Starting July 19, 2021, British Airways customers traveling from London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 can now drop off and check-in their luggage with partner AirPortr as soon as they step off the Heathrow Express. Home or office baggage collection is also available from £19.
On Thursday (July 15, 2021), British Airways announced an expanded partnership with AirPortr which offers customers traveling from London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 the ability to drop off and check-in their luggage as soon as they step off the Heathrow Express. The first drop-off point at the Heathrow Express train platforms will allow customers to drop their bags at peak times (05:00-10:00) where the AirPortr team seals, secures and checks-in bags for the customers’ flights, allowing them to travel bag-free directly to security. The new service will launch on July 19th and is free of charge for customers who have already checked in at home. AirPortr also offers baggage collection from a customer’s home or office up to 24 hours prior to departure from £19.
In Thursday’s announcement, British Airways’ Director of Customer Experience, Tom Stevens, said,
“Ahead of July 19, we have been busy investigating and trialing ways to ensure that we can offer our customers the smoothest journey through the airport possible. We believe this contactless initiative with AirPortr allows our customers to avoid baggage check-in queues and move through the airport without the hassle of carrying luggage, as well as offering the reassurance that we are doing everything we can to ensure the safe delivery of their bags from doorstep to destination.”
AirPortr Technologies’ CEO and Founder, Randel Darby, added,
“We’re proud to be able to play our part in helping British Airways and its customers with the restart of international travel this summer. Seamless, contact-free journeys through the airport are in everyone’s best interests and removing bags from the equation makes this possible for many more people. As the specialist in this space, we’re excited to be working with British Airways once again to lead development of innovative new baggage solutions, for the benefit of customers travelling in a post-pandemic world.”
Customers choosing to book baggage collection form their home or office from £19 will be greeted by a vetted delivery driver who will seal the bags, which will be monitored throughout the delivery process. Bookings for home or office bag collection must be made for an agreed time within 24 hours of departure, with free changes and cancellations up to three hours before collection. The luggage can then be tracked by travelers online from the moment it is collected or dropped off at T5 up until the time it is loaded onto the aircraft. Customers will also receive a digital bag tag receipt. In addition to AirPortr’s new express bag drop options, British Airways also offers a special twilight bag drop service at Heathrow Terminal 5, where travelers can drop their bags between 16:00 and 21:00 the day before they travel.
In 2016, AirPortr launched the world’s first airline-integrated home bag check-in and delivery service in partnership with British Airways. The service is trusted by over 100,000 UK travelers annually and has received a 5/5 rating on the global feedback engine Feefo. To utilize the service, customers must have checked online, be present, and must present their passport. The vetted and trained drivers will secure the baggage and digitally validate the customer’s travel documents. Customers will be informed on the progress of their bags via e-mail, SMS or through the AirPortr app. Collection slots are limited, so travelers are advised to book early. Standard airline baggage allowances apply. For more information or to view a map of eligible pickup areas please visit airportr.com/ba or click here.
Source: British Airways