Blog

Passengers departing San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can check their bags in the airport’s parking lot thanks to its remote airline check-in service, which the airport launched Nov. 19.

This service is currently only available for flyers on domestic flights on select airlines — specifically Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue — from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Bags must be checked at least 90 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure time.

This service is complimentary, but airline baggage fees still apply outside as they would when checking bags curbside or inside at the check-in desk. Service is available in two SFO areas, including ParkRight — a long-term parking garage on level 5. Travelers can book online at least two hours in advance to use this lot or pay upon entry. For Thanksgiving travel from Nov. 25 to Dec.1, the parking lot is restricted to those with reservations.

Additionally, travelers can access the remote airline check-in service on level one of the rental car center. Each location connects to the terminals via the AirTrain.

SFO will expand this service to include passengers flying on Southwest Airlines and United Airlines early next month, according to reporting by SFGate.

This is the first-of-its-kind service at a U.S. airport, although several airports and airlines have implemented similar services. At Denver International Airport (DEN), Clear Plus members can check their bags at door 600, right outside the entry to the west security checkpoint on level 6.

Airlines have also implemented their own services at select airports, including United’s Touchless ID bag drop shortcut at all domestic United hubs; eligible United flyers can biometrically check their bag(s) without having to show their boarding pass or driver’s license. This shortcut allows passengers to check their bags by scanning their boarding passes before an agent prints their bag tags, bypassing the usual two-step check-in process.

Delta passengers can also participate in touchless bag drop at select airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines implemented two new automated bag drop machines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and SFO. The automated bag drop scans travelers’ bag tags to retrieve their reservations before scanning passengers’ IDs, which are matched to a facial scan.

Related reading:

• Attention, Clear users: Expedited curbside bag drop-off service is now available in Denver
• TSA PreCheck travelers will no longer have to show ID or boarding pass at certain airports
• I tried the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at O’Hare — and it’s a game changer
• TSA to pilot self-service security screening in Las Vegas
• Delta Air Lines hopes to speed passengers through airports with biometrics
• 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear