Japan carriers adapt cell phone check-in

Pacific Business News (Honolulu)

and All Nippon Airways now are widely using a practice that might eventually be seen in the United States: flight check-in by cell phone.

JAL began using cell phone check-in at four airports in 2005 and ANA began trying it last fall. In an article this week on the practice, The New York Times reported that it is now possible to check in by cell phone at 44 airports in Japan. A small German airline also is experimenting with it.

The Times article said cell phone numbers are well-coded so they are difficult to spoof, but it also said U.S. security concerns may slow the adopting of this technology at U.S. airports.
It is estimated that cell phone check-in now is used by more than 100,000 people a week in Japan.