Air New Zealand unveils new check-in system

Air New Zealand has unveiled a new kiosk check-in system for passengers flying to Australia.

People travelling to Australia from Auckland International Airport are now able to check themselves in.

“This brand new experience provides our customers with a more convenient and faster way to check-in,” Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims said.

“Not only is it a friendlier and more welcoming area with staff no longer stuck behind desks, but we also expect it will reduce check-in queuing times by up to 50 per cent.

“Currently passengers must check in at least 90 minutes prior to their Australian flights, but if the new process succeeds in reducing check-in time as expected, then Air New Zealand will look to reduce the 90-minute deadline.”

Passengers scan their machine-readable passports at a kiosk, and are then issued with a boarding pass, and bag tags if they are checking in bags.

Customers then take their bags to the ‘bag drop’ area, where Air New Zealand staff will scan the bag and check the passenger’s ID.

There are 18 new self-service kiosks in the economy check-in area, and six new kiosks in the premium check-in area.

Air New Zealand passengers able to use the new check-in process are those travelling to an Australian destination with: a New Zealand or Australian passport; any passport with a machine readable zone on their passport; or any passenger on another passport type holding a valid electronic travel authority (ETA).

The airline will be progressively introducing new kiosks at its Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch international check-in areas over the next nine months.

The new check-in process is similar to that introduced at Air New Zealand’s main domestic terminals from 2008.