Air France and KLM have launched a mobile phone check-in service using SMS for confirmation.

Initially the service will be available on departures from almost all metropolitan France and European airports, on Air France and KLM short and medium-haul flights. It should be extended to the entire network later this year.

Customers can check in and choose their seat (window or aisle) between 30 hours and 30 minutes before the latest check-in time.

When they've checked in, customers can request confirmation via SMS. When passangers arrive at the airport, they simply need to print their boarding pass at a self-service kiosk or at the "baggage drop-off and boarding pass collection" desk before the latest check-in time.

To benefit from this service, customers must have internet access on their mobile phone, and go to http://mobile.airfrance.com or www.klm.com. Air France and KLM intend to test a new service with certain Flying Blue customers, by sending them an SMS the day before departure to remind them that they can check in on their mobile phone.

Air France believes the service is particularly attractive for business customers travelling on busy short and medium-haul routes.

Only a few airlines in the world, including Air Canada, Southwest and SAS, offer mobile check-in.®

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