Transportation

Virgin Australia shifts to one-stop check-in system

Photo: Adobe Stock

May 15, 2026

Summarize withChatGPTGrokPerplexityClaude

Virgin Australia is replacing traditional airport check-in kiosks with a new one-step bag drop system designed to speed passenger processing and reduce operational costs, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.

The system allows travelers who have already checked in through the airline's app or website to scan their digital boarding pass, print a bag tag and drop luggage without scanning the boarding pass a second time. The airline said the change could reduce boarding processing times by as much as half.

Virgin Australia General Manager of Digital Alex Plumme said the new process is intended to create a more seamless travel experience, similar to app-based transportation services. About 80% of Virgin passengers already use online check-in channels, according to the airline. The company is also introducing dedicated Priority Bag Drop areas for Velocity Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus frequent flyer members.

The rollout comes as airlines continue investing in digital tools and self-service technologies to improve the passenger experience and streamline airport operations. Rival Qantas previously upgraded its kiosks to focus on bag-tag printing and introduced reusable trackable bag tags for frequent flyers. Virgin's system will launch first at airports in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Mackay and the Sunshine Coast before expanding to Melbourne, Adelaide, Launceston and the Gold Coast.

The self-service bag drop systems are supplied by Beumer Group, which said the technology can shorten queues, ease congestion and improve airport space usage. The company added that streamlined check-in processes can also increase passenger dwell time in terminals, potentially benefiting airport retailers and food service operators.