SAS brings the check-in counter directly to the customer

SAS brings the check-in counter directly to the customer For years it has been the customers who came to the counter in the departure hall and went through the check-in procedures there. Why not do the opposite? SAS has developed a mobile check-in counter that can be rolled to where the customers are. SAS is the only airline to have this unique product. "With the Mobile Service Unit (MSU), we are able to provide personal service in locations that are convenient for customers, supplementing the traditional check-in counter," says Peter Söderlund, who is responsible for development of ground-based products at SAS. Earlier, SAS has made it possible for customers to check in at locations other than the departure hall, but the mobile unit has a number of applications and offers greater freedom of choice. SAS personnel can meet its customers at conferences, fairs, major sporting events and similar events -- and handle check-ins there. This has done successfully this spring in connection with large European Union meetings in Sweden, including one in Luleå in which 2,000 persons participated. Customers gain time when check-in formalities are completed well in advance of departure times - and they avoid having to wait in line with other travelers who are checking in at the airport. As more and more customers choose to travel "ticketless" and check in by means of automatic machines, there is increased need for assistance from SAS personnel "on the floor" in the departure hall. The mobile counter is an excellent supplement to the automatic machines. And in the event of extremely large flows of passengers, delays, long waiting lines and the like, the MSU serves as an effective tool for providing smoother service. The Mobile Service Unit is only one cubic meter in size; with has a work table at standing height, and contains everything found in a traditional check-in counter -- a link to the reservation system, a ticket printer, etc. As of now, the MSU is still connected by wire to a power source. But it will gradually become cordless, which will further increase its flexibility. For additional information, please contact: Peter Söderlund, Director Product Management On Ground and IT, tel +46 8 797 11 04 or +46 709 97 11 04 SAS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/22/20010321BIT00070/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/22/20010321BIT00070/bit0001.pdf