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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/370519
COMMUNICATIONS TECH 24 airportbusiness August/September 2014 The app directs Karen to a check-in kiosk, where her boarding pass pops up automatically. She confirms her identity, prints boarding passes and tags her luggage, then heads toward security where the app directs her to the shortest line and tells her there is a 7-minute wait. Once Karen passes through security, the app shares an airport map, showing the location of her gate and informing her it's an 8-minute walk. The app then automatically directs her to the nearest coffee shop, without her having to do a thing. As Karen nears the coffee shop, a percentage-off coupon pops up; a coupon she readily uses to purchase coffee, a Danish and a souvenir mug. She decides to linger awhile after the app notifies her of a weather delay. Twenty minutes later the app informs her of her plane's arrival and she heads to her gate. At the connecting airport, the app updates Karen as to where she is, which gate to go to, and how much time it will take to walk there. It also notifies her that boarding will begin in 20 minutes. Upon arriving at her destination, Karen navi- gates the airport toward baggage claim with ease, as her smartphone directs the way. At baggage claim, a message arrives when her baggage lands on the carousel. Karen grabs her luggage and heads to her hotel. For passengers navigating today's congest- ed, busy and confusing airport terminals, this scenario may sound like a pipe dream. But in the not-too-distant future, the above example of Karen's travel day will become reality—and beacon technology will pave the way. In fact, it's already happening. In June, American Airlines began a six-month trial of the largest deployment of iBeacon tech- nology in airport history at Dallas-Fort Worth Technology to Transform the Passenger Experience Beacons provide business intelligence that keeps passengers informed and reduces traveler stress K aren, the frequent business traveler, heads into an airport garage. As she does, her smartphone beeps to notify her of an open spot in the first aisle of Level 3. After she parks, Karen scans a QR code in the stall so that the airport app remembers where she parked, the app then sends her directions to the terminal and indicates it's a 5-minute walk. By Ronnie L. Garrett