6 Airlines Offer Early Bag Check at Phoenix Sky Harbor

New service allows travelers to skip ticket counters and check bags before arriving at the terminal.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Six airlines - Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United - will start offering an Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Wednesday. The service, operated by Bags, a Metropolis company, allows travelers to check their bags before arriving at the airport terminal, skipping the airline ticket counters.

Why it matters

This new service aims to improve the travel experience for passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor by allowing them to check bags more conveniently and efficiently, reducing wait times at the ticket counters.

The details

The Early Bag Check counters will be located at the Rental Car Center and East Economy Parking. The counters will be open daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., including on holidays. Travelers can check up to two bags per person with no additional fee, though standard airline baggage fees will still apply. Bags must be checked at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure and cannot be checked more than four hours in advance. Special items like car seats or sporting equipment still need to be checked at the airline ticket counter.

  • The Early Bag Check service will launch on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Bags

A Metropolis company that operates the Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

Alaska Airlines

One of the six airlines offering the Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

American Airlines

One of the six airlines offering the Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

Delta Air Lines

One of the six airlines offering the Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

Frontier Airlines

One of the six airlines offering the Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

Southwest Airlines

One of the six airlines offering the Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

United Airlines

One of the six airlines offering the Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

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The takeaway

The new Early Bag Check service at Phoenix Sky Harbor is a convenient option for travelers that can help reduce wait times and improve the overall airport experience. As more airlines adopt this service, it could become a standard feature at major airports across the country.