Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, said Next Generation Check-in would dramatically reduce check-in times and eliminate queues for customers, allowing them to move through the check-in area with speed and ease.

“This is a truly ground-breaking Qantas innovation,” said Joyce.

“A group of approximately 100,000 Qantas Frequent Flyers who regularly travel through Perth have been invited to take part in the trial.

“The majority of these customers will have received their new FF cards embedded with “intelligent Q” chip technology.

“With one touch of their card on our new Q card readers, passengers will now be checked in within seconds. The new card will also act as a permanent boarding pass.”

A priority security lane also has opened in Perth featuring improved preparation areas and new walkthrough equipment to support faster processing through the screening area.

Throughout the Perth trial, construction and training will continue in Sydney, which will be ready to launch Next Generation Check-in later in 2010, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra in 2011. The program is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2011.