barcode that can be scanned at TSA security checkpoints and at American Airlines gates. At the airport, customers simply scan their cell phone or PDA screen when going through Security (proper identification must be presented) and when boarding, just as they would a traditional paper boarding pass.