Apple’s New Solution for Lost Luggage: A Direct Line to Airlines
Apple has introduced a remarkable feature that promises to enhance the travel experience by addressing one of its most frustrating aspects—lost luggage.
This iOS update equips users with the ability to share the location of their AirTag or Find My network with third parties, enabling airlines to assist travelers in locating their missing bags more efficiently.
“The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while traveling, providing invaluable location information when bags have been misplaced or mishandled,” stated Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, in a press release.
He continued, “With Share Item Location, we’re excited to give users a new way to easily share this information directly with third parties like airlines, all while protecting their privacy.”
Effortless Sharing for Peace of Mind
Individuals using iPhones, iPads, or Macs can generate a “Share Item Location” link within the Find My app. This clever link directs recipients to an interactive map that showcases the item’s location, complete with time-stamped updates that reflect the most recent location changes.
Security comes standard; access to the link is restricted, requiring receipts for authentication through an Apple account or a partner email address, ensuring only approved viewers can see it.
Airlines Join the Movement
In an exciting announcement, Apple revealed that over 15 airlines, including United and Delta, will start accepting Find My item locations to facilitate the retrieval of lost luggage in the upcoming months.
“In the coming months, United will begin leveraging Find My item locations as part of our customer service process for locating mishandled or delayed bags,” a spokesperson shared.
David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer, expressed enthusiasm about this new initiative. He commented, “We know many of our customers are already traveling with AirTag in their checked bags, and this feature will soon make it easier for them to share location information with us safely and securely, helping our customer service agents work more efficiently and giving our customers added peace of mind.”
Recent statistics highlight the importance of this innovation: over 2.6 million bags were mishandled by airlines, according to the 2023 Air Travel Consumer Report released by the Department of Transportation.
A Shared Journey Toward Efficiency
Erik Snell, Delta Air Lines’ senior vice president of airport customer service and cargo operations, echoed similar sentiments in the release. He remarked that this new Apple feature will bolster Delta’s ability to locate lost items efficiently.
“While more than 99 percent of checked items make it to their destination as planned, we know how stressful it can be for customers when they don’t. That’s why we’re excited to support Share Item Location beginning later this year,” Snell added.
For travelers, the thought of losing a cherished suitcase filled with treasured items is a source of anxiety. This collaboration between tech and airlines could very well alleviate that worry, providing the comfort of knowing help is just a click away. Apple, with its innovation, and airlines like United and Delta, which are willing to adapt, are embarking on a meaningful mission to enhance customer experiences.
