What’s EasyJet Bag Drop At Gatwick like?

When it comes to air travel, we’ve been able to check in online for years while scanning our passport to get through border checks has become the norm. It was only a matter of time before we would be able to check in our baggage ourselves. Gatwick’s Easyjet auto bag drop opened in 2016. We used the facility when it was very new and, understandably, there were teething problems. Since those early days, we have used the system frequently and have experienced fairly swift and convenient system. How does

How does auto bag drop work?

At Gatwick, there are a number of bag drop machines to check in your baggage, minimising wait times. Much like self-service checkouts in supermarkets, once you get used to the process it will be fairly easy.

The staff will check your passport when you get to the front of the queue then you select a bag drop machine. You scan your boarding pass (I have mine electronically on my phone), confirm the flight and place your baggage on the conveyor belt. The machines have a touch screen so very simple.

The baggage weigh is calculated (I’m not sure what happens if you are over the set weight). After answering some security questions,  you can print off the luggage tag. Here comes the fun bit as you attempt to correctly stick it on the bags. There are two circles marked which you stick together. My daughter loves helping out with this part.

If you are travelling with children and have a push chair, pram – or have special equipment such as skis or a surfboard, you will need help from a member of the staff. They need to authorise it. Staff can can get busy but you’re not usually waiting long. You can check in the rest of your baggage unaided.

You then watch as your luggage disappears along the conveyor belt to….wherever it goes…hoping it would successfully make it to the same aircraft as you. Ours has always arrived although the first time we used the auto bag drop, there were teething problems. It was the first few weeks after it opened and as we waited on the runway, we were informed three bags were unaccounted for due to the new auto bag drop system. The tags were on them, so they knew who they belonged to, but the system had not logged them. It was resolved relatively quickly but we missed our flight slot and were delayed for almost an hour. Since that time though, we’ve had no issued and all passengers bags have made it onto the plane.

How good is Gatwick’s Easyjet Bag Drop?

The Easyjet Gatwick bag drop is a far better experience than the old system. I remember waiting in line for up to an hour in Easyjet check in desks before the auto bag drop was introduced. It feels less chaotic. As there are a number of different queues servicing around a section of the machines, it is more spread out and waiting times are reduced. Gatwick has 48 automated self service kiosks to check in your baggage. The airline’s goal is to have wait times of just 5 minutes. I am very pleased that it has cut down on the notorious queues you can encounter with the airline.

EasyJet auto bag drop Gatwick: Need to know

• All the automated bag drop kiosks are located in Gatwick’s North Terminal, level 1
• It’s recommended you check in at least two hours before your flight. Check in desks close 40 minutes prior to the scheduled flight time
• If you are travelling on Easyjet with a buggy, pushchair or pram, you will need assistance from staff to print off the tags. We usually take our one-piece buggy up to the gate and then it is put into the aeroplane’s hold before boarding.
• Visit the website for more information on EasyJet’s Auto Bag Drop

Have you used the EasyJet Auto Bag Drop at Gatwick? Do you think it is a good idea and the future of air travel? I would be interested to hear about your experiences.