The only not-so-good relationship between aviation and mobile phones is that mobiles cannot be used in the plane yet (Passport to safety, Letters blog, letters.computing.co.uk). The idea of using your passport as a ticket is a good one, similar to the way passengers can go to a kiosk and use a credit card to check in.

But the mobile phone is not static. Business travellers especially would only need the mobile device to handle the full process, from wherever they are: booking, payment, check in and so on. No more waiting at the counter or at the kiosk when you do not have baggage to check in.

Furthermore, with the same SMS the passenger can receive a ticket in the form of a unique 2-D code, and information about the gate, delays or gate changes.

The mobile handset can be used for a two-sided communication in real time, which can make life easier and more convenient.

Marc, submitted on the web