Spirit Airlines will introduce an automated self-bag drop and biometric photo-matching system for its customers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The low-cost carrier has launched an initial testing period at ATL, where Spirit customers currently check an annual daily average of about 1,000 bags.

Streamlining the check-in process

Spirit Airlines operates 163 weekly flights from Atlanta International Airport onboard its Airbus fleet. The low-cost carrier wants to streamline the check-in process in Atlanta, introducing new self-service and biometric options for its passengers.

According to the airline, it has introduced a new automated self-bag drop with a biometric photo-matching system, which drops the processing time to just 70 seconds on average, reducing time spent at bag check by 30%.

Mike Byrom, Vice President of Airport Services for Spirit Airlines, said,

"We're on a mission to find innovative opportunities to continue improving every facet of the guest experience by making this investment in self-service, so guests spend less time in lobbies. Our guests are tech-savvy, and they appreciate options for controlling their travel journey. Another reason why the technology is advantageous for guests is that it complements our staffing and helps preserve the consistency of service."

Self Bag Drop Spirit Atlanta
Spirit has introduced a self-bag drop system in Los Angeles. Photo: Spirit

How does it work?

The self-bag drop system allows customers to check bags directly without working with an agent. This is how the system works:

  1. The passenger tags their checked bags after checking in at the kiosk and then proceeds to the self-bag drops.
  2. Once there, customers are advised of the biometric option after scanning their boarding pass at the self-bag drop unit. They can continue unassisted or opt-out and go through a manual ID check.
  3. If they continue unassisted, Spirit’s biometric machine instructs them to scan their ID. Then, the unit compares its scan of the photo on the ID with a facial scan captured by its onboard camera and compares the ID information with the client’s reservation details.
  4. Once there is a successful match, the rest of the bag check-in process begins. The passengers are instructed to place their bags on the conveyor belt attached to the unit. At this time, the bags are scanned and weighed before sending them into the airport’s checked baggage system without further action from the passenger. If needed, the machine accepts payment for any additional service.

Spirit Airlines is currently testing the system at ATL and offering both manual ID checks and biometric opt-in.

Moreover, Spirit’s self-bag drop system can analyze key physical features on more than 50,000 forms of ID from nearly 200 countries, said the airline.

ATL Self Bag Drop 3
The new system drops the processing time to just 70 seconds on average. Photo: Spirit.

Spirit in Atlanta

In addition to introducing the self-bag drop system, Spirit has also created a new crew base in Atlanta. It will open this summer, and the airline is looking for more than 100 pilots and 200 flight attendants who will be based at the airport.

Currently, Spirit Airlines operates about 163 flights per week from Atlanta. The airline flies to Baltimore, Cleveland, Dallas Fort Worth, Detroit, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Chicago O’Hare, Philadelphia, and Tampa.

Spirit’s most important route from Atlanta goes to Fort Lauderdale, where it has four daily flights.

Have you tried Spirit’s new self-bag drop system? How was it? Let us know in the comments below.