Early Check-In Coming to Suvarnabhumi Airport by February

[snoop1130]

 

Suvarnabhumi International Airport will begin offering an early check-in service by February. This new service allows passengers to check in up to 24 hours before their flight. The Transport Ministry announced this on social media, explaining that the goal is to make travel easier and to cut down on congestion at Thailand’s main international airport.

 

Kerati Kijmanawat, President of Airports of Thailand (AoT), confirmed that they expect to start this service by February. Additionally, they plan to build a children's playground, also by February, and increase the non-commercial space in the terminal by the end of next year. "These enhancements are part of our plan to make Suvarnabhumi Airport one of the top 20 best airports in the world in the next five years," Kerati stated.

 

At present, Suvarnabhumi is ranked 58th globally by Skytrax and is the third-best airport in Southeast Asia, behind Changi Airport in Singapore and Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta. Kerati noted in September that one reason for the low ranking is the airport's lack of facilities compared to others in cities like Singapore and Tokyo. Improving these facilities is essential for better passenger experiences and higher rankings.

 

 

There are plans to increase the airport's capacity to handle 150 million passengers each year within five years. This will require expanding the existing terminal and building a new one to serve the rising number of travelers. Currently, the airport serves nearly 60 million passengers annually, making these upgrades important for future requirements.

 

Overall, these strategic improvements aim to elevate Suvarnabhumi as a top airport in the region and worldwide, showcasing Thailand's dedication to advancing its aviation services and infrastructure.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-12

 

 

[Cardano]

Dont know where this story originated from but it dosen't make any sense, it is the airline not the airport that determines whether there is online early check-in. It has been available for many years with many international airlines flying out of Suvarnabhumi. Maybe its a Thai Airways thing!

[Homburg]

Will we also be able to clear immigration online?  No, didn't think so, we'll still have to queue for hours.  

[josephbloggs]

2 minutes ago, Homburg said:

Will we also be able to clear immigration online?  No, didn't think so, we'll still have to queue for hours.  

When have you ever queued for hours??

[still kicking]

12 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

When have you ever queued for hours??

I did que for 5 hours and missed my fight because of wrong information 

[Homburg]

1 minute ago, josephbloggs said:

When have you ever queued for hours??

More often on arrival than departure tbf, although when you add the time taken at security and immigration you can sometimes be quite stressed to get to the departure gate in time.   On arrival I recall one time that by the time I got through immigration all the baggage had been removed from the carousel and stacked up - and I was one of the first from my flight to get to immigration. 

[richard_smith237]

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

At present, Suvarnabhumi is ranked 58th globally by Skytrax and is the third-best airport in Southeast Asia, behind Changi Airport in Singapore and Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta.

 

This one stood out for me...  There has to be a massive misunderstanding somewhere, Jakarta Airport is awful...

 

I'd agree, Suvarnambhumi Airport is third-best in South East Asia, but behind Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and is significantly better than Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta.

 

 

Also note: these early 'check-in' counters, will not solve queues at immigration, though I don't think this is such an issue any more.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, still kicking said:

I did que for 5 hours and missed my fight because of wrong information 

 

I'm in and out multiple times per year and have never seen congestion to this extent - must be more to this story. 

(I only ever arrive at the airport 2 hours before the flight).

 

In the UK (a couple of summers ago) the security queues where colossal and that nearly led to many missing flights - they had to call people though... so we were waiting in the queue for hours until our flight was called and we were fast tracked - Worst I've seen any airport. With new scanners, the security is much quicker in the UK now.

 

 

Thus: IF Thailand had the faster scanners, Faster Immigration queues and more 'check-in' staff (which is airline dependent) then they could streamline people though the departures process...  But, all needs to be addressed at once, not just individual facets. 

[it is what it is]

2 hours ago, Homburg said:

Will we also be able to clear immigration online?  No, didn't think so, we'll still have to queue for hours.  

 

yea, most airlines allow prior online check in, and have done for years. the bottleneck is progression through immigration

[Spilornis]

It's all about the ability of the automated baggage systems to store and automatically process the luggage in the 24 hour period. Judging from its operation in Singapore it's not cheap and is often only available to business class passengers.

In the past this was done manually for transit passengers with long layovers but now there are automated holding cages.

[Mburo]

150 million tourists. Good grief  ! 

[Nickcage49]

The problem with these announcements is they never have details.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Suvarnabhumi International Airport will begin offering an early check-in service by February. This new service allows passengers to check in up to 24 hours before their flight. The Transport Ministry announced this on social media, explaining that the goal is to make travel easier and to cut down on congestion at Thailand’s main international airport.

A step in the right direction.

[treetops]

On 11/12/2024 at 11:58 AM, Cardano said:

Dont know where this story originated from but it dosen't make any sense, it is the airline not the airport that determines whether there is online early check-in. It has been available for many years with many international airlines flying out of Suvarnabhumi. Maybe its a Thai Airways thing!

 

The article doesn't mention online check-in but only "early check-in" and going by the photo it's referring to the automated check-in (and bag drop) service.  It looks like this will be available 24 hours prior to departure, although what benefit that gives, if any, is questionable.

 

[Spilornis]

Here's a video on the automated baggage storage system allowing early check in at Changi airport

 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/changi-airport-terminal-2-introduces-fully-automated-baggage-storage-facility-early-check-ins-video-3999491

 

My old favourite used to be city check in facilities. Very few of those left these days

[Emdog]

Cut down on congestion? Now a traveler can make TWO trips to the airport (one to check in, one to actually leave) so just how will that relieve congestion.... and as for all that luggage: stored where? Transported to some holding area... giving up space that could be used for any number of useful functions: parking, shopping, customs shake downs..... also give larceny minded baggage handlers more time to leisurely go through your belongings pre-flight.

[Cardano]

22 hours ago, treetops said:

 

The article doesn't mention online check-in but only "early check-in" and going by the photo it's referring to the automated check-in (and bag drop) service.  It looks like this will be available 24 hours prior to departure, although what benefit that gives, if any, is questionable.

 

It still doesen't make any sense; airlines not airports offer early check-in online 24-48hrs before departure so why would you want to make an extra trip to the airport 24 hrs before just to drop off your luggage. It sounds like stupidity personified, which to be honest is not surprising for this country, they impliment ideas and withdraw them later when they go tits-up.

[vangrop]

This automatic check in is beatiful, but... You still have to check in your luggage and there will be the congestion. I did it in Brussels and the waiting time was longer for the people who checked in automaticaly then the ones who did the classic check in.

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, Cardano said:

It still doesen't make any sense; airlines not airports offer early check-in online 24-48hrs before departure so why would you want to make an extra trip to the airport 24 hrs before just to drop off your luggage. It sounds like stupidity personified, which to be honest is not surprising for this country, they impliment ideas and withdraw them later when they go tits-up.

Oh my God, why are people on here so stupid, so anti Thai, so negative that they come out with stuff like this?

Do you really think they introduced it to make people go to the airport twice???

Changi introduced something similar and it is a good service for those who want or need it. 

Imagine you are flying late night. Your hotel kicks you out at noon. Lots of short term transit passengers stay near the airport. Go in the morning or the day before, check in, your bags are gone and safe, then you are free to roam the city and do whatever you like. Just come back in time for your flight.

Oh, and airlines do not offer early check in with bags 48 hours before. They offer online check in 48 hours before. Generally the bag drop counters and regular check in desks open three hours before your flight. Thai Airways is the exception as their check in desks are manned 24/7 but even they limit how early you can check in as there is no process for automatically storing bags - until now.

If you live here, if you don't need the service, turn up and check in for your flight 2-3 hours before like you normally do. This is a service for people who might find it useful, it is not compulsory. It is just an added convenience for some passengers.

Again, do you really think people now have to make an extra trip?? I despair.

 

[Ralf001]

errr what.

 

I thought it normal to check in 24hrs early to secure a desired seat.

 

Do others not do this ?

[josephbloggs]

15 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

errr what.

 

I thought it normal to check in 24hrs early to secure a desired seat.

 

Do others not do this ?

Online. 

This is physical check in and getting rid of your bags 24 hours in advance.

And online check in is handled by your airline, not the airport.

[fobuff]

On 11/12/2024 at 6:58 AM, Cardano said:

Dont know where this story originated from but it dosen't make any sense, it is the airline not the airport that determines whether there is online early check-in. It has been available for many years with many international airlines flying out of Suvarnabhumi. Maybe its a Thai Airways thing!

Thai airways does not allow early check in in BKK

[Cardano]

19 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Oh my God, why are people on here so stupid, so anti Thai, so negative that they come out with stuff like this?

Do you really think they introduced it to make people go to the airport twice???

Changi introduced something similar and it is a good service for those who want or need it. 

Imagine you are flying late night. Your hotel kicks you out at noon. Lots of short term transit passengers stay near the airport. Go in the morning or the day before, check in, your bags are gone and safe, then you are free to roam the city and do whatever you like. Just come back in time for your flight.

Oh, and airlines do not offer early check in with bags 48 hours before. They offer online check in 48 hours before. Generally the bag drop counters and regular check in desks open three hours before your flight. Thai Airways is the exception as their check in desks are manned 24/7 but even they limit how early you can check in as there is no process for automatically storing bags - until now.

If you live here, if you don't need the service, turn up and check in for your flight 2-3 hours before like you normally do. This is a service for people who might find it useful, it is not compulsory. It is just an added convenience for some passengers.

Again, do you really think people now have to make an extra trip?? I despair.

 

There's always one doesn't read the opening post and subsequent threads but immediately launches into the stupid people and anti-Thai mentality and then try and convince everybody that the pointless idea is actually a good idea. The headline of the post is....
"Suvarnabhumi International Airport will begin offering an early check-in service by February. This new service allows passengers to check in up to 24 hours before their flight. The Transport Ministry announced this on social media, explaining that the goal is to make travel easier and to cut down on congestion at Thailand’s main international airport."

Do you see any mention of luggage drop-off?

And just for your information there are several luggage storage companies at the airport that have been in operation since the airport opened, about B100 per day.
So to clarify; early check-in can be done online and only with the airline you booked with and baggage drop-off and storage has always been available. Like I said orininally it does not make any sense.