Saudia Adopts iPhone's AirTag Luggage Tracking for Enhanced Baggage Security
So, I've been following this new trend of airlines using Apple's Find My network to help passengers keep track of their luggage, and it's pretty cool. Saudia, the Saudi Arabian airline, is the latest to jump on board, which means more folks can breathe a little easier when they check their bags.
If you're not familiar, Apple rolled out a feature with iOS 18.2 that lets you share the location of your AirTag-equipped items – like your suitcase – with others. This is especially handy when your bags are in the hands of an airline. Imagine the peace of mind knowing you can quickly share that location data with the airline staff if your bag goes missing or gets delayed. I remember one time my bag was delayed on a trip, and I spent hours on the phone trying to track it down. Something like this would have saved me a ton of stress!
The way it works is pretty straightforward. If you're running iOS 18.2 or later, you can generate a "Share Item Location" link in the Find My app. You then give this link to the airline. They can see the location of your bag on a live map. Of course, privacy is a big concern, and Apple seems to have thought this through. They claim to have worked with airlines to ensure the access to these links is private and secure. The airline staff has to authenticate, and once you get your bag back, or after 7 days, the sharing automatically stops. It's all about control.
American Airlines was one of the first to adopt this feature earlier this year, and now we're seeing more airlines like Delta, United, Air Canada, and others join in. It makes you wonder how long before this becomes standard practice across the industry. I definitely think it's a step in the right direction. Not only does it empower passengers, but it also incentivizes airlines to be more transparent and accountable with baggage handling.
The fact that this is built into a system that so many people already use on their iPhones is clever. I think this could be a real game-changer for the travel experience, and for reducing the anxiety that comes with airline travel.
Source: Mac Rumors