Qantas trials automated boarding gates
Can these smart gates make for a smoother and faster boarding experience?
By David Flynn, May 26 2026
“Computer says no” is about to become a very real thing for some Qantas passengers.
The airline is trialling automated boarding gates which, among other things, help enforce Group Boarding based on cabin class, frequent flyer status and seat number.
These gates – supplied by aviation tech specialist SITA, in partnership with Sydney Airport – are already commonplace at airports around the world, including the new Western Sydney International Airport.
A pair of SITA’s Smart Path gates are now in place at Gate 10 of Sydney Airport’s domestic Terminal 3, although without biometric scanning.
Travellers boarding Qantas flights at Gate 10 will scan their digital or printed boarding pass to activate the gate and walk through to the aerobridge.
Qantas says the trial, which will run for around three months, will help the airline better understand the potential benefits of automated gates.
The primary focus will be on any reduction in boarding pass errors, and providing smoother and faster boarding, while freeing up cabin crew and airport staff to provide customer support.
Qantas says passengers and staff will be asked to provide feedback as part of the trial.
Also read: Qantas clamps down on lounge pass selling & sharing
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 1092
I'm trying to remember if ANA doe this already
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 870
Not in SYD, HND or ITM. Maybe at NRT?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2016
Total posts 7
Wonder if they will actually let full paying business class travelers on first
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Nov 2016
Total posts 72
Business class passengers are in Group 1; they have always been invited to board first since the numbered group system was introduced, and before also under the old system. If you're asking why Platinum and P1s in Economy also board with the business class passengers then how does that affect you, considering they are in a different part of the aircraft?
25 Jun 2019
Total posts 10
All gates at Heathrow T5 use those gates, but with biometrics (facial recognition) to allow for a mixed international/domestic terminal controlling migration (avoiding international transferring passenger from boarding a domestic flight).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Jul 2018
Total posts 10
Flying recently, this was in use by Qantas at DFW and by JAL at Haneda (QF codeshare).
07 May 2015
Total posts 76
Excellent idea. Assuming 90% of boarding is simply verifying the boarding pass including boarding group, then this will make it a lot easier for the gate team to handle all sorts of other things like requests or general inquiries, passenger assistance, maybe even open one of the 'human' gates to create three boarding lanes when the flight is full or late or if its an A330 instead of a B737. Business passengers and P1s could go through the staffed gate and get that premium human touch.
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