BA introduces new iPhone app

Mobile boarding passes enabled as original app is made available on BlackBerry and Android

British Airways passengers will now be able to use their phones as boarding passes

British Airways (BA) has unveiled a new version of its iPhone app that allows customers to save time and check in on their smartphones.

Users can download the app by registering online free of charge to become a BA Executive Club iPhone user. The new version of the app allows passengers to use mobile boarding passes on their phones, which can be scanned at check-in to speed up and enhance the boarding process.

While this feature is currently usable only on domestic UK flights, BA told Computing that it plans to roll out the mobile boarding passes for short-haul flights in August 2010. It will later look to introduce the mobile boarding passes scheme for long-haul flights, but admitted that in certain countries, such as India, rules and regulations will prohibit the use of mobile boarding passes.

BA is now looking at adding more functionality to the app, which will give passengers information such as at which gate to board and at what time. This feature is expected to be integrated within a matter of months.

In addition, Android and BlackBerry users will now be able to benefit from the original version of the BA app, and the airline is looking to integrate the added functions from the new app in due course.