The new airport rule that changes everything at check-in
Many of us may have felt bombarded by boarding announcements as we wait at the airport, listening out for the relevant information for our flight so we don’t miss anything vital. It’s not exactly a relaxing experience, in what can already be a harried experience as all check boxes are ticked for a successful boarding.
But next time you visit Sydney International Airport’s T1 terminal, you’ll notice a major change. On September 17, it became a “quiet airport”, ceasing all terminal wide updates over the PA system including flight boarding and closing, and passenger paging, unless they’re “critical”. You’ll see signs noting the change at check-in counters, but all boarding announcements will continue to be made at boarding gates.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert says the initiative will make for a more relaxing experience for passengers.
“Passengers will now be able to relax without being interrupted by constant announcements,” he said in a statement.
“We’re always looking at how we can make the airport experience even more enjoyable for our passengers. This initiative leapt out as one that would make an immediate and material difference and would align us with the practices of the best airports globally.”
He said the move brings the airport in line with other leading world airports like Changi, Dubai, Hong Kong and Helsinki.
So, you may need to pay extra attention to the flight information display screens for up-to-date information, and you can keep up-to-date on your flight status through the Sydney Airport and airline websites, as well as on the airport’s social media accounts.
You can also set an alarm on your mobile phone to make sure you get moving to your gate on time, and get updates on flight delays on your phone using the app for your relevant airline or the TripCase app, which covers all airlines, writes Amanda Woods, for Escape. According to Woods, it’s not just passengers that are effected by the change, with shop assistants enjoying some much-needed peace from terminal-wide announcements.
“When I ask one of the airport’s shop assistants if they’ve noticed much of a change with the new Quiet Terminal rules they say their life is so much easier now,” she wrote. “Before they were constantly being interrupted when they were trying to tell a customer something and had to start again when the announcement finished.”
Passengers travelling internationally will still be advised of their gate and boarding time when checking in, and you can always approach airport information desks if you have any queries.
For now, announcements are set to continue at domestic airports.
What do you think of the new "quiet airport" rule? Tell is in the comments below.