Roberta Aguirre
Smart check-in is a contactless process that allows passengers to check in for their flight without having to queue at the airport. It is designed to make the boarding experience hassle-free and convenient. Passengers can check in through the web or a mobile app and receive their boarding pass instantly via email, SMS, or WhatsApp. This process can be completed up to 60 minutes before a domestic flight and 75 minutes before an international flight. Some airlines also offer the option of electronic bag tags, which can be updated via a smartphone app, allowing passengers to pre-tag their luggage before arriving at the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To streamline the airport check-in process for passengers and airlines |
| Check-in Methods | Service counters, online check-in, mobile check-in, self-service bag drop counters, in-town check-in services |
| Benefits | Reduced check-in time, less queuing, improved baggage tracking, real-time updates, improved customer engagement |
| Technologies | Electronic bag tags, mobile boarding passes, barcodes, RFID technology, beacons, augmented reality wayfinding tools |
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What You'll Learn
Self-service bag drop counters
The self-service bag drop system typically comprises kiosks or stations equipped with touch-screen consoles, conveyor belts, and automatic bag tag scanners. Passengers can weigh their luggage, attach tags, and deposit their bags securely into the airport's baggage handling system. This streamlined process not only saves time for passengers but also enhances overall efficiency at the airport by reducing congestion in the check-in area.
One prominent example of an automated bag drop solution is the Series 7 Auto Bag Drop (ABD). This advanced system is designed to automate the entire bag drop process, offering a user-friendly experience with intuitive features. The Series 7 ABD incorporates side-loading functionality, making it easier for travellers to lift and manoeuvre their luggage, including trolleys and wheelchairs. This design optimises terminal space and improves accessibility, complying with country-specific disability requirements.
The Series 7 ABD also incorporates 3D scanners that detect non-conveyable bags, such as oversized items or strollers. This technology ensures the integrity of the baggage weighing process, processing only acceptable bags into the system and expediting transaction times. Additionally, remote monitoring and on-site engineering support ensure high operational availability and immediate resolution of any issues.
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Electronic bag tags
Smart check-in at the airport involves the use of technology to streamline the check-in process and enhance the overall travel experience. One such innovation is electronic bag tags, which are quickly gaining popularity among airlines and passengers alike.
One of the leading providers of electronic bag tags is BAGTAG, which is compatible with several major airlines, including Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines, KLM, and many others. The BAGTAG system offers a seamless experience, allowing users to skip the long check-in lines and drop off their pre-tagged luggage at designated self-service points or traditional check-in counters.
Another notable option is the eTag, which boasts a unique two-sided design that provides flight information, including a license plate. eTag offers enhanced security with encrypted data and can only be used by the registered account owner and their authorised associates. This product also features a proximity alarm, providing peace of mind when travelling on buses or trains and placing luggage in hallways or racks.
Alaska Airlines, the first airline in the US to introduce electronic bag tags, has developed its own mobile app that enables passengers to tag their bags anytime, anywhere. The app integrates seamlessly with the latest smartphone technologies, such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth, making the check-in process smoother and more accessible.
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Mobile check-in
At the end of the mobile check-in process, airlines may send a mobile boarding pass to the passenger's device, which can be scanned at the airport during security checks and boarding. Alternatively, some airlines send an electronic confirmation with a barcode that can be presented to staff at check-in or scanned at kiosks to continue the check-in process, including having boarding passes issued. Mobile check-in is also possible by text message for some airlines, such as Finnair.
Passengers can also use electronic bag tags, a digital version of traditional paper tags, which can be updated via a smartphone app. These tags streamline the baggage check-in process, allowing passengers to pre-tag their luggage before arriving at the airport. Once at the airport, passengers can drop off their luggage at a designated self-service drop point or a traditional check-in counter. This innovation reduces check-in time and the chance of lost luggage, as electronic tags are more durable and less likely to be misplaced or damaged.
It is important to note that some airports do not accept mobile boarding passes. For example, passengers departing from Moscow (SVO), St. Petersburg (LED), Kazan (KZN), and Rostov (ROV) are required to have a printed boarding pass, as the mobile format is not accepted by the airport authorities. Similarly, some airports, such as Antalya (AYT), Izmir (ADB), Hurghada (HRG), Marsa Alam (RFM), and Samara (KUF), do not accept any form of online boarding pass, and passengers must go to the check-in desk to have their boarding passes printed.
Additionally, some airlines may still require passengers to proceed to a check-in counter for document verification, regardless of their chosen check-in method. This may be necessary, for example, when travelling to countries where a visa is required or to verify the credit card used to purchase the ticket.
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In-town check-in services
In Hong Kong, for example, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Qantas Airways, and Singapore Airlines offer in-town check-in services at Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station. Similarly, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and several other airlines provide in-town check-in services at Seoul Station City Airport Terminal. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer this service at KL Sentral, and in Taipei, China Airlines, EVA Air, and Starlux Airlines provide it at Taipei Main Station.
The in-town check-in service is typically available for passengers whose luggage meets specific size and weight restrictions. Passengers can use smart check-in kiosks to scan their passports or boarding passes, verify their information, select or change their seats, and print their luggage tags and boarding passes. They then proceed to the self-bag drop counter to drop off their luggage.
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Beacon systems
Beacons are hardware transmitters that broadcast their identifiers via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to smartphones in close proximity. They are an essential part of aviation safety, helping pilots locate airports during the night or in low-visibility conditions. The beacon colours indicate the type of airport, such as civilian or military, and their flashing rates are regulated by the FAA for safety.
Beacon technology has been adopted by airports to improve the passenger experience and provide real-time information. For example, at Hamad International Airport (HIA), over 700 iBeacons deliver proactive notifications to passengers' mobile apps, providing information on promotional retail offers, flight status, baggage claim, and navigation to the boarding gate. Similarly, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport has installed beacons throughout the airport to provide retail information to passengers using their mobile app.
Beacon technology can also be used to enhance security and reduce pre-flight stress by providing passengers with actual processing times for long queues. For instance, John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York has implemented beacon technology and a mobile app at Terminal 4, and San Francisco Airport has installed beacons to assist visually impaired passengers with navigation through a dedicated app.
Looking forward, there are plans to utilise beacon technology for mobile payments, such as Chiltern Railways' pilot program for automatic fare payments on its London to Birmingham line. This technology will detect when passengers board and leave the train, potentially revolutionising rail ticketing.
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Frequently asked questions
Smart check-in refers to the digital-driven self-services that passengers can use to check-in at the airport. This includes checking in online via a mobile phone or PDA, using electronic bag tags, and using self-service bag drop counters.
Smart check-in reduces check-in time and queuing at the airport. It also reduces the chance of lost luggage, as electronic tags are more durable and less likely to be misplaced or damaged during handling.
An example of smart check-in is the use of beacons, which are short-range wireless devices that use Bluetooth technology to connect to passengers' smartphones. Beacons can send passengers a map of the airport, push notifications about boarding time, and gate change messages.
