| Category: Travel & Services: Air Travel |
Lufthansa has prohibited the use of AirTags to track travelers' luggage. This sets an interesting precedent.
What is an AirTag?
Apple AirTags is a simple way to keep track of your belongings. Just attach them to an item, and then you can track its location through your Apple device. While this probably wasn't the initial intent, these have become super popular for those wanted to follow their checked bags when traveling.
While many airlines provide baggage tracking, it's beneficial to know precisely where your checked luggage is. It's advantageous when your luggage is delayed or goes missing, given how difficult it is to get ahold of airlines can be. There have not been reports of other airlines banning these as yet, until now, as German media reports that European airline giant Lufthansa is prohibiting the use of AirTags in passengers' checked luggage.
Apple's selling point for the AirTag:
Misplacing something like your wallet doesn't have to be a big deal when it has AirTag attached. You can play a sound on the built-in speaker by going to the new Items tab in the Find My app or saying, "Hey Siri, find my wallet." If it's hiding nearby — like under the couch or in the next room — follow the sound, and your search is over.
A previous SimpleFlying article highlighted the benefits of the AirTag.
What is the issue?
Airlines have realized that these tracking devices allow passengers to recognize that their bags have gone missing, potentially before the airline. Such as reports of a traveler requesting to find his bag or be offloaded himself by the simple tracking of an apple AirTag. Such simple requests could affect an airline's on-time performance and create knock-on effects for passengers that may have connecting flights.
IATA's stance
While the International Air Transport Association (IATA) establishes the rules for what can and cannot be taken in checked luggage and publishes these in their 'Dangerous Goods Regulations' manual, AirTags are yet to feature. IATA policy states that 'electronic devices in checked luggage must be completely turned off.' It appears that Lufthansa has taken this advice to justify the prohibition of the AirTag.
European Airports have been losing luggage
It's no wonder travelers are taking luggage tracking into their own hands. Lost luggage had been piling up at Frankfurt Airport as customers faced "disgraceful" queues and last-minute cancelations. Staffing shortages, last-minute airline cancelations, and booming traveler numbers have created a perfect storm at the beleaguered German airport.
Passengers have described the airport as a "complete and utter mess" and "the worst they have ever experienced." Photos taken inside the terminal reveal winding lines of suitcases unclaimed by their owners.
Some passengers have said luggage, which has been sitting in terminals for up to 10 days, is beginning to stink.
Will other airlines follow suit? Only time will tell.
~ Via Simple Flying |
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