MilesBuzz! - Wireless Check-in

Alaska Airlines announced (http://www.alaskasworld.com/newsroom/asnews/ASstories/AS_20010124_102949.asp) that they plan to have wireless check-in by Q2 2001.

Has anyone heard of other airlines working on the same thing? Any speculation on how something like this would work? Thoughts?


I searched the board for similiar topics, but if this topic has already been beaten to death, please forgive the post.

Originally posted by marc1:
...Has anyone heard of other airlines working on the same thing? Any speculation on how something like this would work? Thoughts?

I believe they will use the functionalities of the Palm VII, Palm V with OmniSky, and WAP enabled phones...

I am a software engineer, and specialize in internet e-commerce, wireless, and security.. If they already have an online check-in system, it is quite easy to allow a wireless device to tie into their "back-end"...

Originally posted by marc1:
Has anyone heard of other airlines working on the same thing? Any speculation on how something like this would work? Thoughts?

I did read the article and found:

"Basically, this allows customers to check in for a domestic flight from any location.." Although this is quite optimistic, the claim of "from any location" is stretching a little too much into the sky... This will be limited to the coverage of the device(s) being used to access the system..

For users of the Palm VII, you may look at:
http://wireless.palm.net/coverage/

For users of the OmniSky device, you may look at:
http://www.omnisky.com/products/coverage.jhtml

Users of WAP enabled phones, will have to check the coverage for their carrier(s).

It is more often than not, executives, and Vp's use these terms to better market their product(s) to the public, as a vast majority of the public is not too technically savvy..

LH does it already with WAP phones.

Sure, but what about those worthless questions about keeping an eye on your bags, and checking your ID?

LH only checks ID if required to enter the destination country :-)

AA will be offering wireless check in by the end of May in Austin and San Jose as a test market.