BCBP

BCBP (Bar Coded Boarding Pass) is the name of the standard used by more than 175 airlines [ [http://www.iata.org/stbsupportportal/bcbp/ BCBP Support Portal] ] . BCBP defines the 2-Dimensional (2D) bar code printed on a boarding pass or sent to a mobile phone for electronic boarding passes.

BCBP is part of the IATA Simplifying the Business programme, which has issued an industry mandate for all boarding passes to be bar coded by 2010.

Airlines and third parties use a barcode reader to read the bar codes and capture the data. Reading the bar code usually takes place in the boarding (transport) process, but can also happen when entering the airport security checkpoints.

The standard was originally published in 2005 by IATA and updated in 2008 to include symbologies for mobile phones.

For more information visit http://www.iata.org

Paper Boarding Passes

Paper boarding passes are issued either by agents at a check-in counter, or by self-service kiosks, or by airline web check-in site. BCBP can be printed at the airport by an ATB (Automated Ticket & Boarding Pass) printer or a direct thermal printer, and at home or office by a personal laser printer. The symbology for paper boarding passes is PDF417. IATA's Board of Governors' mandate states that all the IATA member airlines will be capable of issuing BCBP by end 2008, and all the boarding passes will contain the 2D bar code by end 2010. The BCBP standard was published in 2005. It has been progressively adopted by airlines: End 2005, 9 airlines were BCBP capable; 32 by end 2006; 101 by end 2007; and 200 by end 2008.

Electronic Boarding Passes

BCBP can also be sent to mobile phones, via MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) or email or WAP Push. IATA's BCBP standard [ [http://www.iata.org/NR/rdonlyres/2BD57802-6D96-4D9A-8501-5349C807C854/0/Resolution792June2008.pdf IATA BCBP standard] ] defines the three symbologies accepted for mobile phones: Aztec code, Datamatrix and QR code.

For Air France's VP Marketing, electronic boarding passes are 'the industry's next major technological innovation after e-ticketing' [ [http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/news/18766867-air-france-tests-mobile-boarding-passes.html the industry's next major technological innovation after e-ticketing'] ] .

Airlines using mobile BCBP include: Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Lufthansa, bmi (airline), Air France, KLM. In the US, the Transportation Security Administration runs a pilot program of a Boarding Pass Scanning System, using the IATA BCBP standard. [ [http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2008/0425.shtm TSA and Continental Airlines Expand Paperless Boarding Pass Program] ]

ee also

*Barcode
*PDF417
*Data matrix (computer)
*Thermal printer
*Barcode reader
*IATA Simplifying the Business

References

ources

* [http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;20017228;fp;2;fpid;1 Qantas boosts mobile device check-in options]
* [http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/de/info_and_services/checkin?l=en&nodeid=2144600&cid=18002 The mobile boarding pass – available on all German and many European routes]
* [http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2008/09/bar-coded-boarding-passes-secure-mobile.html Bar Coded Boarding Passes - Secure, Mobile and On the way]
* [http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/paperless_boarding_pass_expansion.shtm TSA Expands Paperless Boarding Pass Pilot Program to Additional Airports and Airlines]

External links

* [http://www.iata.org/ International Air Transport Association (IATA)]