Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has announced the official launch of the world’s first Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service.
A ground breaking development in Flight Token smart technology, the new service enables passengers to complete online check-in and scan their travel documents with their smartphones before heading to the airport. Upon arrival at HKIA, they can proceed directly to the Express Bag Drop counters and drop their bags by themselves with their smartphones in under one minute, compared to an average of three minutes at the airline counters or Smart Check-in Kiosks.
HKIA is the only airport in the world where passengers are able to complete all departure procedures using only their smartphones and facial recognition technology, including online check-in, travel document verification, bag drop, entering the security area, and boarding through self-service.
All passengers aged 11 or above travelling on a visa-free journey can enjoy this new service and use Flight Token with their electronic travel documents, including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports issued after 14 May 2019, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (commonly known as the “Home Return Permits”), electronic passports issued by all other countries or regions, or Mainland residents’ Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with valid endorsements for visit.
Currently, all HK Express passengers can use the airline’s app for the Smartphone Express Bag Drop Service. Starting from 1 August 2024, Cathay Pacific will also offer the service to passengers for all destinations, except the United States.