Mobile check-in scheme rolled out

AIR FRANCE and KLM are extending their mobile phone boarding card system to cover most of their European flights.

The system, which allows passengers to board a flight with nothing but a mobile phone and ID, has been on trial on flights between Paris and Amsterdam since September 2008.

Passengers receive their boarding card via an SMS or MMS barcode transmitted to their phone. They are allowed to board the flight on presentation of the phone and an identity card or passport.

The digital “card” can be scanned by security staff, while making duty-free purchases and used to check in luggage.

Air France KLM marketing director Patrick Roux said: “This new service responds perfectly to the needs of independence and speed of our clients.”

Flights to the UK will not be covered by the scheme.

Photo:Flying Blue