Southwest Airlines app introduces mobile ticketing

May 29, 2014

Budget U.S. airliner Southwest Airlines has added mobile boarding passes to their mobile apps on Android and iOS. The update brings functionality to Southwest's app that competing carriers have offered for some time: just load up your boarding pass code on your smartphone and scan it on your way through security and when boarding your plane. Not only does it save on paper, it's more convenient with automatic location-based availability.

Southwest started testing the mobile boarding pass system last year in Texas, and is now rolling it out to airports across the United States.

When checking in for their flight online or with the Southwest app, customers will be able to request a mobile boarding pass. Those checking in online can have it sent via email or text, while those using the app will get it right from the app. And if you so desire to be all luddite-like, you can still print off a copy of your boarding pass on a sheet of dead tree.

The updated Southwest Airlines app is available now from the App Store.