Online Check In

On the 16 June Online check in went live, however no big launch will happen until Autumn 2004.

[Nottingham Nick]

Declan

Thanks for that.

How will it work? Is there a link to the VS (or any other) website that explains it, yet?


Nick

The soft launch and testing has been delayed until mid July, was may, then early June, them mid June........Kiosk check in to follow

Lhr official launch still due autumn for all routes except LOS/PHC and inbound from LOS/PHC/DEL. 2 Bag drops at LHR and 1 at other stations.

Out of curiosity, which classes are losing desks for the fast bag drop???

quote:Originally posted by anteo
Out of curiosity, which classes are losing desks for the fast bag drop???

Well, they are adding new desks anyway, but the bag drop
desks can operate as a dual purpose. Like cabin baggage only desk etc.

how early can you checkin online?
Will VS operate this in a simular way to BA?

Yey! I used on-line check-in with America West and Continental in the US earlier this year, and it was so much easier than having to queue.

quote:Originally posted by Jonathan
how early can you checkin online?
Will VS operate this in a simular way to BA?

I imagne any time that day. Yes like BA, but we have a nice
lady on the screen helping you, which is much nicer!

Maybe they'll offer a choice of online assistant!
That is great news though!
Although Gatwick have offered a twilight checkin for ages LHR was a pain if you needed to check in for a late JFK flight.

This makes Heathrow a bit more easier for me!

BA have announced their version yesterday as well:-

Check out your bonus BA Miles when you check in online.

Dear ,

As an Executive Club member who really values your time, you should experience our Online Check-in service next time you fly British Airways.

In fact, there's never been a more rewarding time to start using Online Check-in. For a limited period you can earn bonus BA Miles when you check in online for a British Airways flight.

Between now and 23 July 2004 every time you use this timesaving check-in service, you'll earn 250 bonus BA Miles for each sector you fly, up to a maximum of 2,500 bonus BA Miles, putting you even closer to your next reward flight.

For example, if you fly return from London Heathrow to Paris and check in online for your inbound and outbound journeys, you'll earn 500 bonus BA Miles. That's 250 bonus BA Miles for each online check-in. See below for full terms and conditions.

As an Executive Club member, you can check in online from your home or office PC from one up to 24 hours before departure*. So you can choose your own preferred seat well in advance and from the comfort of your armchair.

Once you have checked in online you can then print your own boarding pass** before you leave for the airport, which means you can speed through check in helping you make the most of your valuable time.

Finish your express check-in experience by dropping any baggage off at our Fast Bag Drop+ facilities.

To check in online now and see how easy it is to use, visit http://ba.com/checkin

I hope you enjoy your bonus BA Miles and your journey is even easier than usual.

Yours sincerely,

Sharon Callaghan

Manager, Executive Club

I always use the machine when I fly BA, have done for years
it makes me laugh, they have hundreds of people in the queue
for normal check in, and I'm done in 2 minutes !

I was very impressed with the BA self service check-in. My ticket was paid on someone else's credit card yet I was able to use my own as proof of ID at the machine. I did not have my booking reference as the page i printer out of Expedia did not have it for some reason. The assistant told me to type in ZZZZZZ or XXXXXX (i cant remember excatly). Anyway amazingly it found my booking and I changed my seat to an exit row seat. I was amazed it found my booking from that.

Its so much easier using them than the regular check-in desks. I hope the VS system as is simple.

I'm curious how online check in would impact opportunities for op upgrades. A few times I have been offered an op upgrade to Upper when PE was full. I wonder if by checking in online, you'd lose the opportunity because you would never talk directly to an agent.

Good point - although sometimes your pre upgraded before check in so you should just get a nice surprise when you notice your seat allocation:D

I guess it depends how overbooked the flight is!

On BA if you are pre-approved for an op upgrade (which accounts for about 95% of upgrades) then the self check in will allocate you the appropriate seat in the next class. Most upgrades at check-in are pre-approved. Only whne everyone has checked in do they sometimes need to move people around and this is done at the gate or lounge.

[buns]

Declan

Thanks for the news.

I have never found any great queues when checking in for either for PE or UC at both LHR or LGW so as Mrs Buns and I are alwys carrying luggage that has to be checked in, I suspect we may not use it.

Nevertheless great idea and you never know we might just give it a try.

Buns

You will be able to check in for your flight 24 hours before departure.

Anyone with a booking will be able to do it not just flying club members!

Is it via the normal VS website. Had a quick look but couldn't fnd anything!

Alex

[mitchja]

Online and self-service check-in is the only positive thing going for BA - it means you can avoid the nasty check-in queues.

I have also tried BMI's self check-in several times but only ever managed to get it to work once. I think BMI have jumped the gun a bit as their online check-in was taken off-line after only a few days when it was launched.

So let's not see VS rush into this without thorough testing.

Regards

quote:Originally posted by arfortune
Is it via the normal VS website. Had a quick look but couldn't fnd anything!

Alex

I too have looked on the VS website and can't find anything on this subject. I also did a search, but again nada.

We are flying MAN - MCO on Saturday (3/7), with a connecting flight late on 2/7 from GLA - MAN. Does anyone know if on line check in applies to this route? If so, can you give me a link to the OLCI?

Many thanks.

Alex