bmi trials paperless boarding

bmi, London Heathrow’s second largest airline, has launched an innovative new paperless boarding system, allowing customers checking in online for bmi flights to have their boarding pass delivered electronically to their mobile phone or PDA (personal digital assistant).

bmi is the first British airline to introduce the new paper-free system, which will deliver a two-dimensional barcode boarding pass to mobile phones with picture messaging (MMS) capabilities. The service is part of bmi’s commitment to reducing time spent at the airport and will assist in maintaining its position as one of the UK’s most punctual airlines.

Peter Spencer, managing director of bmi, said: “bmi’s new paperless boarding system is a significant step forward and will offer customers the opportunity to bypass check-in processes at the airport. Customers who check in online can have a boarding pass delivered straight to their mobile phone allowing them to proceed straight to security or to bmi’s fast bag drop stations if they have luggage to check-in.”

bmi’s new mobile check-in service will initially be launched on services from Edinburgh and Manchester to London Heathrow (one way) and from Belfast City to London Heathrow (return), with plans to roll the system out to more destinations on the airline’s network soon after.