Qantas will encourage passengers to check in earlier for domestic flights in an effort to get more flights away on time, although 'premium' passengers travelling only with hand luggage will be given an extra 10 minutes' grace.
The new scheme kicks in on 5 August 2015, and here's what you need to know.
If you're flying without checked baggage, as so many domestic business travellers do, you'll have to check in for your flight 30 minutes prior to departure instead of the current 15 minute window.
But with Qantas' tap-and-go check-in towers available to all frequent flyers at the airport, plus online check-in through the airline's iPhone and Android smartphone apps, Apple Watch app and three-click mobile service, the tighter timeline shouldn't be an issue.
Business class passengers – and Qantas Frequent Flyers brandishing a Gold, Platinum or Platinum One card, as well as Qantas Club members – who are in 'hand luggage only' mode will also be allowed to check-in 20 minutes before departure (which is about the time the flight would be boarding anyway).
If you've got bags to be checked in for that domestic flight, the 30 minute window remains in place.
'Check-in on time, arrive on time' is the marketing mantra.
Qantas says the earlier cut-off will speed the processing of preflight paperwork, and that "less than two per cent of customers" are currently checking in during the 15-30 minute window.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
GOOD...passengers are given all the info/times when they book a flight...if YOU choose to disregard the airline recommendations/times, then YOU deserve to be left behind, due to the consequences of YOUR action/inaction. YOUR poor/non-existent time management is not the fault of the airline..and some out there need to stop blaming the airline for their 'inability' to check in on time, due to your 'excuses' that are outside of the airlines control...as stated, it really only afffects under 2% of travellers...and those travellers are usually the ones that blame everybody else for their 'issues'
End of rant...happy Friday :)
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Feel better now..?
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
yep i do...and apparently many many many others do too!! :)
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 580
i don't remember seeing so many thumbs up to a single comment on here
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 352
Good move QF, plenty of ways for people to check in these days, and the 2% can use one of those methods or just learn to get to the airport earlier.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
The Australian seemed to think that QF Club members were included in the list of premium pax. Is this true?
20 Apr 2011
Total posts 19
Yes, as per the QF email sent to me as a QC member. In fact, any passenger able to access the Premium Service Desk to check-in gets the 10 minute grace period, subject to having no bags to check-in.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
So it would possibly include Silver and other oneworld status holders?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jul 2014
Total posts 115
Silver, NO.
Status holders with OW should get the same benefits.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 439
I look forward to laughing at the reviews on Skytrax where passengers blame their inability to manage time on Qantas.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Why 'look forward'? There are plenty of those already.
Air New Zealand - NZ*E
17 May 2015
Total posts 93
On time departure is for the benefit of everyone - not just the airline. Most airlines try their their very best to achieve this - we are the travelling public need to be responsible for our side of the bargain too. I take over 80 commercial fights a year and have not missed one because I plan ahead and allow plenty of time - and as a premium ff I don't feel that any airline should wait around for me and I don't see it as a perk to be treated any different. Airlines have a business to run and I expect everyone to be treated the same here - if you are not on time we go without you - simple as that.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
AMEN :)
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