Alaska Airlines has become the first American airline to launch an electronic bag tag programme, enabling guests to tag their luggage through the airline's mobile app even before reaching the airport.
Its small tagging devices are updated with a guest's flight information through the Alaska Airlines mobile app during check-in and is expected to reduce the time guests spend in airport queues by about 40%.
The electronic bag tag will be available for purchase by all guests in 2023 and will operate on all Alaska Airlines-marketed flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines.
In addition to the device's durability – which was tested by Alaska Airlines employees, who ran a truck over it – it does not require charging or batteries.
Around 2 500 Alaska Mileage Plan members who have travelled in the last year and checked in a bag will now begin receiving their electronic bag tag.
"The last thing our guests want to do is stand in line," says Charu Jain, Senior VP of Merchandising and Innovation for Alaska Airlines. “With the addition of the Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag, our guests can complete almost all of their check-in tasks from the comfort of their home, at work, or on the way to catching their flight."
Along with the hardware, the software for the device is provided by BAGTAG, a pioneering Dutch company in the field of baggage technology solutions.
Click here for details of how the electronic bag tag works.
