Alaska Airlines has unveiled a $2.5 billion plan aimed at streamlining the holiday travel experience. The airline is focusing on reducing check-in times by implementing facial recognition technology and other advancements. By removing traditional check-in kiosks, Alaska Airlines aims to get travelers through the ticketing area and onto security in five minutes or less. This effort is in response to the expected surge in travelers during the Thanksgiving season, with the TSA forecasting its biggest crowds ever. By simplifying the check-in process and promoting self-service options, Alaska Airlines hopes to enhance the overall customer experience and alleviate some of the stress associated with holiday travel.
Alaska Airlines’ $2.5 Billion Plan to Streamline Holiday Travel
Alaska Airlines has recently announced a $2.5 billion plan aimed at making holiday travel less of a nightmare. The airline is implementing a series of changes and technological advancements with the ultimate goal of getting travelers through ticketing and security in five minutes or less. With the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expecting its biggest Thanksgiving crowds ever, Alaska Airlines is taking a bold step to improve the travel experience for its customers.
Overview of Alaska Airlines’ Plan
The main objective of Alaska Airlines’ plan is to simplify the check-in process and reduce the amount of time travelers spend waiting in line. The airline is removing traditional check-in kiosks and replacing them with iPad-based stations that only print bag tags. This shift is part of a larger effort to transform the airport lobby and make it more efficient and streamlined.
Additionally, Alaska Airlines is encouraging its customers to check in online and use mobile boarding passes. By increasing pre-check-in and mobile boarding pass usage, the airline aims to reduce the need for customers to stop at the ticketing area altogether. These changes are already showing promising results, with a significant increase in guests arriving at the airport already checked in and using mobile boarding passes.
Looking ahead, Alaska Airlines plans to implement automated bag drop stations that will use facial recognition technology to scan travelers’ faces and government-issued identification. This will further streamline the bag drop process and eliminate the need for customers to interact with a counter or an agent.
The Goal: Getting Travelers Through Ticketing and Security in 5 Minutes or Less
Alaska Airlines’ primary objective is to drastically reduce the time it takes for travelers to go through the ticketing and security process. According to Charu Jain, Alaska’s senior vice president of innovation and merchandising, the airline conducted research that revealed pre-security as a point of friction and anxiety for guests. By eliminating traditional check-in kiosks and implementing iPad-based stations, Alaska Airlines aims to speed up the process and create a more seamless experience for its customers.
The ultimate goal is to get travelers through ticketing and security in five minutes or less. By removing unnecessary steps and leveraging technology, Alaska Airlines is confident that it can achieve this ambitious target. This will not only benefit the airline’s customers but also enhance their overall travel experience.
Removing Check-in Kiosks
Once a pioneer in the implementation of check-in kiosks, Alaska Airlines is now moving away from this technology. The airline has identified the check-in process as a point of friction for its guests and is taking steps to eliminate it. By removing traditional check-in kiosks, Alaska Airlines aims to streamline the ticketing area and reduce the time travelers spend in line.
The decision to remove check-in kiosks is part of a larger $2.5 billion effort by the airline to improve the travel experience for its customers. It reflects Alaska Airlines’ commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and using technology to drive efficiency and customer satisfaction.
An Airport Lobby Overhaul
As part of its plan to streamline holiday travel, Alaska Airlines is undergoing a transformation of the airport lobby. The airline recognizes that the most essential task for customers at the front of the airport is to drop off their bags. With this in mind, Alaska has started replacing its decades-old kiosks with simplified iPad-based stations that only print bag tags.
Guests can quickly scan their boarding pass, and the bag tag will be printed. This streamlined process reduces the time customers spend at the stations from an average of two to three minutes to just 45 seconds. The new iPad stations have been rolled out at 90% of the airports Alaska serves, with encouraging results.
To further expedite the check-in process, Alaska Airlines is actively encouraging customers to check in and download or print their boarding passes before arriving at the airport. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of guests arriving already checked in and using mobile boarding passes.
Simplifying Bag Drop Process
Alaska Airlines is taking significant steps to simplify the bag drop process and make it more efficient for its customers. By replacing outdated kiosks with iPad-based stations, the airline has already made significant progress in reducing the time it takes for travelers to drop off their bags.
The new iPad stations have proven to be much faster, with customers spending an average of 45 seconds at the stations compared to two to three minutes at the older kiosks. This significant time savings allows travelers to move through the check-in process more quickly and efficiently.
In addition to the iPad-based stations, Alaska Airlines plans to introduce automated bag drop stations at its major hubs. These stations will utilize facial recognition technology and government-issued identification to scan and verify travelers’ information. By automating the bag drop process, this technology will further streamline the check-in experience and eliminate the need for customers to interact with a counter or an agent.
Increasing Pre-Check-in and Mobile Boarding Pass Usage
As part of its efforts to streamline holiday travel, Alaska Airlines is actively encouraging its customers to check in and use mobile boarding passes. By increasing pre-check-in and mobile boarding pass usage, the airline aims to reduce the need for customers to visit the ticketing area altogether.
The implementation of iPad-based stations for bag tag printing has been instrumental in driving this shift. By simplifying the check-in process and reducing wait times, more customers are checking in online and using mobile boarding passes. This shift has resulted in a significant increase in the number of guests arriving at the airport already checked in and using mobile boarding passes.
Alaska Airlines views the increased usage of pre-check-in and mobile boarding passes as a top priority for its customers. The airline believes that self-service options are essential to improving the overall travel experience. Furthermore, these new processes will free up lobby agents to provide more personalized assistance to travelers who need additional help.
Larger Changes in the Works
Alaska Airlines’ $2.5 billion plan to streamline holiday travel encompasses more than just the elimination of check-in kiosks and the simplification of the bag drop process. The airline has grander ambitions for transforming the airport lobby and enhancing the overall travel experience for its customers.
Over the next three years, Alaska Airlines plans to introduce automated bag drop stations at its major hubs in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Anchorage. These stations will utilize facial recognition technology and advanced document verification to enable travelers to drop off their bags quickly and securely.
These investments in technology and infrastructure are designed to create a more seamless and efficient travel experience for Alaska Airlines’ customers. By leveraging the latest advancements in facial recognition and mobile technology, the airline aims to stay at the forefront of innovation in the aviation industry.
Conclusion
Alaska Airlines’ $2.5 billion plan to streamline holiday travel is a testament to the airline’s commitment to improving the travel experience for its customers. By removing check-in kiosks and implementing streamlined processes, Alaska Airlines aims to get travelers through ticketing and security in five minutes or less.
The airline’s focus on simplifying the bag drop process, increasing pre-check-in and mobile boarding pass usage, and implementing advanced technologies like facial recognition demonstrate its dedication to efficiency and customer satisfaction.
While Alaska Airlines’ plan is ambitious, it reflects the airline’s determination to leverage technology to drive innovation and create a more enjoyable travel experience. By continuously investing in infrastructure and embracing new technologies, Alaska Airlines is setting a high standard for the aviation industry and paving the way for a future of seamless and stress-free travel.
