Recently, the Air New Zealand app has added a new passport scanning and smart passport service to its smartphone app. This will benefit travellers arriving at the airport with expired passports.
The added functionality means that travellers using the airline’s app can scan their passports and store their information, allowing them to receive automatic notifications when it is time for the passport to be renewed. The scanned document can also be used at check-in.
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It is recorded that about 550 of Air New Zealand’s customers show up for flights with an expired passport per month, while about 10 per cent incorrectly type in passport information during online check-in.
However, with this additional feature in the app, an effort is being made to integrate secure scanning into Airline booking systems.
The Air New Zealand App – What to find
- You can access real-time flight information, including up-to-date gate and seat information, boarding and departure times, and more.
- Also, now turn your phone into your ticket. Scan your mobile boarding pass to print checked bag tags at the kiosk, board your aircraft, and enter the Air New Zealand lounge if eligible.
- With the app, you can now hold up to 9 boarding passes for your group or family under the same booking. Bookings with infants cannot currently be supported.
- You can also check online from anywhere and use your boarding pass straight from the app or send it to Apple Wallet.
- Turn on the notifications that remind you of key flight information and let you know if anything changes.
- Also, order coffee from your phone and hear the beep when it’s ready to collect.
- Get quick links in to book or change flights on the fly.
- Add flight details to your calendar and share them with others.
- Know other valuable tips, such as what to pack with weather notifications for your destination.
- Also, track your Airpoints Dollars balance from your phone and find Airpoints Partners so you can earn while on the ground.
- Get great deals on the go – check out the Best Fares section
- If you need a bag for your next trip, you can pay with a saved card or use another valid card when adding a bag to your eligible domestic flight straight from the app.
When travelling, all your biggest stress factors are relieved, so prioritising features that offer genuine benefits and convenience is critical.
Integrating smartphone camera technology into this app paves the way for adding secure credit card scanning to the airline booking systems and longer-term developments such as selfie-boarding – using biometrics and facial recognition to verify customers at the gate.
Alongside the passport scanning function, the app can now also allow up to nine boarding passes to be downloaded for groups of travellers, offering added baggage purchasing options.
You can download the app free from the iTunes store if you own an iPhone and from the Google Play Store if you have an Android smartphone.
This app requires iOS 8.0 or later compatible iOS devices and 4.1 and up for Androids.
Airpoints Member
If you’ve downloaded this app and are an Airpoints member, you must include your Airpoints number when you book; your bookings are automatically added to the app. You can add your Airpoints number to a booking using this app.
You can also manually add bookings within the Air NZ mobile app.
Below are the steps:
- Go to the menu within the Air NZ mobile app, select ‘More’
- Select ‘Add existing booking’ from the menu
- Enter your booking reference and family name.
You’re done!
You can manually add a friend or family member’s flight by entering the booking reference and family name for their booking.
Enable push notifications with the Air NZ mobile app
When you first download the Air NZ mobile app, push notifications are enabled by default on Android and iPhone; you are prompted to enable them.
Better you enable push notifications because they are helpful for several alerts, including changes to your flight time or boarding gate number and letting you know when boarding commences. You can activate the type of notifications you receive by going into ‘Your settings’ in the Air NZ mobile app.
To see whether push notifications are enabled on your device:
iPhone
Go to Settings > Notifications > Air NZ.
To enable notifications, turn the allow notifications button on if it isn’t already.
Android
Access the in-app Air NZ mobile app menu (top right of screen) and select the notifications checkbox.
Conclusion
Air New Zealand’s app now includes passport scanning and a brilliant passport service. Travellers can scan their passport information for automatic renewal notifications and check-in.
The app offers real-time flight data, mobile boarding passes, and group travel boarding pass storage. Notifications keep users updated, while features like coffee ordering and Airpoints dollar tracking enhance convenience.
The airline is also considering integrating secure credit card scanning and biometric-based boarding in the future.
The app addresses expired passports and check-in issues, streamlining travel. Available for iOS and Android, it enriches the travel experience with its functional and user-friendly features.
FAQs
Do I have to be an Airpoints member to use the Air NZ mobile app?
No. You can still add and view your bookings on the Air NZ mobile app.
To do this:
Go to the menu within the Air NZ mobile app, select ‘More’
Select ‘Add existing booking’ from the menu
Enter your booking reference and family name.
However, suppose you are an Airpoints member and enter your membership number when booking your flight. In that case, you’ll be able to see your current and any future bookings automatically on the app, which makes managing your travel easier.
Will my digital boarding pass work if I’m not online?
Once you’ve downloaded your digital boarding pass, it’s stored in the Air New Zealand app. You’ll then be able to access it even if you’re not online.
However, your boarding pass won’t update with any changes, such as upgrades or seat changes, until you’re online again.
I’ve completed my online check-in, but can’t see my electronic boarding pass.
You may be at an airport that doesn’t accept electronic boarding passes. If that’s the case, you must check in manually at the airport.
All New Zealand and many international airports now accept mobile and electronic boarding passes. If you’re at one of them, there may be a technical problem. Check in at the airport, and everything should be fine.
Remember, the Air NZ mobile app only accepts electronic boarding passes. Otherwise, print your boarding pass (no screenshots or emails) or collect one from the airport check-in desk.
I added a flight to my calendar, but it appears on a different date and time.
When you make a booking, the dates and times shown are local, i.e. the departure time is based on the time at the origin, and the arrival time is based on the time at your destination. If your calendar is in a different time zone, these times may appear to be reset.