Singapore Airlines is preparing to collaborate with Star Alliance partners Air Canada, Air New Zealand, and United Airlines to assist passengers in locating lost or misplaced baggage using Apple AirTags.
Since their introduction in 2021, the small, keychain-sized AirTags have become essential for many travelers, and an upgraded version, AirTag 2, is anticipated to launch mid-year.
A spokesperson from Singapore Airlines stated that the new technology would enable “customers with an Apple AirTag or Find My app-compatible device in their checked baggage to securely share the location of the tag or device.” This enhancement could facilitate more efficient locating and returning of checked baggage to passengers.
However, the airline has not provided a specific timeline for this feature’s rollout, only mentioning that it plans to offer this option to customers in due course.
An increasing number of airlines are now incorporating the functionality to share AirTag locations within their apps or websites. For instance, Air New Zealand and United Airlines allow travelers to share a live ‘location link’ for their AirTag when reporting a delayed bag, while Air Canada has integrated this capability into its website.
According to Apple, access to each location link by airlines “will be limited to a small number of people,” and recipients must authenticate their identity to view the link via either their Apple Account or partner email address.
Additionally, a “Show Contact Info” feature lets users share their phone number and email address, enabling someone who finds the lost item to reach out directly. On Apple devices, the link opens the Find My app, showing the location of the AirTagged item. For non-Apple devices, the link directs users to a web page with a map indicating the last known location of the missing item.
The shared location feature is disabled once the passenger retrieves their bag, and the link automatically expires after seven days. As stated by United Airlines, “authorised United customer service agents will receive the Share Item Location link and be able to view the location of the item on an interactive map,” which updates automatically with new location data and timestamps.
Other major airlines collaborating with Apple to enhance AirTag luggage tracking include British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
