Transportation

Grand Rapids airport launches self-service bag drop system

Joseph Hendrickson - stock.adobe.com

September 14, 2026

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Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has introduced a self-service baggage check system that allows passengers to check in at kiosks, print and attach their own luggage tags and place their bags at automated drop-off units. The service launched Sept. 9 for passengers flying American Airlines, United Airlines and Frontier Airlines, according to a Deep Arrival report, with additional carriers expected to move to the new system by the end of 2027. Traditional ticket counter service remains available.

The self-service system is part of the airport's $135 million Terminal Enhancement Project, which includes expanded ticketing areas, consolidated airline check-in counters and a new Consolidated Baggage Inspection System. The baggage system uses an Individual Carrier System in which each checked bag travels in a dedicated RFID-enabled tote through the screening process. Airport officials say the technology improves baggage tracking and reliability while reducing manual handling and the risk of bags being misrouted or causing conveyor jams.

When fully operational, the baggage system is expected to increase processing capacity from about 600 bags per hour to nearly 1,000, according to the airport. Gerald R. Ford International Airport says it is the first U.S. airport to combine the Individual Carrier System technology with a self-service bag check process. Additional employees are assisting passengers during the rollout as travelers become familiar with the kiosks and automated bag-drop equipment.