Spirit Airlines celebrates 30 years in Orlando

A Spirit Airlines aircraft on the tarmac.
Photo Credit: Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines has celebrated 30 years of service in Orlando. Marking the occasion, the airline introduced its award-winning self-bag drop system at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The new system is the largest of its kind for the carrier at any airport it operates out of.

Self-bag drop at MCO


Guests can now breeze through check-in at Orlando International Airport (MCO) with the addition of the airline’s award-winning self-bag drop with biometric photo-matching.

It’s the largest set-up of its kind for the carrier at any airport and more than triple the size of Spirit’s next largest self-bag drop operation.

Self-bag drop allows Guests to check bags directly without working with an agent. Spirit’s machines are also equipped with biometric photo-matching capability that compares a scan of government-issued identification with a photo of the Guest for verification.

Following an initial testing period at MCO with both manual ID check and biometric opt-in, the solution will eliminate the need to hand government-issued identification to an agent when checking baggage.

“We’ve grown to become largest ultra-low-fare carrier at MCO, and adding this convenient, self-service option is a significant investment that gives our Guests more control over their journey while spending less time in the lobby,” said Mike Byrom, Vice President of Airports & Crew Services for Spirit Airlines.

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“We thank the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority for their partnership as we celebrate 30 years in this community, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide More Go for travelers to enjoy all that Orlando has to offer.”

How it works


Here’s how the system works:

  • Guests start by tagging their own checked bags after checking in at the kiosk and then proceed to the self-bag drops.
  • Guests are advised of the biometric option after scanning their boarding pass at the self-bag drop unit. They may either opt in and continue unassisted or opt out for agent-assisted service.
  • Once the Guest opts in, the unit instructs them to scan their ID on the built-in hardware.
  • The unit compares its scan of the photo on the ID with a facial scan captured by its on-board camera, along with comparing ID information with the Guest’s reservation details. None of the data is transmitted to any government agency.
  • A successful match initiates the rest of the bag check-in process. Guests are instructed to place their bags on the conveyor belt attached to the unit, which then scans the bags, weighs them, accepts payment for any additional services, and sends them straight into the airport’s checked baggage system without further action from the Guest.

Speeding up the check-in process


Testing data show the new procedure drops average processing time to just 70 seconds per Guest, reducing time spent at bag check by 30 percent.

The self-bag drop system uses software capable of analyzing key physical features on more than 50,000 forms of ID from nearly 200 countries that a Guest could potentially use when traveling in the United States.

Combined with the units’ scanning hardware, the software confirms the authenticity of an ID and rejects fraudulent documents before Guests check their baggage.

The self-bag drop system will complement Spirit’s large presence in Orlando. The airline currently offers service from MCO to more than 50 destinations, including 11 international destinations. Spirit added service from MCO to ten new destinations in the last two years alone. 

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By Len Varley - Assistant Editor 4 Min Read
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