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Alaska Airlines Introduces Wireless Check-In
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1/24/2001 10:35 a.m.
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SEATTLE -- Alaska Airlines has become the nation's first airline to allow customers to check-in for flights using wireless handheld devices such as web-enabled cell phones and Palm Pilots.
This wireless capability is being used in Seattle by a select group of flyers, but access to wireless check-in will be expanded to other airports and customers in the coming weeks.
"Basically, this allows customers to check in for a domestic flight from any location," said Steve Jarvis, Alaska's staff vice president of e-commerce. "Wireless check-in is one more step in giving our customers total control, whether they are using wireless access or are on a PC at their home or office."
This is the latest milestone in Alaska's industry-leading effort to make the travel experience more convenient. Since September, Alaska customers have been able to retrieve flight information, flight schedules and Mileage Plan information by wireless means.
Alaska Airlines worked with Everypath, which provided the wireless solutions, to create a system in which customers with a variety of wireless devices can interact with Alaska's Web site. San Jose based Everypath is the leading software and services provider for secure and scalable mobile solutions.
Wireless check-in is a free service that will be available by visiting the carrier's Web site at www.alaskaair.com for download instructions.
An industry leader in online technology, Alaska became the first U.S. carrier to sell tickets online via the Internet in 1995, and in September 1999 it set another first with the introduction of online check-in. Alaska customers have been able to purchase tickets, check in and print their boarding pass online from their home or office, and now with the introduction of the wireless technology, they may check in for their flight with a wireless device on the way to the airport.
For reservations go to www.alaskaair.com, call Alaska's toll-free reservations line at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522) or call your travel agent. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.
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