Oman Air, American Airlines, United Airlines boosting electronic check-in

A run of improvements by three major airlines are in place this week in individual bids to modernise and enhance the check-in process for passengers.

Although a few years behind some of its contemporaries elsewhere in the aviation section, Oman Air announced this morning it is introducing online check-in for passengers, but initially it will only be available between 24 and three hours ahead of departure.

The airline is catching up quickly with some of its regional rivals – namely Emirates – and is even pioneering some technological advances for airline passengers.

Two weeks ago the airline announced the launch of mobile services and broadband internet access for in-flight users – a combination which has yet to be launched on any other carrier.

Oman’s move follows announcements by United and American Airlines for improving mobile check-in tools.

American has extended its mobile boarding cards scheme to a further 19 airports around the US including Washington Dulles, Denver and Orlando.

Passengers are able to receive a two-dimensional and unique barcode image via their handsets for use at boarding gates.

The original scheme was unveiled in late-2008 and tested in eight major US airports.

Meanwhile, United Airlines has launched mobile check-in tools for all customers and created boarding pass technology for passengers at eight US airports including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles and, San Francisco.