Cathay Pacific Airways, with the help of Sabre, has launched an online check-in service for passengers.
Cathay Pacific’s Web-based check-in was designed to speed up the boarding process and reduce long lines at airports by allowing passengers to check-in before leaving for the airport. The new online check-in service can be used up to 90 minutes before flight departure, and boarding passes must be collected at least 60 minutes before departure.
Passengers can also check-in luggage when collecting the boarding pass. Users will also be given their confirmed seat number 48 hours prior to departure. The online check-in function is available through Cathay`s corporate Web site and is currently available to all Asia Miles and Marco Polo Club members and their companions.
“This new service will be extremely useful for our passengers and will save them crucial time at the airport and give them the certainty of a confirmed seat. It is yet another e-Business first for Cathay Pacific,” said Robert Cutler, Cathay Pacific director for service delivery.
Sabre has been working with Cathay Pacific to develop the online check-in solution that uses the Sabre PassTouch self-service technology platform. Sabre launched PassTouch in November as part of its Aerodynamic Traveler suite of passenger processing applications designed to expedite the airline check-in process and reduce long lines at airports.
“Our employees worked closely with Cathay`s staff to ensure that this particular technology solution complied with Cathay`s new e-Business strategy and Web architecture and infrastructure plan,” said Joe Saliba, acting president of outsourcing and software solutions for Sabre. “Sabre is committed to providing the best leading-edge technological solutions to fit the specific and unique needs of our customers.”
The next phase of the online check-in product will include additional features for the convenience of Cathay`s passengers, such as a graphical interactive seat map and seat change capabilities. Sabre will continue to work with Cathay to develop a suite of new products and services that support Cathay`s goal of being Asia`s leading e-Business airline.
“This project is a very good example of Cathay leveraging their strategic relationship with Sabre and benefiting from Sabre`s broad portfolio of airline solutions,” said Mary Chan, Cathay Pacific e-business project manager. “Sabre put together a competent team to deliver the product in a very short time frame.”
Cathay`s online check-in is part of the suite of new e-business services by Cathay Pacific that includes notiFLY Flight Paging, which allows passengers to enter flight details via the Web and get a reminder via email and can also warn if the flight is early, or delayed by more than 30 minutes. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, a mobile phone text message version of notiFLY is available.
Airlines can also use Sabre PassTouch as a self-service kiosk that allows passengers to perform all of the check-in functions without the assistance of a ticketing agent. PassTouch is equipped with multi-media capabilities such as a touch-screen platform and allows each airline to customize the kiosk with their brand identity. The system provides real-time network connectivity with the airline`s reservations and departure control systems. Functions include check-in, ticketing and reservations, and issuance of boarding passes and bag tags.
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