LAKE MARY, Fla. and CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian low-fare leader WestJet has chosen Kinetics, a subsidiary of NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR), as its supplier of self-service hardware and software solutions for its new "Check n' Go" passenger check-in program, including both airport-based and Web-based check-in technologies.
WestJet has ordered 29 Kinetics TouchPort II self-service units, several of which are now installed and operational at Calgary, Ottawa and Edmonton airports in Canada, according to a news release.
In addition, Kinetics provided the software necessary for WestJet's Kinetics-powered self-service check-in applications to be available on multi-airline self-service kiosks at Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver airports. These common-use self-service kiosks allow passengers to check in to one of several airlines, all featured on the same kiosk, using a common airline industry technology standard adopted by WestJet.
WestJet's new Check n' Go program allows guests to check in using a credit card, flight number and name, or confirmation number. The airline also purchased Kinetics' Web check-in software applications, allowing customers to check in online and to print boarding passes before arriving at the airport. WestJet plans to deploy its Web check-in services in the first quarter of 2005.
"Our new Check n' Go program helps eliminate lines and gives our guests a more hassle-free and enjoyable airport experience," said Donald Bell, WestJet's executive vice president of customer service and co-chief operating officer. "Combined with our upcoming Web check-in service, WestJet is streamlining the check-in and boarding process and simultaneously giving control of that process back to the guest."
