American Airlines Integrates AirTag Tracking for Luggage
American Airlines has officially embraced a new iPhone functionality that facilitates the sharing of locations for luggage equipped with AirTags at airports, as highlighted by View from the Wing.
Enhanced Location Sharing with iOS 18.2
The latest version of Apple’s operating system, iOS 18.2, introduces a refined capability within the Find My app, allowing users to momentarily share the location of their items fitted with AirTags. This feature notably includes support for professionals working in airtag-with-friends-and-family/” title=”Unlocking Hands-Free Tracking: A Guide to Sharing Your AirTag with Friends and Family!”>participating airlines, enhancing their ability to assist travelers in locating lost or delayed baggage.
Adoption by American Airlines and Others
This week marked American Airlines’ rollout of this innovative feature, confirmed by their spokesperson. Other major carriers including Delta, United, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa have previously implemented similar capabilities.
A Statement from American Airlines
A representative from American Airlines elaborated: “We are pleased to offer our passengers a simple and secure way to share their AirTag or Find My network accessory’s location directly with us.”
The Process Explained
Travelers can generate a link through Apple’s Share Item option available on iOS 18.2 or later versions in circumstances where their baggage experiences delays during flights originating from or arriving at U.S. airports. The claims process is initiated by scanning a QR code at the baggage assistance desk and entering relevant personal information.
User-Friendly Elements of Sharing Locations
Users on devices running iOS 18.2 or above—including iPads using iPadOS 18.2 and Mac computers operating on macOS Sequoia 15.2—can create a “Share Item Location” link via the Find My app easily. Recipients will gain access to an online dashboard displaying the item’s location on an interactive map that updates automatically based on real-time data.
Auto Expiry Feature Enhancements
The shared item’s tracking ceases when it is returned to its owner; otherwise, it automatically terminates after one week.
A Look Back: Release Timeline and Future Prospects
The launch of iOS 18.2 occurred in December last year; Apple has announced plans for additional airlines to adopt this useful functionality in upcoming months.