Apple’s newest AirTag feature is expected to make finding lost luggage a little easier for frequent fliers.
The iPhone giant announced the introduction of a software feature that allows users to temporarily share the location of an AirTag or Find My network with trusted third parties, including airlines like Delta and United.
When it launches, users can use the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to generate a “Share Item Location” link that will allow any recipient to view the missing item’s location on an interactive map. The website will automatically update with the item’s latest known location and show a timestamp of the most recent update.
The feature will be released with iOS 18.2, which is expected to roll out in December, along with the next wave of Apple Intelligence features, including ChatGPT integration. However, Share Item Location is now available in the public beta for iOS 18.2. You’ll need an iPhone X or later to access the feature.
Apple said it’s partnered with over 15 airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United, British Airways, and Air Canada to “put systems in place to privately and securely accept” the tracking links for lost luggage. Viewing access to these links will be limited to a “small number of people,” who will need to use their Apple Account or partner email address for authentication, the company said.
Additionally, air transport tech company SITA will also integrate Share Item Location into its baggage-tracking system. Apple plans to incorporate the feature with even more airlines over time.
David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer, said that Find My item locations will initially be accepted in select airports and will eventually be introduced systemwide by early 2025.
Access to each tracking link will be limited to a small number of people, and recipients will be required to authenticate in order to view it through either their Apple Account or partner email address.
As the travel industry roared back after the pandemic, so did claims of missing, delayed, or damaged bags. According to data from SITA, there were 6.9 mishandled bags per 1,000 passengers in 2023. Of the 36.1 million total mishandled bags, 5% were reported as lost or stolen, while the remaining were delayed or damaged.
With horror stories of airlines losing precious items like a loved one’s ashes, some have been able to avoid devastating losses with the help of their AirTags. One woman was able to track down her missing luggage, which contained $2,000 worth of lacrosse gear, by flying across the US to its AirTag location.
Another woman’s luggage, which was worth roughly $10,000 and contained her wedding dress, went missing during the 2022 summer travel frenzy — though her maid of honor was able to retrieve her own missing bag using her AirTag.
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