The low cost carrier Easyjet has opened its online check service following a successful trial between London Stansted and Edinburgh.

A few weeks Easyjet quietly launched a trial service allowing passengers flying between London and Edinburgh the option to check in online, print a boarding pass and present themselves at the boarding gate just 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. Passengers arriving after the 15 minute deadline may be refused travel.

How Online Check In Works

Online check in is only available for customers travelling with hand baggage. There is no fast bag drop similar to the one operated by British Airways.

When tickets are booked, it's possible to print off a boarding card that will avoid the need for checking in. You will be allocated to boarding group D which means that you will amongst the last passengers to board the plane. If you wish to avoid this then you should check in as usual at the airport.

Currently this service is available for flights from Stansted, Gatwick and Edinburgh. The airline hopes to roll the service out to most of its routes from April 2006.

Announcing the new service, Andy Harrison of easyJet said:

"easyJet’s business is a unique combination of low-costs, care and convenience and we strive to make life ever easier for our customers. With online check-in and Europe’s most generous hand-baggage allowance it is no surprise that business passengers keep flocking to us."

Ryanair recently announced that they would aim to introduce a similar service this year across its European routes.

References

Easyjet
Ryanair