SFO passengers can now check their bags in the parking lot

Passengers departing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can check their luggage at the airport parking lot thanks to the system remote airline check-in servicewhich the airport launched on November 19.

This service is currently only available to passengers 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 . Baggage must be checked at least 90 minutes before scheduled departure time.

This service is free, but airline baggage fees still apply outside the same as when checking bags curbside or inside the check-in counter. Services are offered in two SFO areas, including ParkRight – a long-term parking garage on the 5th floor. Visitors can book online at least two hours in advance to use this lot or pay upon entry. For Thanksgiving travel from November 25 to December 1, parking is available by reservation only.

Additionally, guests can access remote check-in services on the first floor of the car rental center. Each location is connected to the stations via AirTrain.

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

This is the first service offered at an airport in the US, although several airports and airlines have rolled out similar services. At Denver International Airport (DEN), Clear Plus members can check their bags at gate 600, just outside the entrance to the West security checkpoint on the 6th floor.

Airlines have also launched their own services at select airports, including United’s Touchless ID bag drop shortcut at all United centers in the country; Eligible United passengers can biometrically check their bag(s) without having to present a boarding pass or driver’s license. This shortcut allows passengers to check their bags by scanning their boarding passes before staff print their baggage tags, bypassing the usual two-step check-in process.

Delta passengers can also participate Drop the bag without touching at selected airports, incl 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 deployed two new automated bag drop machines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and SFO. The automated bag drop system scans a traveler’s luggage tag to retrieve their booking information before scanning the passenger’s ID to match the facial scan.

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