'There is no need to be wary of using the machine. Just step up to it and follow the instructions. It's easy and only takes a few minutes', advises Finavia's Service Advisor Sini Kaikkonen at Helsinki Airport.
These days passengers are asked to take care of their own check-in procedures for more and more flights. It’s easy to do with a check-in machine.
Helsinki Airport, for example, has dozens of machines that can save passengers plenty of time and effort.
If the service disk for your flight says 'bag drop', then it means you must do your check-in using a machine and then drop your baggage at the desk or a self-service point.
'Airports have personnel to advise the passengers. They will tell you when you should use a machine', Kaikkonen says.
You only need a reservation number or passport
Check-in machines identify passengers by their reservation numbers, passports, or airline customer cards.
Even if you can't remember your reservation number, most airlines accept a passport or a customer card for identification. If necessary, you can ask the airline's service desk for your reservation number.
'The bar code on your travel documents can also be used for identification at the check-in machine. You can obtain a bar code by printing your ticket before travelling to the airport, for instance', continues Sini Kaikkonen.
Step-by-step instructions
After you enter the basic information, the machine guides you through the next steps. The screen on the machine is large and easy to read, and the machine doesn't rush you through but waits patiently so you can proceed at your own pace.
So there is no need to hurry or panic!
'You only need to follow the instructions and all will go fine from start to end', Sini Kaikkonen affirms encouragingly.
At the end, the machine prints out a boarding pass that includes a bar code. The printout is an 8-cm-wide strip of thermal paper.
The machine also prints baggage tags for flights operated by Finnair, KLM, Norwegian, and SAS. Other airlines' tags are printed at the bag drop desks.