Star Alliance turns to text for flight updates

Passengers receive real time information over SMS or email

SMS flight updates take off

The Star Alliance network, which includes UK airline BMI, is to offer passengers live flight information via SMS text messaging and email.

Passengers can sign up via the Star Alliance web site and receive SMS and email alerts on the status of their flight.

They can also track the flights of any of Star Alliance’s 17 member airlines and details of interconnecting flights, regardless of their location.

‘Our passengers are increasingly looking for ways to make the most of their time while travelling and this service allows them to do this,’ said Star Alliance commercial vice president Philip Saunders.

‘It is a secure, reliable delivery mechanism for SMS messages that will enable us to further differentiate our service offerings for airline partners and make our customers’ travel time easier.’

Messages confirming the flight’s status four hours before take off are transmitted from OAG and mBlox’s SMS delivery platform.

Further messages advise passengers of delays of 15 minutes or more, the status of connecting flights and details of any terminal changes.