Travel by Concorde is not only fast in the air but also on the ground. Passengers are now being offered a check-in time of less than one minute, says UNB.

According to a report made available here, British Airways says it has introduced an electronic ticket system known as an E-ticket for its twice-daily Concorde flights between London and New York that will permit high-speed check-ins.

A spokesman explained: "Concorde passengers will now be able to check-in at supersonic speed with the introduction of the fastest ticket on earth. This latest electronic ticket will reduce check-in time to less than one minute. Added to a flying time of just three and a half hours, it makes reaching New York even faster."

Keiron Gavan, head of global distribution of British Airways, said: "For Concorde passengers, time is money. So. the introduction of E-ticket has real moneysaving potential as well as allowing them more hours at home rather than the airport."

E-ticket works by enabling passengers with hold baggage or hand baggage to make a booking by telephone and then

travel to the airport to check-in at self-service machines using their credit card or Executive Club card. They can even select their favourite Concorde seat using the machine's touchscreen te.chnology. They will then be issued with a boarding card.Concorde is a favourite means of transport across the Atlantic for captains of industry. entertainment stars and serious shoppers, said the London Press Service report.

It added that the faster-than-sound jetliner makes it possible for such people to make day trips and, in these cases, the new system allows them to check-in for their return flight-

British Airways has recently opened a new Concorde Room as part of its redevelopment worth 250 million US dollars at New York's JFK Airport.

Design guru Sir Terence Conran, regular Concorde passenger. was asked to create a 20th century design classic like Concorde for the new facility. He chose light, airy interiors, richwalnut panelling and marble floors contrasting with classic rugs and modern chairs selected from leading US and UK designers.