Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Airways launched on Monday its online check-in service, allowing passengers to pick seats and get electronic boarding passes before arriving at the airport.

Director of Iraqi Airways, Manaf Abdul-Moneim, said in a statement that the new service will allow travelers to electronically issue boarding passes and choose their seats before going to the airport using the company’s online application and website.

The step is part of the company’s strategy to grow its digital capabilities, improve passenger experience, and stay up with the latest standards in the aviation industry, according to Abdul-Moneim.

The service generally opens for check-in between 48 and 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure and closes up to two hours prior to takeoff.

The service allows travelers to avoid long queues at traditional airport check-in desks. It also allows passengers to select their preferred seats for free or at a little cost.

The web check-in service produces a QR or barcode on the passenger’s smartphone, which can be verified at security and the boarding gate.