Air check-in lifts off Early sign-in service aids travelersInternet concept challenged by airline.
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Neville Aga created CheckinSooner.com, an Internet service that allows travelers to check in for their flight online sooner than was available before. He is works from his office in his Norman home on Wednesday By JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Frequent flier Neville Aga likes the convenience of flying nonstop, but he found the process of checking in for his flights online was anything but convenient.
Aga, figuring he wasn't the only one who found it inconvenient to rush to a computer to check in 24 hours before his flight, recently launched CheckinSooner.com. The Internet-based company checks in travelers within three minutes of their 24-hour check-in window. Although checking in early can often result in upgrades or, in the case of Southwest Airlines, a coveted "A” boarding pass that allows travelers to board first, Aga said the only thing his company promises is convenience.
"I'm not guaranteeing people will be upgraded,” the Norman resident said. "It's just a service for people who want to check in early but can't be at the computer.”
CheckinSooner.com allows travelers to check in early for Southwest Airlines, American, Delta, United and Continental, Aga said. He said the site has already processed more than 1,000 early check-in requests since the company began in September. CheckinSooner has check-in requests for flights as far ahead as July, Aga said. CheckinSooner e-mails boarding passes to passengers 24 hours before their flight. Annual membership is $79.95.
Aga was not alone in his pursuit to bring travelers and easier way to check in. He said that when he was nearly finished with his business model, he ran across BoardFirst.com, a company that secures "A” boarding passes for Southwest Airlines travelers. Aga said he was surprised someone had already thought of the early check-in idea. But something surprised him more: the controversy around the convenience.
Southwest Airlines filed a lawsuit against BoardFirst.com in June, alleging the company was unlawfully using the airlines' Web site. A federal judge ruled against the airline's request for an injunction to shut down the Web site. BoardFirst.com founder Kate Bell said she's interested to see how Southwest reacts to CheckinSooner.com.
"I'm curious to see if Southwest is going to sue them too,” said Bell, who has a countersuit against the airline for defamation.
Aga said he is surprised he has not heard from Southwest. He has contacted American Airlines to discuss his company. He said he doesn't want CheckinSooner.com to be seen as illegal or fraudulent.
"I'm really bothered by the issue that some people think I'm doing something wrong,” Aga said.
Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said the airline company has received various complaints from customers concerning online boarding companies. She said some customers feel it is unfair that some travelers are paying to board first while others are spending their own time and following the free process. King said online boarding companies interfere with Southwest's relationship with its customers.
"Southwest.com is intended for its customers and not for other businesses that use it for their gain,” King said.
Aga said his purpose is not to make trouble for any of the airlines, but instead to make solutions for travelers.
"I'm just trying to do a service,” he said. "I think there is a valid need that is being filled.”
