Air India has rolled out a new digital capability that allows passengers to share the real-time location of their misplaced checked-in baggage using Apple’s AirTag feature. With this, Air India becomes the first airline in Asia to integrate Apple’s AirTag tracking functionality into its baggage support systems.

The move is part of the airline’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. By leveraging Apple’s AirTag and the 'Find My' app, passengers can now actively assist in the tracing of their lost luggage, which can significantly speed up the recovery process in cases of delays or mishandling.

“As we transform into a world-class global airline, we are excited to offer our guests an innovative option to help locate their baggage in case it does not arrive at the destination on schedule,” said Dr Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Air India.

Air India handles over 100 million pieces of baggage annually, with more than 99.6% of them arriving on time. For the small percentage that are delayed—typically due to airport system errors or flight misconnections—this new functionality offers a simple yet powerful way for customers to support recovery.

Here’s how it works: passengers whose bags are missing can report the issue at the airport’s baggage counter, where a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) is filed. Using the 'Find My' app on their Apple device, they generate a Share Item Location link, which can then be uploaded via Air India’s website or mobile app along with the PIR number. The airline’s authorised teams at airports can then access this information to track the bag within airport premises.

Location sharing ends once the baggage is recovered or after seven days—whichever comes first. Passengers also retain complete control over their data and can choose to stop sharing the location at any time.

With this integration, Air India sets a new benchmark for digital adoption in the aviation sector, especially in the domain of passenger service and baggage handling.