We all know how stressful airports can be – especially during the holiday season. It can be a nightmare when you ensure you get there with extra time to spare, only for those minutes to be wasted standing in line waiting for security to check you and your carry-on in.
But what if we told you that there was a way to avoid the long, tortuous wait before boarding your flight? Toronto’s Pearson International Airport has just made this possible with an online reservation system where you can pre-book your spot in the airport security line before your departure.
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The service, known as YYZ Express, is said to offer travellers a seamless airport security experience, allowing them to get to their flight on time without having to worry about long lines.
Customers can register online up to 72 hours before their international or domestic flight departs, providing their contact information and flight details.
They will then receive a QR code by email, which they can use to reserve a spot at the airport during their flight’s designated appointment time.
According to Deborah Flint, the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, the online reservation system will allow passengers to have a more relaxed and streamlined travel experience.
“As we look toward holiday travel and connecting passengers with loved ones across the globe, YYZ Express is another step towards a fully digital journey for those passengers who want it, to move more seamlessly through the airport,” she said.
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Of course, there’s a catch.
The reservation service is only available between 5am and 1pm at Terminal 1 and 2pm and 10pm at Terminal 3, with flights outside these hours not yet available on the system. Additionally, there aren’t many appointment times available due to high demand, so customers are urged to register as early as possible within the 72-hour period leading up to their departure.
It’s simple once you’ve made the booking though. When your designated appointment time comes, head to the assigned checkpoint. Make sure you arrive within 15 minutes of your appointment, show your QR code and, voila, no more stressing over missing your flight or having to show up extra early at the airport in fear of it. You can also sign up for a reservation while at the airport up to 60 minutes prior to your flight.
The YYZ Express aims to provide a more convenient and streamlined airport experience. The program certainly seems like a step in the right direction, and could most definitely improve airport experiences in Australia too.
Do you think other key airports will follow suit and start offering an online reservation system for security checks? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
But if some book in, this means the rest will wait even longer. Seems like it will support a select few.
Your first sentence is true, but it won’t just support a “select few”. It will support anyone who uses the system and it is open to all.
The number of people passing through security won’t change and neither will the time to wait unless more staff are put on to cope with the numbers. I can see this leading to another charge to give priority to paying travellers. This extra layer of administrivia will merely make the process of travelling more complex and will advantage only those who are computer literate. I can see this process more convenient to only those who have travel agents who can do all the leg work for them. The majority of elderly retirees are computer illiterate, but I guess they’re a dying breed.
Staffing at airports is the problem. What if everyone books this YYZ service….??the lineup at their counter will be the same as the existing situation , and your back to square one. Someone’s still got to scan your luggage & run a metal detector over you.
If it does become a common theme in all airports, it will be user pay eventually. This will be like the BC lounges, exclusivity. But in saying that I would certainly try to book, as even though I’m older I have managed to become more computer literate. If we don’t keep up to date with things we get left behind. It is scary and still is, but the more you use online bookings, etc the more comfortable you are with using the platform.
I was just about to say the sdame thing , Keith. Not too much change from the ususal lining up.