Misplacing luggage is a significant headache for modern travelers, with the frequency of misplaced bags increasing since the onset of the pandemic. Many passengers have taken proactive measures by incorporating tracking devices into their checked luggage to monitor their whereabouts. However, there's a significant obstacle: airlines often show reluctance to engage with this information. In 2023, mountain biker Barry Sherry's bicycle went missing while being transported by American Airlines and British Airways to the Swiss Alps. Despite presenting airport staff in Zurich with the precise location of his bike, they were powerless to intervene. Fortunately, for future travelers like Sherry, a more streamlined recovery process may be on the horizon. Apple AirTag users might soon be able to grant third-party access to their tracking data, enabling real-time bag searches by airports and airlines. Reports from beta testers of Apple's latest iOS operating system suggest the introduction of a new third-party sharing feature, which is expected to be widely implemented in the future. Apple has not yet provided confirmation or commented on this development.

For those eager to retrieve their misplaced luggage, swift action will be crucial, as the tracking data sharing option is currently available for only a week. The enhanced Find My app now includes the capability to "share item location," generating a link that can be sent to a third party, irrespective of whether they use an Apple device or not. This feature allows airport personnel and airline call center staff to view the real-time location of the luggage from their computer networks. Additionally, the new Show Contact Info feature enables a "lost" item to connect with any phone or tablet and share its owner's contact details. The link will automatically expire once the owner has regained possession of their device.

It is anticipated that other brands will follow Apple's lead. Consequently, even if you don't own an Apple device, it may not be long before your Tile, Eufy, or Knog Scout can perform similar functions. Whether this will improve the airlines' success rate in reuniting passengers with their bags remains to be seen. In 2023, airlines reported an average of 6.9 lost bags per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA, a provider of aviation industry solutions. This figure represents an improvement over 2022, which saw a staggering 7.6 bags lost per 1,000 passengers, but it is still higher than the pre-pandemic numbers. In 2019, the figure was 5.6 lost bags per 1,000 flyers.

The issue of lost luggage has become a pervasive challenge in the contemporary era of travel. The pandemic has exacerbated the situation, with an increasing number of bags going astray. In response, many travelers have adopted a proactive approach by equipping their checked luggage with tracking devices to keep tabs on their location. However, a significant hurdle remains: airlines often demonstrate a reluctance to utilize this tracking information. A case in point is the 2023 incident where mountain biker Barry Sherry's bicycle disappeared while being shipped by American Airlines and British Airways to the Swiss Alps. Despite Sherry providing Zurich airport staff with the exact coordinates of his bike, they were unable to take any action.

Looking ahead, travelers like Sherry may find the process of recovering lost items to be more efficient. Apple AirTag users could soon have the option to grant third-party access to their tracking data, allowing for real-time tracking of luggage by airports and airlines. This new third-party sharing feature has been spotted in beta versions of Apple's forthcoming iOS operating system, indicating that it is likely to be rolled out more broadly in the future. However, Apple has not yet responded to requests for confirmation or comment on this feature.

For those seeking to reclaim their lost luggage, the need for haste is paramount, as the tracking data sharing option is currently time-limited to a week. The upgraded Find My app now offers the "share item location" capability, which generates a link that can be shared with a third party, even if they do not use an Apple device. This enables airport staff and airline call center personnel to monitor the real-time location of the luggage from their computer networks. Additionally, the new Show Contact Info feature allows a "lost" item to connect with any phone or tablet and share its owner's information. Once the owner has been reunited with their device, the link will automatically expire.

It is expected that other brands will emulate Apple's approach. Therefore, even if you do not possess an Apple device, it may not be long before your Tile, Eufy, or Knog Scout can offer similar functionalities. Whether this development will enhance the airlines' ability to reunite passengers with their bags is yet to be determined. In 2023, airlines reported an average of 6.9 lost bags per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA, a provider of solutions for the aviation industry. This figure marks an improvement over the 2022 figure of 7.6 lost bags per 1,000 passengers, but it is still higher than the pre-pandemic numbers. In 2019, the figure was 5.6 lost bags per 1,000 flyers.

The prevalence of lost luggage has emerged as a significant issue for travelers in the modern age. The pandemic has only served to worsen the situation, with an increasing number of bags going missing. In response, many travelers have taken it upon themselves to equip their checked luggage with tracking devices to monitor their location. However, a significant obstacle remains: airlines often show a reluctance to engage with this tracking information. A case in point is the 2023 incident where mountain biker Barry Sherry's bicycle disappeared while being shipped by American Airlines and British Airways to the Swiss Alps. Despite Sherry providing Zurich airport staff with the exact coordinates of his bike, they were unable to take any action.

Looking ahead, travelers like Sherry may find the process of recovering lost items to be more efficient. Apple AirTag users could soon have the option to grant third-party access to their tracking data, allowing for real-time tracking of luggage by airports and airlines. This new third-party sharing feature has been spotted in beta versions of Apple's forthcoming iOS operating system, indicating that it is likely to be rolled out more broadly in the future. However, Apple has not yet responded to requests for confirmation or comment on this feature.

For those seeking to reclaim their lost luggage, the need for haste is paramount, as the tracking data sharing option is currently time-limited to a week. The upgraded Find My app now offers the "share item location" capability, which generates a link that can be shared with a third party, even if they do not use an Apple device. This enables airport staff and airline call center personnel to monitor the real-time location of the luggage from their computer networks. Additionally, the new Show Contact Info feature allows a "lost" item to connect with any phone or tablet and share its owner's information. Once the owner has been reunited with their device, the link will automatically expire.

It is expected that other brands will emulate Apple's approach. Therefore, even if you do not possess an Apple device, it may not be long before your Tile, Eufy, or Knog Scout can offer similar functionalities. Whether this development will enhance the airlines' ability to reunite passengers with their bags is yet to be determined. In 2023, airlines reported an average of 6.9 lost bags per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA, a provider of solutions for the aviation industry. This figure marks an improvement over the 2022 figure of 7.6 lost bags per 1,000 passengers, but it is still higher than the pre-pandemic numbers. In 2019, the figure was 5.6 lost bags per 1,000 flyers.