When flying, there’s a big question you have to ask yourself: to check a bag, or not to check a bag? Team checked-bag tends to enjoy the freedom it awards you. After all, when you check a bag, there’s no measuring liquids, no need to squeeze everything into a small carry-on, and no need to take much out once you arrive at security. Team carry-on has the upper hand when it comes to avoiding the baggage fee, however, and there’s no waiting in the ticketing line upon arrival or after your flight at baggage claim.
Photo: United Airlines
United Just Made It Incredibly Fast to Check a Bag at These 7 Airports
The dynamics are changing a bit for some who fly on United Airlines out of certain hub cities, though. The airline has handed team checked-bag another win with its new bag drop shortcut, which will allow customers who check in prior to arrival to skip the line and check a bag in a minute or less on average, virtually eliminating this part of the journey.
“Our initial customer data proves this free, simple-to-use process saves our customers time and energy as they get ready for their flight,” Toby Enqvist, chief customer officer for United, said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to be the first to offer this service to all customers who check-in on our award-winning mobile app.”
To be eligible, customers must check in on the United app and select the number of bags. Once in the airport, customers can find the bag drop, place their bag on the scale, and scan their boarding pass at the kiosk. After a United staff member checks the customer’s ID, they’ll apply the bag tag and customers can head to security.
Airports with United bag drop shortcut service
- Chicago
- Denver
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- New York/Newark
- San Francisco
- Washington DC
Customers can expect the program to expand to dozens more airports this year. 