Global airline Lufthansa has selected Birmingham as a key launch market outside Germany for its pioneering mobile phone boarding pass.
Passengers from Birmingham can use mobile boarding passes on non-stop flights to Germany, as well as to most onward destinations in Europe.
The boarding pass is sent to the passenger’s internet-enabled mobile phone by email or SMS. In addition to the relevant flight data such as the passenger’s name, flight number and departure time, the boarding pass contains a 2D barcode.
This enables passengers to pass through the security checkpoints and board the aircraft without a printed paper document.
Marianne Sammann, Lufthansa general manager, UK and Ireland, said: “Selecting Birmingham as one of the key launch markets outside Germany for the mobile boarding pass clearly demonstrates just how much we value our Midlands customers. I am sure this new service will prove to be invaluable, particularly to business travellers, by making their journeys simpler, more flexible and more convenient.”
Lufthansa passengers can request an electronic boarding pass via the mobile portal by using an internet-enabled mobile device – or they can check in online via the internet.
All they need in order to identify themselves online or via the Lufthansa mobile portal is their booking code combined with the passenger name.
Alternatively, passengers also have the option of collecting a printed boarding pass at a self-service check-in terminal or at a check-in counter if they are unable to display their electronic boarding pass on their mobile.
The Birmingham launch follows the successful introduction of mobile boarding passes on all domestic German routes in the summer, and subsequently on about 1,000 daily flights out of Germany to almost 400 European destinations in September.
