Delta announced they would be testing a new self-service baggage drop system this summer in Minneapolis-St. Paul that will allow passengers to check-in and check their own bags and will use facial recognition to match their face to their passport photo according to Delta.

Per Delta,

Delta is introducing four self-service bag drop machines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport this summer, a $600,000 investment that allows customers to quickly, securely and easily check their own bags. One machine will be equipped to test facial recognition technology to match customers with their passport photos through identification verification, a first for U.S. carriers.

The airline’s introduction of self-service bag drops and facial-recognition technology is a natural next step in its work to streamline airport processes and is complimented by Delta’s industry-leading radio frequency identification technology. Previous self-service innovations like ticketing kiosks and check-in via the Fly Delta Mobile app have transformed congested lobby areas and drastically improved customer satisfaction scores.

The airline will collect customer feedback during the trial and run process analyses to ensure that this lobby enhancement improves the overall customer experience. Studies have found that self-service bag drops have the potential to process twice as many customers per hour.

This is a great innovation by Delta and I wouldn’t be surprised if more airlines follow. As Delta partners with CLEAR, I’m surprised they aren’t using the CLEAR technology to verify biometrics for the baggage drop. Perhaps, that can be built in to the self-service baggage drop down the road if this gets rolled out at more airports.

What are your thoughts on Delta’s self service baggage drop? Feel free to share below!