APPLE: Ticket tech — smart boarding passes

Apple is promoting Smart Boarding Passes as part of its next ‘i’ operating system (iOS) for iPhones and iPads, to be released in September. The new name, now reflecting the year it applies to, will be iOS 26. This innovation could herald the end of boarding gate chaos. Both Qantas and Virgin Australia have committed to rolling out the iPhone-powered travel upgrades.

Finally, a boarding pass that knows what time, and what gate and where your aircraft is

The upcoming iOS 26 software means iPhones will soon support ‘smart’ boarding passes. The ‘smart’ part means that the passes will now be dynamic, context-aware, and update in real time with your flight status, gate changes, and boarding group information.

All good, I say. Except something similar for my flight between Sydney and Bangkok recently had me going to Gate 35, no, sorry, 26, no, sorry, 57, sorry, make that 35 again, and not Gate 57, which was cited on the Qantas app. The guy on the Qantas First counter had to check a couple of systems before he confirmed it was 57.

So, barring this kind of lack of Qantas/Sydney Airport systems integration, this new ‘smart’ boarding pass should do your thinking before you do, with Qantas and Virgin Australia on board.

This new Apple system uses the ‘Live Activities’ facility in Apple Wallet to deliver updated information. It’s essentially the same as what is available now (integration snafu aside), but more extensive. It will also allow users to share their flight’s Live Activities with friends and family so they can stay up to date on your journey.

More integration in smart boarding passes

Refreshed boarding passes will also allow users to access Maps to navigate airports directly from their boarding their pass.

It will also integrate with ‘Find My‘ to track and report lost baggage (if you have their Airtags), link back to key services on your airline’s app, such as seat upgrades and standby lists.

Further, you can look forward to live flight tracking, real-time boarding alerts, estimated arrival time, terminal and gate changes, and baggage carousel assignments.

Early adopters of smart boarding passes

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia are amongst the earliest adopters. Refreshed boarding passes will be available starting with Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Jetstar, Lufthansa Group, Qantas, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Australia.

Will you still need your airline’s app?

All of these integrations will not quite replace your Qantas or Virgin app, or other travel and flight tools like Flighty or Flight Radar24. They are a bit more hardcore/avgeek.

But for the average traveller, these innovations to the Apple iO System should be enough to ensure smooth, convenient travel.

The airlines just need to make sure they execute this well and do not replicate my recent gate update experience.

2PAXfly Takeout

I love an app innovation that improves the travel experience, and this looks like it fits the bill. As someone who still prefers a paper ticket, I’ll still be asking for a printout at check-in. Much less pfaffing about on boarding with technophobes who don’t know how to access their ticket, or lack the digital dexterity to show family multiple tickets, or know what to do when the ticket disappears from their screen!

You people know who you are, and please stop it, or revert to paper.