Overview: These airlines use AirTags for baggage tracking
Apple has managed to get numerous airlines on board who are allowed to access data from the trackers in the case of "Lost Baggage".
AirTag on suitcase: Useful for lost luggage.
(Image: Apple)
A total of 30 airlines now support the option to search for lost luggage via Apple's "Where is?" network. This week, the Saudi flag carrier Saudia Airlines was added to the list, as reported by local media. This is part of the airline's "ongoing commitment to digital transformation", according to Chief Technology Officer Abdulgader Attiah. The aim is to strengthen the passenger experience with "state-of-the-art technology and innovative solutions".
First users, then airlines too
The "Where is?" function actually helps people to gain more insight into their baggage situation when traveling. If there is a tracker (it can be an AirTag, but also a compatible "Where is?" device, of which there are now many) in the checked baggage, it is always possible to determine whether the suitcases have actually arrived or are still at the departure airport. With the so-called precision search, as soon as the object is in the vicinity, it is even possible to determine whether the suitcase will soon roll off the conveyor belt. Although tracking is not always perfect, because Apple devices need to be in the vicinity of other people in order to pass on their position (with the exception of precision search in the near field), these are known to be widespread. According to Apple, it has now sold three billion iPhones.
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The extension of "Where is?" to airlines, which was rolled out last year, now connects both worlds: The airlines' systems for locating lost luggage and the data from AirTag and co. provided by users. Apple has implemented a release in iOS and via a web portal that allows individual trackers to be used for such searches. User data remains protected. The information can be shared via the "Where is?" application; the minimum requirements are iOS or iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2. A link can then be shared that automatically updates the location information.
The airlines that support "Where is?" for baggage
The list of airlines that currently support "Where is?" is getting longer and longer. Here is a current overview:
- AJet
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- Air France
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- American Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Breeze Airways
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- China Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Eurowings
- Finnair
- Iberia
- JetBlue
- KLM
- Lufthansa
- Porter Airlines
- Qantas
- Saudia
- Singapore Airlines
- SunExpress
- SWISS
- Turkish Airlines
- United
- Virgin Atlantic
- Vueling
In the event of lost baggage, you should state that you are a "Where is?" user when reporting this to the airline. Tracking will be stopped automatically as soon as you have your baggage back.
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