by Donald Wood
Last updated: 5:55 PM ET, Mon May 15, 2017
Technology is an important part of the travel industry, and Delta Air Lines is changing the game by adding four self-service bag drop machines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport this summer.
The $600,000 investment will allow passengers to quickly, securely and easily check their own bags. One of the machines is equipped with facial recognition test technology that matches customers with their passport photos through identification verification.
The technology marks an industry first for a United States carrier. The self-service bag drop machines will be a trial process, and Delta will analyze the customer feedback and improve the system moving forward.
"We expect this investment and new process to save customers time," Delta senior vice president Gareth Joyce said in a statement.
"And, since customers can operate the biometric-based bag drop machine independently, we see a future where Delta agents will be freed up to seek out travelers and deliver more proactive and thoughtful customer service."
Adding self-service bag drops and facial-recognition technology are just the latest improvements meant to streamline airport processes. Delta has been at the forefront of the changes, with previous innovations like ticketing kiosks and check-in via the Fly Delta Mobile app.
[READMORE] READ MORE: Delta Adds Premium Headphones for a Good Cause[/READMORE]
Delta has also worked with the Transportation Security Administration at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to implement the first automated screening lanes in the U.S.
Delta's other innovations include developing an app that helps pilots avoid turbulence, launching interactive airport wayfinding maps and enhancing its boarding process.
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