Airlines want to standardize mobile check-in

Link: Cellphone check-ins get a global standard with bar codes – International Herald Tribune

Ewan spotted in the International Herald Tribune a couple of days ago. It was only a matter of time before some bright spark figured that the airlines should really get together and figure out a standard to cover mobile check-in.

The trade association representing international airlines announced a global standard Thursday that could speed the adoption of cellphone check-in services using bar codes, and eliminate paper tickets.

Airlines have been slow to adopt a system based on mobile technology because of competing regional formats. The formats permit a passenger to register a phone during booking to receive a text message containing a bar code that becomes a boarding pass. The bar code can then be read directly from the phone’s screen.