Plane talking: Check-in and bag drop

As part of our series on the passenger journey we take a look at check-in and bag drop.

So, the flight is booked, bags are packed and the journey to the airport is over, it’s now time to check-in. The airport experience can be stressful, especially if it is a completely new experience. In this blog post, we will cover some of the steps that need to be taken before boarding a flight.

Checking in and baggage drop before the flight

As mentioned in our previous blog post, most airlines have apps to use for check in at home or in the office, before arriving at the airport. However, we understand that some people may not have access to this kind of technology or may have simply just forgotten.

If passengers are checking in at the airport, there are some important things they should know. First, they should locate which terminal check-in is for the particular airline they are travelling with. They can find this out online or by asking staff at the airport. They should also make sure they have everything they need at hand (for example passport and booking details). This will help to speed up the process.

Once at the check-in desk, they will be asked for all of the relevant documents which will be checked over and scanned in. This is also the point where they will hand over any check-in baggage that can’t be stored in the aircraft cabin. The baggage will then be weighed and sent to the aircraft to be loaded.

When check-in is complete, they will receive their boarding pass. It is important that this is kept safe, as it is their ticket onto the aircraft. If they have checked-in online before the flight, they should have received this digitally either via email or on the airlines app. Each airport varies so be sure to check the airline’s website before the flight.

Some airlines and airports also offer the option to use their self service check-in kiosks at the airport. This can save time by using the self-service check-in to choose a seat and print the boarding pass. Airline staff will be on hand if help is needed. Once checked in, they can head to bag drop with their checked-in luggage.

Touchless bag drops also now exist to speed up the journey. Passengers can print their bag tags at a self-service kiosk before proceeding to the bag drop counter. The system can automatically detect that the tag is attached and the weight is correct, and then dispatch the bag without the need for the passenger to touch any button or screen.

Going through security screening

Now that the passenger is checked in and dropped off any bags, they need to pass through security before moving on. This is the final opportunity to bin any unnecessary items (such as liquids over 100ml). Note that both the passenger and their baggage will be checked here.

Security processes begin before a passenger even arrives at the airport. It is a key part of the passenger journey and additional security measures will be in place until they reach their destination.

It is important to plan ahead before entering security. This will speed up the process and reduce any problems that may occur. Passengers can do this by wearing easily removable shoes, keeping medical supplies separate and placing any liquids in a clear ziplock bag (check each airline’s requirements regarding this).

Depending on the airline, passengers will first be asked to remove shoes, bags and loose items which they will place into the plastic trays provided. This is so the items can be X-rayed. Sometimes staff may look into their bags to ensure nothing dangerous is inside.

At most airports, they will walk through a body scanner which alerts staff if they are carrying anything dangerous. A beep-like sound may occur which means they will have to go through a more extensive check. So long as they aren’t carrying anything dangerous, there is no need to worry here, they will be checked over then free to go.

Waiting for your flight

Once a passenger has passed through security screening, they are now ready to enter the departure lounge. It is important that they regularly check the screens which supply their flight information.

Each airline differs, however, it is usually around 45 minutes before departure that the gate will be announced. Passengers need to ensure enough time is left to get to the gate before the departure time, as once the gate is closed, they will miss your flight. Now, they can relax a little and enjoy the shops and restaurants before boarding the flight.

How we can help

The airport experience can be both an exciting and stressful experience. Here at BagsID we are committed to enhancing the passenger experience and making the journey easier at every step with our state-of-the-art baggage technology solutions.