Apple recently found an innovative way to transform the industry of luggage tracking using iOS 18.2. The company introduced a new feature in the Find My app, called ‘Share Item Location’.
The integration of Apple with airlines aims to make it easy to retrieve lost luggage by using data via AirTags and airline tracking.
The new feature will allow users to view where the bag is on a map in real-time. It has a simple setup, passengers attach an AirTag to their luggage and connect it through the Find My app. The partnered airline will then be able to share where the bag is if, it has been delayed or misplaced.
‘Share Item Location’ guarantees users' data privacy since only information that will help in finding the luggage is provided by the user to the airline. All the data is kept with the user and in full control while in the Find My app.
Apple’s senior vice president of Services, Eddy Cue, emphasised the upgrade’s importance, noting:
“Find My is an essential tool for users around the world to keep track of and find their belongings. The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while travelling, providing invaluable location information when bags have been misplaced or mishandled. 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.”
Until now, over 15 airlines have signed up for Apple's initial launch.
The list of major carriers which have signed up is:
Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic, and Vueling.
More airlines will be added later, and with that, baggage tracking will become easier for tens of millions of travellers worldwide. Thus, allowing greater convenience and reducing travel stress.