Alaska Airlines Adds ID Verification at Bag Drop in Seattle and Portland

Alaska Airlines Expands Automated Bag Drop with ID Verification in Seattle and Portland

One year ago, Alaska Airlines introduced automated bag drop technology in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. Now, in Seattle and Portland, travellers can verify their identity directly at Automated Bag Drop units.

The process is simple:

1. Check in on the Alaska Airlines app – Use the app to check in, pay for bags, get boarding passes, track flights, or make seat changes.

2. Tag your bags – At a Bag Tag Station or kiosk, scan your boarding pass QR code to print and attach tags.

3. Drop your bags – At the Automated Bag Drop Unit, scan your bag tag, then your ID. A facial scan matches your face to the ID photo before dispatching your bag.

Facial recognition is optional. Guests may choose manual ID verification with an agent. Photos taken for ID verification are deleted once the match is complete.

In Seattle, Alaska Airlines is also progressing with its lobby update at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This month, 10 additional Automated Bag Drops and 8 Bag Tag stations opened, aiming to reduce lines and improve flow. The full lobby project is scheduled for completion in 2026.