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For some passengers flying out of Haneda Airport later this month, the terminal is going to look a little different. Specifically, if you’re in Terminal 2 and planning to look up at the big monitors above the pre-boarding security line to check your flight into, you’re going to have to look elsewhere.
All Nippon Airways has announced that it will be removing those monitors. Instead, if you want to confirm the status of your flight, what gate you’ll be boarding at, or anything else along those lines, ANA recommends doing it through their app, which you’ll need to download and install on your phone.
▼ ANA’s tweet announcing the change. Large monitor displays like the ones seen here are currently above the four security line entrances in Terminal 2, but will be removed.
The change follows similar moves by rail operators in recent months in the Tokyo area, where physical poster-style timetables have been removed from many station platforms, under the ostensible logic that people can just check the schedule on their phones instead. Air travel, though, comes with an additional set of inconveniences and challenges that Tokyo commuter train passengers don’t have to worry about. For starters, if you miss the train you wanted to take, there’s usually another one coming in five minutes that you can hop on instead with the same ticket, but that’s obviously not the case with airplanes. Air travelers also usually have luggage they’re lugging around, making it much more of a hassle for them to pull out their phone, download the app, or fire it up if they’ve already got it installed, and navigate the menus than it is for a train commuter whose hands are free.
For those reasons and more, ANA’s abolishment of the large above-the-security line monitors isn’t proving too popular with Japanese Twitter users, especially since the monitors will be removed on Feb 9.
“Please keep using digital signage. It’s a pain to have to check the app.”
“I mean, I get the idea of ‘You can check by yourself via the app,’ but getting rid of signage at a major airport like this just has me wondering how strapped for cash ANA is.”
“Please don’t get rid of the monitors. There are times when travelers run out of battery charge for their phones, or have their hands full with their bags.”
“I think it’s best to keep the large monitors. Older people and travelers from overseas don’t have the ANA app on their phones.”
“It’s like ANA isn’t concerned about customer service.”
“What is the point of getting rid of the monitors?”
“Are you trying to encourage people to stare at their phones while walking [around a crowded airport]?”
▼ Some of the monitors being removed
ANA’s announcement doesn’t say why they’re getting rid of the security line monitors in Haneda’s Terminal 2, which is used for the airline’s domestic flights. There really are only two possible explanations, though: a cost-cutting measure (no large monitors means no large monitor maintenance expenses) and a ploy to get more people to install the ANA app on their phones.
Perhaps predicting the negative reaction, ANA quickly sent out a follow-up tweet saying that the other digital signage and monitors in Terminal 2 will remain in place and operating. The large ones at the security lines will soon be gone, though, just like the pata pata sign at one of the nearby train stations many people pass through on their way to Haneda.
Sources: Twitter/@ANA_travel_info via IT Media, Aviation Wire
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© SoraNews24
9 Comments
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Roten
I use those monitors when I fly through Haneda. It will be a pain to use my phone when I have my hands full. One more thing to drop or loose in the crowds. Bad move, ANA.
RKL
RotenToday 08:31 am JST
I use those monitors when I fly through Haneda. It will be a pain to use my phone when I have my hands full. One more thing to drop or loose in the crowds. Bad move, ANA.
I'm with you,
If I'm pushing a cart or pulling suitcases, I don't want to take out my phone.
I hope JAL keeps theirs.
qazwsx
My parents don't even have cell phones, let alone smart phones. I guess parts of the world feel that you have to have one these days.
I have encountered several restaurants recently that ask you to order using a menu linked to on your phone. I have a smart phone, but I find the menu is too small for my aging eyes lol. I would prefer an old-fashioned menu, or at least a large tablet provided by the restaurant
garypen
This corporate push to app usage is quite annoying. I'm a long-time smartphone user, starting with an iPhone 3, and then countless Google Nexus and Pixel models up to the current Pixel 7 Pro. But, I don't want to use it for everything, especially when there are better alternatives, such as large screens at airports or PC's at home.
So often, I've been on a JP company's website, clicked on a link, and it says that function is only available on the app. WTH???? If the function is available on the app, that means it would be just as accessible from a browser. But, they deliberately did not add the appropriate link/code/module to the site. Sooooooo annoying.
If I have a big screen and full keyboard, I shouldn't be forced to dick around on my little smartphone, tapping with my thumbs on the tiny keyboard. And, if there's room on the walls for video monitors at the airports, I shouldn't be forced to fumble for my phone, find an app, open it, search for my flight, etc, while dealing with luggage and such.
Nemo
Having flown ANA last weekend domestically, I can confirm Roy’s statement to be true.
There are several other smaller signboards located here and there where, with or without one’s phone, the departure time and gate can be checked. It’s just the central signboard that is going away.
It’s not like a company known for its customer service is going to leave its customers without information regarding their flights but instead with a shrug and a “consult your app.”
Lots of signs and ground staff to help one to one’s flight.
GBR48
quote: The change follows similar moves by rail operators in recent months in the Tokyo area, where physical poster-style timetables have been removed from many station platforms.
Always used these in Japan. Expect hordes of bemused tourists trying to get advice from rail staff in the summer, most of whom don't speak any foreign languages. Everyone will wonder why Japanese rail services used to be praised.
Ditto at airports. My smartphone has no connection at airports before I get my mobile wifi and after I return it, so I'll just have to bug the staff for info too. Free wifi is best avoided for security reasons.
Mirai Hayashi
I don't see the purpose of removing these FIDS monitors, and its a huge assumption on ANA's part that everyone is willing or able to install and check their app for flight information. Some people don't have smartphones in Japan, and as mentioned already, it kind of pain in the a** to pull out your phone to check flight, when you can just simple look up and see it on the screens.
Nemo
Departure signboards in the monorail station, in the basement, in the departure terminal before check in, in the departure area after security.
It’s just that ONE sign that’s going away.
Nobody is getting lost or confused because they don’t have a phone handy.