One of the busiest airlines at the Orlando International Airport unveiled a new set of self-bag drop machines that they believe will drastically reduce check-in wait times.
On Tuesday, Spirit Airlines unveiled 19 newly installed self-bag drop units at the airport during a celebration recognizing 30 years of service at the airport.
The system allows guests to check bags directly without working with an agent. Each machine is equipped with biometric photo-matching capabilities that compare a scan of a government-issued identification with a photo of the guest for verification.
Guests will start the process by tagging their own checked bags after checking in at the kiosk and proceeding to the self-bag drops. After opting into the biometric option, guests are instructed to scan their IDs into the hardware.
The unit then compares its scan of the photo on the ID with a facial scan captured by its on-board camera, along with comparing identifying information with the guest’s reservation details. None of the data is transmitted to any government agency, according to the company.
The self-bag drop system analyzes key physical features on more than 50,000 forms of ID from 200 countries that a guest could potentially use when traveling in the United States.
According to the company, the setup is the largest of its kind for the carrier at any airport and is more than triple the size of its next largest self-bag drop operation. Officials believe the new machines will eliminate the need to hand government-issued IDs to agents while checking baggage.
Currently, the airline checks up to 8,000 bags a day on peak days at the airport, each of which represents an agent interaction that can now be eliminated or streamlined. Tests show that the new procedure drops average processing time to just 70 seconds per guest, and reduces bag check time by 30%.
“We’ve grown to become the largest ultra-low-fare carrier at MCO, and adding this convenient, self-service option is a significant investment that gives our guests more control over their journey while spending less time in the lobby,” said Mike Byrom, Vice President of Airports & Crew Services for Spirit Airlines.
Spirit developed the nation’s first biometric photo-matching solution for domestic air travel in 2019 in partnership with Materna Intelligent Passenger Solutions North America. The system currently operates in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles.