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Alaska Airlines revealed details on its travel advisories page today around the future of its boarding passes. The carrier plans to remove kiosks ability to print boarding passes and ask passengers to either use its app, print boarding passes at home, or see an agent to have them issued.
It seems Alaska Airlines finally implemented something it threatened to do in 2023: Eliminate the ability to print boarding passes using airport kiosks.
You'll need to print your boarding pass at home or use the Alaska mobile app. pic.twitter.com/7RkrcdPRxm
— JT Genter (@JTGenter) March 13, 2024
JT Genter first noted the change in his post above. Alaska notes:
Our airport kiosks no longer print boarding passes—this means you’ll need to check in and access your boarding passes through the Alaska Airlines mobile app, from a computer, mobile device, or print them at home. If you’re checking bags, you’ll use our new bag tag stations to print bag tags, add a bag, or pay for your checked baggage. If you are unable to obtain your boarding pass before arriving at the airport, please see an agent for a paper version. Learn more about our streamlined lobby experience.”
I get that there are costs associated with operating kiosks, but I can’t imagine they cost more than having staff to accommodate frustrated passengers. There will certainly be some. I haven’t printed a boarding pass for a flight within the United States in many years and find that globally almost every airline’s app gets the job done. Alaska is investing $2.5 billion in its airport lobbies. It wants to get passengers from check in and through security in five minutes or less. This seems like a lofty yet admirable goal.
Anthony’s Take: Another part of the classic airport experience with paper boarding passes is going away. I wonder how long it will be before other airlines follow suit.
(Featured Image Credit: Alaska Airlines.)
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2 comments
It just makes check in longer because I always want paper
This will be GREAT for elderly people!