British Airways moves towards online check-in

British Airways (BA) is to scrap traditional check-in desks for passengers on UK domestic flights from the end of next month as part of its continued investment in automated check-in systems.

From April 25, the only way for passengers on internal UK flights to check-in will be online at the ba.com website or using a self-service kiosk at the airport.

Passengers who check-in on ba.com will be able to print their boarding pass from their home or office printer up to 24 hours before their flight, which BA says will allow them to proceed immediately to the boarding gate on arrival at the airport.

Conventional check-in desks will be converted to "fast bag drop" desks for those using self-service kiosks to check their luggage in. Special assistance desks will still be available for those unable to use ba.com or the self-service kiosks.

The move is BA's first step towards simplifying procedures and upgrading facilities over the next two years ahead of its move into the new Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport. BA aims to move more than 80 per cent of its customers to self-service check-in by the time the new terminal opens in spring 2008.

Martin George, commercial director at BA, said the changes are about making the airport experience simpler and speedier for customers.

He said in a statement: "Our customers have told us that they are looking for ways to save precious time where possible, so we have developed user-friendly self-service check-in systems... to help ease their journey through the airport."