Delta and Virgin launch self-service bag drop at Heathrow T3
Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic are launching 18 self-service bag-drop units at London Heathrow Terminal 3.
The new self-service units are available for customers on all Delta- and Virgin Atlantic-operated flights to the US.
Through intuitive, easy-to-use technology, customers can drop their bags in under two minutes.
To take advantage of the new machines, customers need to check-in via one of Delta’s self-service channels, then scan their mobile or printed boarding pass, place their luggage on the bag belt, print their bag tag and attach it to the bag, then send the bag for loading.
Bags are then accepted into the system and screened as they would be during the traditional bag drop process at the counter.
Delta senior vice president Europe, Middle East, Africa and India Corneel Koster said: "The new machines are another way that Delta and Virgin Atlantic are working together to ease the journey through our London hub.
Virgin vice president of airports Hayley Parker added: "We’re always looking at ways to improve the customer journey, and self-service bag drop is another example of how we’re making things easier for our customers.
"This new technology enables customers to breeze through the airport, while ensuring our team are still on hand to deliver personalised service and answer queries at all times."
For further peace of mind, the self-service units support Delta’s RFID bag tracking technology by issuing RFID chipped bag tags.
These synch to the Fly Delta app so customers can track their checked bags in real time.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season