American Airlines Implements Apple AirTags for Efficient Baggage Tracking

Airline integrates technology to improve lost luggage recovery / Joe Raedle / Getty Images

American Airlines has recently joined other major airlines in utilizing Apple AirTags to enhance its baggage tracking system. This integration aims to address the common issue of lost luggage and provides passengers with an easier way to track their delayed bags. The new feature, which works in conjunction with the airline’s existing systems, leverages Apple's AirTag technology to help passengers and airline staff locate misplaced luggage more efficiently.

The new AirTag-based service is available for passengers on flights arriving in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. By embedding an Apple AirTag inside their checked baggage, passengers now have the option to share their bag’s location with the airline in the event of a delay. This collaboration with Apple brings a much-needed improvement to baggage handling and ensures quicker returns for bags that may have been misplaced during the journey.

To activate this new service, travelers must have iOS 18.2 or a later version installed on their devices. Once a bag is delayed, passengers can use Apple's Share Item feature to generate a link containing the AirTag's location. This link can then be shared with American Airlines for further assistance in locating the luggage. By giving the airline access to this real-time location data, the airline can resolve baggage issues faster and reduce the typical waiting time, which, on average, takes over a day to resolve.

American Airlines follows in the footsteps of its competitors, Delta and United Airlines, both of which integrated Apple’s AirTag technology in late 2024. The integration of this technology by major U.S. carriers came in response to complaints about frequent baggage mishandling, which has been an ongoing issue in the airline industry. In fact, American Airlines and United were among the worst offenders last year when it came to mishandling bags, a situation that often left passengers frustrated by delays in receiving their luggage.

This move by American Airlines is a strategic effort to improve customer service and enhance the overall travel experience. By adopting Apple AirTag technology, airlines can more accurately track luggage, significantly reducing the likelihood of passengers experiencing lengthy delays in receiving their bags. Additionally, the ability to share live location data through AirTags adds an element of transparency, allowing travelers to monitor their luggage’s status throughout the entire process.

The collaboration between American Airlines and Apple represents a major step forward in modernizing baggage management systems. With AirTags becoming a vital tool for travelers and airlines alike, this technology not only improves the process of locating lost bags but also increases customer satisfaction by reducing the time it takes to return mishandled luggage. As more airlines follow suit, the use of AirTags could become the new standard for baggage tracking, offering passengers a more reliable and transparent experience when their luggage goes missing.