KEY POINTS:
Air New Zealand domestic travellers will from Monday be able to print bag tags, drop their luggage directly on to a conveyor belt, and get their boarding pass using their mobile phone.
The new self-service approach, designed to speed up the check-in and boarding process, will see almost 40 check-in kiosks replace many traditional service desks at Auckland airport.
Air New Zealand domestic airline general manager Stephen Jones said the $30 million streamlining project should see the average queue time drop from 15 minutes to one minute.
Customers can download a boarding pass with a barcode to their mobile phone, which can then be scanned at the kiosk and gate. Gold elite, gold and silver airpoint members will have the added option of using an electronic tag as a permanent and reusable boarding pass.
The 3cm barcode works on a radio frequency and can be attached to a mobile phone or wallet. Air New Zealand plans to keep some traditional check-in counters.
Mr Jones said he did not expect redundancies as a result of these changes. Instead, check-in staff will either move to baggage collection or roaming customer service roles.
Air New Zealand short haul airlines group general manager Bruce Parton said the changes come as a response to customer feedback.
"Our goal was to get rid of frustrating queues, cut customer waiting time and make checking in and boarding as quick and easy as possible.
"Customers will now have much greater freedom and choice."
Travellers at Auckland airport had mixed responses to the changes.
Gary Jonas said that although he welcomes the changes, he would be sticking to the traditional check-in desk. Rochelle Scott will also avoid the kiosks, saying she is not very good with machines.
Kim Twiddy said she liked the idea of queuing less.
Christchurch airport will receive the same kiosk makeover on November 17, followed by Wellington airport in early December.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
BAGS TO CHECK-IN
* Self weigh your luggage at the check-in kiosk
* Scan either your eTicket, mPass, ePass, credit card or airpoints membership card at the kiosk. Alternatively, type in your name or booking reference number. Print off your boarding pass and bag tags. You can also use your credit card to pay any additional baggage fees at the kiosk.
* Once you have attached your bag tag to your luggage, follow the signs to the bag drop area. Place your bag on to the conveyor belt.
* Before you board your flight, you will need to use the new scanners located at departure gates. Scan your boarding pass and board the plane.
* When scanning an eTicket, online boarding pass, mPass or ePass you will be issued a gate pass with a confirmed seat. Then board your flight.
NO BAGS TO CHECK IN
* If you have no bags you can go straight to the gate.
* Before you board, scan your boarding pass, eTicket, mPass or ePass at the gate scanner and you will be issued a gate pass with a confirmed seat. Then board your flight.
