American ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has launched its automated self-bag drop technology with a biometric photo-matching system at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to enhance the travel experience.
The ticket lobby has been redesigned to incorporate technology that reduces face-to-face interaction and streamlines flight check-ins at DFW.
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To use the biometric photo-matching system, Spirit Airlines guests will be required to tag their own bags after check-in at the kiosk and then move to the automated self-bag drops.
After scanning the boarding pass, guests will be notified about the biometric option, which they can use.
If the guest is willing to avail of the service, then the unit asks the guest to scan their ID through the built-in hardware.
Once scanned, the unit compares the photo on the ID with the facial scan recorded by its onboard camera and will compare identification details with the guests’ reservation information.
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By GlobalDataAfter a successful match, the rest of the automated bag check-in process is initiated and guests will have to place their bags on the conveyor belt attached to the unit.
Once placed, the unit scans and weighs the baggage and will also accept payments for additional optional services, if any, and then sends them to the airport’s checked baggage system.
For the development of the biometric photo-matching solution, Spirit Airlines partnered with Materna Intelligent Passenger Solutions (IPS) North America.
In addition to DFW, Spirit’s self-bag drop system has already been deployed at New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) airports.
Spirit Airlines Airport Services vice-president Mike Byrom said: “We’ve been on a mission to find opportunities to continue improving every facet of the Guest experience to include investing in automation and self-service to streamline the travel journey so Guests spend less time in lobbies.
“Our Guests are tech-savvy and they appreciate options. Also, limiting touchpoints and unnecessary face-to-face interactions is currently changing the way airports operate.”
