Tech & Biz

Ryanair to Get Rid of Check-In Desks

by Jordan Yerman | February 21, 2009 at 02:38 pm

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Ryanair may be allowing mobile phone usage on its planes, but will be getting rid of check-in desks. Passengers will have to check in online and presumably print their tickets as well. Luggage (which Ryanair discourages) can be left at a drop-off.

Air Canada also attempts to automate the check-in process, but hasn't quite nailed it yet: a human is still required for taking luggage, even though for some reason the passenger must print the luggage tags at the touch-screen kiosk and then attach the tag while nudging her suitcase along the queue to the luggage deposit. It's even less efficient than I'm making it sound.

The point is that removing actual people from the check-in process is an invitation for FAIL.

From the start of 2010, all Ryanair passengers will need to check in online in order to confirm their flights.

Officials at the Irish airline said that by reducing its costs at airports, savings would be passed on to passengers through lower fares.