Qantas gives domestic flyers smartcard passes

Qantas has announced plans to issue smartcards to some of its domestic frequent flyer passengers that will enable the card to act as a permanent boarding pass and baggage tag.

Speaking at the National Aviation Press Club, Qantas chief Alan Joyce said CityFlyer passengers could swipe their card on a reader "and head to a simplified baggage drop, or straight through the security process to their departure gate, or Qantas lounge."

He did not say who would supply the cards nor what technology would enable passengers to skip the usual security queues.

Qantas has been contacted for comment.

But Joyce did say that "while the process will be simple, the technology behind it will ensure the full range of security checks remain solidly in place."

"With this new personal boarding pass and permanent bag tag, checking in baggage will no longer be a chore - no more baggage stickers and weigh-ins at the desk," he said.

Perth passengers would be first to benefit from the new check-in, which was due to be rolled out mid next year. It would then be rolled out to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.

Sydney's rollout was said to start "towards the end of next year" with Melbourne following in "early 2011" followed by the remaining capirak cities.

But the system did not apply to bronze frequent flyers or non-frequent flyers. Joyce promised they would separately see "significant upgrades to their check-in arrangements, including hosted kiosks and rapid bag drop".