United Airlines has introduced touchless check-in technology
at London Heathrow airport, allowing passengers to check in for their flights
without touching kiosks, even if they are checking luggage.
Customers can use the service by checking in on the United
app, where they can also add bags and pay any applicable fees. At the airport,
passengers then scan their boarding pass at the check-in kiosks using their
mobile device or a printed copy and any luggage tags associated with the
reservation are printed automatically. Customers can also self-scan their
boarding passes at gate readers and are provided with an individually wrapped
hand sanitiser wipe as they board the aircraft.
The touchless technology is already available at all US airports where United owns check-in kiosks.
United said the technology is one element of its United
CleanPlus initiative, which aims to protect the health and safety of staff and
passengers during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. The airline has partnered
with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio to provide guidance on its policies and procedures,
which include mandatory face coverings, enhanced cleaning protocols and the use
of electrostatic sanitisation sprays on all aircraft before departure.