United Airlines and Aer Lingus are stepping up their luggage recovery game with the integration of Apple AirTags and the Find My network, all aimed at enhancing the experience of their travelers. With lost luggage being every traveler's nightmare, these airlines are seizing technology to assure their customers of quicker reunions with their bags.
United Airlines is the first major carrier to adopt this innovative tech. According to their recent press release, "Customers can now securely share the location of an AirTag or Find My network accessory with United customer service agents through the United app for faster bag recovery and an even-better overall travel experience." This new feature aligns with United's commitment to improving customer service, especially for those unfortunate few (less than 1% of customers) whose bags arrive late.
The functionality is straightforward: if your bag goes missing, you can create and submit a delayed baggage report through the United app. Travelers equipped with AirTags can generate a 'Share Item Location' link from their device and include it with their report. This empowers authorized United customer service agents to track the item’s location on an interactive map, updating as new data becomes available. Privacy and security are also prioritized; customers can revoke access anytime, and the shared location will expire seven days after the report, keeping everyone's peace of mind intact.
Aer Lingus has also jumped on the Apple AirTag bandwagon, announcing similar functionality. Susanne Carberry, Aer Lingus Chief Customer Officer, stated, "At Aer Lingus, we are dedicated to ensuring our customers enjoy seamless travel experiences. Integr integrating Apple’s Share Item Location feature allows us to… assist us in locating the checked baggage item and returning it quickly." Like United, Aer Lingus customers can generate shareable links for their AirTags and submit them when filing baggage claims.
Both airlines have made it clear—this innovative baggage tracking technology is not just about efficiency. It’s about enhancing customer confidence as they travel. Lost luggage can be incredibly distressing and inconvenient, so having the capability to trace their belongings provides travelers with significant peace of mind.
The trend of integrating Apple AirTags is not limited to United and Aer Lingus. International Airlines Group (IAG SA), which owns British Airways and Iberia, has announced similar integrations across all of its carriers. Annalisa Gigante, IAG SA head of innovation, noted, "We can see exactly where everything is and reunite passengers with bags as quickly as possible." This broader industry application of tech like AirTags hints at its transformative potential throughout aviation.
Apple has expressed its ambition for these technologies as well. Following their original announcement, they indicated more than 15 airlines across the globe were set to integrate the 'Share Item Location' feature. This includes not just United and Aer Lingus, but also industry giants like Delta Air Lines, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines, to name just a few.
This wave of technology adoption builds on the growing trend of real-time baggage tracking, spurred on by incidents such as the massive disruptions faced by travelers during the 2022 holiday season. The fallout then led to thousands of bags being reported lost, prompting the need for more innovative solutions to prevent similar occurrences from happening again.
With all the attention on secure and efficient tracking, industry professionals and travelers alike are optimistic. The introduction of AirTags and improved customer service practices could signify the start of more traveler-friendly policies and technological advancements across airlines.
So, if you’re flying with United or Aer Lingus this holiday season, attaching an Apple AirTag to your luggage might just add to your travel experience. Not only does it provide peace of mind, but it also aligns you with the growing trend of tech-enhanced travel. One can’t help but think, with advancements like these, lost baggage might soon become just another thing of the past.
