United Airlines passengers now have a more effective way to locate misplaced luggage, thanks to a new feature integrating Apple AirTags. Announced on Thursday, the tool allows travelers to share their AirTag or Find My network accessory’s location directly with United’s customer service team in case of lost baggage.
Named Share Item Location, this innovation gives customers enhanced control over tracking their belongings. Available with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS 15.2, the feature is compatible with devices using Apple’s Find My network. “Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer.
To use this feature, passengers must file a delayed baggage report with United if their bags fail to arrive at their destination. They can then share the location link via the United app or text message. Once the link is submitted, United’s customer service team can track the luggage on an interactive map that includes a timestamp of its most recent update.
The shared tracking link expires after seven days, and users can manually stop sharing their bag’s location at any time. Additionally, location sharing automatically deactivates once the luggage is returned to the customer.
This development comes in response to the growing trend of travelers using AirTags and similar tracking devices. Such gadgets gained popularity after the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown, where thousands of passengers and their belongings were stranded over Christmas and into the new year. These devices have become indispensable tools for frequent travelers.
United Airlines claims that over 99% of its customers arrive with their luggage, but for the rare cases of lost bags, this added technology aims to make the recovery process faster and more efficient.
Apple also announced that this feature will expand to other airlines, including Delta Air Lines, as well as international carriers such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Vueling.
