easyJet, the UK-based European regional airline, has launched a partnership with home bag drop service, AirPortr, offering passengers travelling from London Gatwick the option to check their luggage in online and have it collected from their doorstep by cab drivers and taken directly to the airport.
The move comes after research claimed that over three quarters of travellers preferred to be luggage free on the day of their flight. Under the agreement, AirPortr will pick up luggage from the passenger’s doorstep, and safely deliver it to easyJet’s bag drop at Gatwick Airport. Customers can then collect their baggage at their destinations baggage reclaim.
Andrew Middleton, director of Ancillary Revenue at easyJet, said: ‘We are excited to be introducing AirPortr’s services to our passengers, starting with Gatwick services. Whether a flight is for business or leisure, we are confident the home bag drop service is a fantastic initiative to improve a traveller’s experience. easyJet is proud to continue to develop our product offering with innovative companies such as AirPortr.’
Randel Darby, CEO of AirPortr, said: ‘Particularly when flying short-haul with hold luggage, a disproportionate amount of journey time can be spent on the ground getting to and through the airport. We’re delighted to work with easyJet to overcome this, starting their passengers’ journey at home, saving valuable time and providing hassle free travel, all at an affordable price.
‘With easyJet’s reputation for leading digital innovation, we will see the service integrated into the customer journey in new ways, such as being offered alongside great baggage fares when booking a flight.
‘We’re proud to be working with an airline with a start-up mentality but Europe-wide scale, as we continue to lead the development of at-home bag check-in services.’
The service is available for flights to any of easyJet’s destinations across Europe from London Gatwick, the airline’s biggest UK base. The premium product allows passengers to check in a piece of luggage and choose a one-hour pick-up time slot for as little as GBP30. Alternatively, a GBP40 value product includes collection of up to 4 pieces of luggage within a 3 hour window.
More information is available at homebagdrop.easyjet.com.
