Qantas adds self-service check-in kiosks at Sydney Airport T1

Is it for all flights?

I always thought that one of the tasks of check-in staff was to check the passenger's passport and visa to ensure that the airline could successfully take the passenger to the flight's destination. How would that task be done by a kiosk?

This is fairly common across the world - love using it with Cathay in HKG. Kiosks are more than capable of checking passports (just like smart gate).

In the US the passport is checked at the kiosk by sliding it in like the smart gate. I expect it wont apply to the US because of the interview process

The wins keep coming for QF, well done!

OK count me as someone who loves self check-in. It's a simple process that my elderly parents have no problem with. There is nearly always an attentive staff member nearby who can pick who may need a little extra help. I nearly always step up to a free kiosk and a free bag drop. I think it is a great improvement by Qantas and in line with what other airlines are doing.

It has been in use in BNE for quite a while for all passengers. The plan there is to reduce the check in staff to one or two who can help with issues. The moment you place the passport, most of the process is pretty straight forward. Like anything, this may affect the not so frequent traveller and elderly and people with language barriers!

People are commenting on the details of visas, destination address, passports and US “security interview”:

I sincerely hope they don't put attendants with KPIs in the checkin hall directing all and sundry that they MUST use the self service checkin kiosks, like they did in the domestic terminals.

I was horrified to see one a few years ago telling a 80 year old couple lined up at the manned checkin counter, who had no clue what a computer even was, that they MUST checkin using the kiosk.

Then she tried it on me, and I told her where to go.

Love this. Great move Qantas. Oh and to all the “but what about......” questions, kiosk checkin for international isn’t exactly cutting edge, it’s been around for a while at other cities. But I will say IMPO Qantas do kiosk & bag drop better than any other.

Spoke to the check in folk last week whilst heading to Europe. They are mixed about it. Standing up for hours at a time. Less interaction with PAX. Being a QFF Platinum I like the idea of a priority check in and that interaction. But progress and Mr. Joyce wait for no one...

Wonder why all the discussion is on US travel, which is relatively straight forward. The key question is how it will deal with other countries for which visas are needed because the Qantas has to not only sight the visa but record the number in the system - e.g., Chinese visas - before they let you board. Presumably it will work as they do elsewhere in the world by directing you to staff where the flight ends in a country for which Australians require visas.

No, not a fan of auto check in or auto baggage drop but then only time I have endured this process is in US, where Customer Service is wanting at best!!

Qantas & any most airlines in Australia are more Customer oriented than in US so I don't see a problem.

Comments about Passports, Visa etc are not an issue, info is entered when booking flight so should not required again, if info not available passport reader will direct the person to "another line".

Having said that, if going to US is irrelevant what is done anywhere else, US will do, what US does best!!

Give me a person at a check in desk anytime. Talking to a robotic neutral machine does nothing for me. Looking at the above posts, it appears I am in the minority.

ICM Airport Technics (ICM) is the provider of most of the technology in the solution. We provide:

• Airline Application for self-tagging check-in kiosk
  This is a brand new application, which is a major enhancement of the previous version.
  Exceptions such as visa and other checks are handled by a “Staff Assist” mode, which allows the passenger to be assisted by a staff member at the kiosk.
  This is much more convenient than being redirected to a separate manned counter.
  If bags need to be checked in, the kiosk prints the bag tag(s) and the passenger applies the tag to the bag.
• Auto Bag Drop (ABD) hardware and software
  The self-service bag drop unit allows the passenger to drop off their bag without assistance from an airline staff member.
  It weighs the bag, reads the bag tag, checks the bag for conveyability and processes it into the baggage system.
  In some airports, for example Changi Singapore, face-to-passport biometrics is integrated into the solution.

Have used the (Air)NZ self check in 4 times now, 3 internationals and 1 NZ domestic.

I just walked past the new checkin area at T1 and they have signs up directing US bound travelers to the standard assisted checkin desks.

I for one love DXB. I worked there for 11 years and I have to say that all the armchair experts out there about safety/lgbt treatment/treatment of women do not know the place. Armchair experts. Yes Emiratis can sometimes be aloof but I worked with many of them and I find them to be good people with attributes that many of we Australians should aspire to.

Contrary to misguided belief expressed here, there are many Australian businesses thriving in the UAE, particularly in Dubai. Official stats show that Australians are a significant and growing proportion of tourists visiting the Emirates.

On a personal note, I much prefer DXB terminal 3 concourses to the shabby and dated offering in Singapore, where I often stop on my way to the UAE, Africa, EU and USA. The only really good part of Changi is the Emirates lounge.

Also I'm delighted that ultra shabby and rude Qantas will no longer pass through Dubai. As an airline that has consistently disappointed me in the past, I will never step inside Q metal again. And I have many a belly laugh when I read the constant carping about poor Qantas behaviour by self-confessed Q frequent flyers. Wake up people!

Yes Emirates is certainly not perfect. Some things definitely need improvement. CR in particular, but Qantas is equally woeful there.

The best thing about Qantas no longer using Dubai is that there will be less QF plats cluttering up the superb F lounges in concourses A and B. Another punishment of loyal and misguided Qantas FFs who will only fly QF metal. Good luck I say. I'm EK platinum and the treatment EK gives its premium passengers is much better than the poor Qantas effort. I certainly don't miss what Qantas does to its misguidedly loyal customers

A few weeks on: The new self check in at T1 Sydney is causing some issues. OK if it is a straightforward route and name. However, multiple names, hyphens, groups and anything else the system doesn't recognise? - go to the back of a very long queue to an under-staffed counter. More QF cost saving at our convenience.