1 December 2009

New technology for UK stations

Heathrow Express is set to launch automated check-in services for air passengers at London's Paddington station on Wednesday (December 2).

The new service will allow travellers to check in for their flights using automated self service machines, before taking the train to Heathrow.

It is the first time these common user self service machines have been used at a UK railway station.

Explaining the new service, a spokesperson for Heathrow Express said: "It's a touch screen machine, much like the ones that you use at the airport.

"You pick the airline that you're flying with and that takes you to the flight."

You can then check in for your flight, as you would at the airport, "out pops your boarding card and then you get on the train and go."

Initially only people flying with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Iberia will be able to use the service.

But other airlines will follow in the coming weeks, including British Airways, Finnair and Virgin Atlantic.

Flight Information Display Screens will also be unveiled, allowing travellers to see their flight's status before leaving central London.

Airlines have previously provided check-in services at Victoria and Paddington, but were forced to scrap the service after only a few years.

The service was offered by individual airlines, however, while the new system is offered by Heathrow Express for all airlines that wish to use it.

The check-in machines are located next to the Heathrow Express ticket office, at the top of the Heathrow Express platforms.