A clever travel hack that can gift passengers precious extra time and significantly reduce airport stress is being expanded by easyJet. The airline's Twilight Bag Drop service is now available at Birmingham Airport, offering a convenient solution for those on early morning departures.
What is the Twilight Bag Drop Service?
This innovative scheme allows travellers to check in their hold luggage the evening before their flight departs. It's a boon for anyone living nearby, staying in an airport hotel, or simply wanting to avoid the morning rush. Passengers can enjoy a smoother, less hectic start to their journey by completing the bag drop process well ahead of the traditional check-in window.
At Birmingham Airport, the service launched on January 5 and is available for all easyJet customers on flights departing before 9am. Bags can be dropped off between 4pm and 8pm the day before travel. As an added perk, users also receive discounted parking for one hour in the airport's Premium Set Down car park.
Which Airlines and Airports Offer This Service?
easyJet is not alone in providing this convenient option. The carrier first introduced the Twilight Bag Drop at seven other UK airports: London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Belfast.
Other major airlines have implemented similar schemes at various locations across the country. These include:
- Ryanair
- Jet2
- Virgin Atlantic
- British Airways
Research by Rip-Off Britain indicates that Edinburgh Airport offers the widest selection of airlines with a twilight bag drop facility. It's worth noting that policies can vary; some airports permit a lead passenger to drop off bags for up to six people, provided they have all the necessary passports and travel documents.
Beyond the Airport: Alternative Luggage Solutions
For those seeking an even more hands-off approach, several companies offer door-to-door luggage delivery services. Firms like BagBudy will collect your bags from your home, office, or hotel and transport them directly to the airport terminal, where you meet a representative before check-in.
This service, which partners with airlines including British Airways, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic, currently operates in southeast England for London airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick. The ultimate convenience is that you then simply collect your bags from the carousel at your destination.
With any luggage service, security remains paramount. Ellis German, head of travel insurance at Co-op Insurance, advises travellers to personalise their suitcases to deter theft and aid recovery. "Thieves will often target generic, blank cases," he said. "You could use a bright luggage strip or ribbon to tie round the handle or add a sticker or colourful tape."
As airport passenger numbers continue to rebound, services like the Twilight Bag Drop are becoming invaluable for streamlining the travel experience. Passengers are advised to always check their airline's website for specific time windows and availability at their departure airport.
