New check-in system in the bag for Cathay
Passengers will benefit from streamlined procedures enabled by integrated IT network, the airline says, as it catches up with rivals
After years of underinvestment in its information technology, Cathay Pacific Airways will migrate to a new check-in system by the end of next year.
"Now, if a passenger asks for an upgrade [at check-in], we have to call someone [from the ticketing department] and ask the passenger to go to another desk," said Adrian Harley, the airline's airport general manager.
After the implementation of the new system, the customer can obtain a seat upgrade and process payment at the same counter.
Hong Kong, as a typhoon-prone city, must cope with flight disruptions during the storm season, often resulting in chaos at the airport.
Passengers will benefit if information can be given to them through e-mail or messages, allowing them to change from one flight to another by simply pressing a button
Cathay hopes the new system will allow stranded passengers to receive flight updates, alternative flight choices and even book the next possible flight through smartphones or tablets. That will help alleviate the stress caused by long queues and the questions that often go unanswered about delayed or cancelled flights.