Airlines’ embrace of Apple’s AirTag “Share Item” feature makes luggage tracking a group effort.
Ever experienced that moment of watching your luggage disappear down the conveyor belt with a silent prayer it pops out again at your destination? Apple’s Share Item Location feature to the rescue! And the major airlines agree: they’re adopting this technology that’s revolutionizing how passengers track luggage in transit.
Never Lose Track Again: The Power of Shared AirTags
The beauty of this enhanced functionality lies in its collaborative approach to tracking. Now, up to five people can monitor a single AirTag simultaneously, creating a web of awareness around your luggage.
Imagine this scenario: You and your partner are heading to the same destination but on separate flights. With the updated sharing feature, both of you can keep tabs on your shared luggage, bringing peace of mind even when you’re miles apart in the air.
The benefits extend beyond luggage tracking. Navigating crowded tourist spots or complex transit systems? Share your AirTag location with your travel group to create instant meeting points. No more “I’m by the big statue…no, the OTHER big statue!”
Now, in a significant leap forward in streamlining the often frustrating lost luggage retrieval process, you can share your AirTag location with airlines themselves. Customer service representatives can access your AirTag’s location data directly, potentially cutting hours or even days off the recovery timeline.
Airlines Embracing the Future
The adoption rate among major carriers has been remarkably swift. Currently, these airlines accept location links from Apple’s Find My app:
Aer Lingus
Air Canada
Air New Zealand
American Airlines
Austrian Airlines
British Airways
Brussels Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Eurowings
Iberia
KLM
Lufthansa
Qantas
Scandinavian Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Vueling
How to Share Your AirTag’s Location
Setting up shared tracking is refreshingly straightforward:
-Ensure your iPhone is running iOS 18.2 or higher
-Open the Find My app or iCloud Find My website
-Navigate to the “Items” tab and select your AirTag
-Tap “Share Item Location” and follow the prompts
-Share the generated link with trusted contacts or airline representatives
When trying to chase down missing luggage, simply paste this link into the airline’s customer service app or share it with the ground staff assisting you.
Privacy Concerns? Apple’s Got You Covered
The shared link limits access to a small number of authenticated users who must verify their identity through either an Apple account or email address. The sharing automatically terminates once you’re reunited with your item, though you can manually end sharing at any time. Without intervention, links expire after seven days.
Twist’s Take: I’d never check a bag without an AirTag inside, and airlines’ participation in Apple’s Share Item Location feature makes an already invaluable tracking ability an even more powerful tool for travelers.