United Airlines makes baggage change that many will appreciate

United Airlines is testing a baggage timing change aimed at reducing morning queues through its “Twilight Bag Drop” program. The concept lets eligible customers drop checked bags the evening before departure, rather than only accepting bags four hours before domestic flights and six hours before international ones. United began trials at its Chicago O’Hare (ORD) hub in March, asking passengers on flights departing before 9 a.m. via email to choose curbside bag drop the day prior. Bags must be submitted at a United counter between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and the airline said the test was successful, with nearly 1,600 bags checked from March to July. United plans to expand the program to a longer period and potentially additional airports, though specific locations were not confirmed. The airline also teased a separate “home baggage pick-up” pilot indicated by user reports, but it has not been officially announced.