Airlines go Paperless

Now instead of having to wait hours in line for a paper boarding pass, passengers at certain airports may be able to download their boarding pass to their telephones. Airport officials are hoping this will save time and make a lot of passengers happy.

The Transportation Security Administration is working with airlines and passengers. They are testing out the idea and process of paperless boarding passes. So far the paperless boarding passes have only been used for people with Smartphone’s. David Staas, a mobile representative for JiWire, commented on the new technology saying “we’re becoming a much more digital society, so using Smartphone’s for paperless boarding just completes the circle.”

Paperless boarding passes have only been an option in airlines such as Asia, Europe, and Canada airlines.  Since 2007 it has taken storm in those countries and is used frequently.

Some passengers from the United States have seen some drawbacks of the new system. Walter Hopgood said “one of the first times I used one, my phone browser refreshed and I lost the boarding pass 30 seconds before boarding my flight.” Other passengers mention the drawbacks of other airlines being clueless to the new system. Another downside is if your phone losses charge while still flying, you can loose your boarding pass.

Paperless boarding passes have same a lot of time from waiting in line. It eliminates paper waste and cut backs on paper costs.

The paperless boarding passes are only currently available in 5 airports. Continental airlines are the first ever to use the new system developed by TSA. In December of 2007 Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport became the first passenger flight in the United States history to actually use paperless boarding passes. The experiment was a success. Paperless boarding is available in the following airlines: Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, and United. In Germany there are over 71 airports that have the option of paperless boarding passes.

The process of paperless boarding passes works in a simple and easy manner. If the passenger decides to go paperless, an email is sent to their email. The email consists of a two-dimensional barcode that is available for downloading onto any cell phone. Smartphone’s are the number one type of cell phone used with this new technology. Simply show identification and the barcode at any paperless supporting airline and you should be all set.