San Francisco airport introduces remote airline check-in service

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San Francisco airport introduces remote airline check-in service

Research

Nicky Kelvin Senior director of content | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Nov 29, 2024

Passengers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) now have the option to check their bags in the airport's parking lot. This service, which began on November 19, is available for domestic flights with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. The service operates daily from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., and passengers must check their bags at least 90 minutes before departure.

While this remote airline check-in service is complimentary, standard airline baggage fees still apply as they would when checking bags curbside or inside at the check-in desk. The service is offered in two areas of SFO: ParkRight on level 5 of a long-term parking garage and level one of the rental car center. Both locations are connected to the terminals via the AirTrain. Travelers can book online at least two hours in advance for ParkRight or pay upon entry. During Thanksgiving travel from November 25 to December 1, reservations are required for parking lot access.

According to SFGate, SFO plans to expand this service early next month to include Southwest Airlines and United Airlines passengers.

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This initiative marks a first-of-its-kind service at a U.S. airport, although similar services exist elsewhere. For instance, Denver International Airport (DEN) allows Clear Plus members to check their bags outside the west security checkpoint on level 6.

Airlines have also introduced various bag-checking innovations at select airports. United offers Touchless ID bag drop shortcuts at all domestic hubs where eligible flyers can use biometric technology without showing boarding passes or IDs. Delta provides touchless bag drop options at several airports including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines introduced automated bag drop machines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and SFO that scan travelers' bag tags and match IDs with facial scans.

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