The new system was introduced in the summer, allowing passengers to check in their baggage themselves at the airport.
Using their boarding pass, passengers for short and medium-haul destinations operated by Brussels Airlines and the other companies in the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian), can now print out baggage labels at one of these kiosks and check in their suitcases or luggage themselves.
To facilitate this a new zone has been installed near check-in row 4, featuring 16 label kiosks and 6 bag drops where the suitcase is weighed and placed on the belt to the baggage hall.
Agents of Brussels Airlines can help the passengers if assistance is needed.
It’s all about time and time saving
Bag drops being mostly staffless offer significant time savings. As the world has moved onto self-check-in and check from home, Brussels Airlines notes that more than 75% of the passengers check in at home and have their boarding pass with them.
With this digital enablement, they can continue the bag drop process, with up to 400 passengers per hour can check in their baggage.
For those who need the human touch, passengers can of course also still make use of the manned check-in desks.
From pilot to production
This system was deployed during the summer holidays and is now fully operational as of September.
During the months of July and August, 35.000 suitcases, or almost 10% of the suitcases of the short and medium-haul flights of the Lufthansa Group, were checked in using the Baggage drop-off.
Both Brussels Airlines and Brussels Airport will be monitoring this pilot, with a view to expansion possibilities in the future.
Speeding people through – providing there is support
Systems like this are wonderful when there are no issues and people know exactly what to expect and follow all the expected flows.
However, as we all know, we live in a very imperfect world. Systems break down. Kiosks will ask questions that people have trouble comprehending. Barcode scanners will break.
Ensuring that there is adequate support to help passengers during this part of the journey will be key when passengers need assistance.
Because as we all know, technology as wonderful it is – is not perfect.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond. Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, featuring in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can follow me on Instagram too!
Also, remember that we are part of the BoardingArea community, bringing you the latest frequent flyer news from around the world.
