Lufthansa Starts Boarding via Mobile Phone in Canada

Since April 1, 2009 passengers departing Vancouver, BC, are able to use Lufthansa's new mobile boarding pass. Since its introduction on all German routes and on many of its European flights last summer, the number of passengers opting to have their mobile boarding pass sent to them by email or text message has grown steadily. At the last count, more than 75.000 passengers per month were using an electronic boarding pass. Vancouver is Lufthansa’s first non-European destination to make use of this convenient service. Lufthansa is thus the first airline worldwide to give passengers traveling on an intercontinental flight the option of receiving a mobile boarding pass with a 2D barcode on their mobile phone.

Vancouver passengers with an Internet-enabled phone can now check in online at mobile.lufthansa.com and receive their electronic boarding pass by email or per text message. The mobile boarding pass contains the relevant flight data, such as the name of the traveler, flight number, gate number and departure time, plus a 2D barcode. Passengers travelling with carry-on bags can then proceed straight to the gate, where the 2D barcode on their mobile boarding pass is read by a scanner. All other passengers check their baggage at a drop-off counter before continuing to the gate.

"The mobile boarding pass takes our pre-flight services to a new level. It enables passengers to start their trip more relaxed and offers a convenient and faster way to pass through the necessary procedures at the airport," said Peter Vierrath, General Manager for Lufthansa in Canada. "With this paperless boarding service, Lufthansa again showcases its leadership position in introducing innovative solutions for its customers."

After a short pilot phase, the mobile boarding pass will be subsequently introduced at other Lufthansa airports in Canada and around the world in early summer.