April 2025 – New Delhi – In a major move toward enhancing passenger convenience and travel security, Air India has integrated support for Apple AirTag, becoming the first Indian airline to officially embrace the technology for real-time baggage tracking. This feature enables travelers to monitor their checked-in luggage using the Find My app on Apple devices, bringing global best practices in smart travel to India’s aviation sector.
The integration allows Air India passengers to place an Apple AirTag inside their checked-in baggage, enabling them to trace the movement of their luggage throughout their journey, including during transfers, layovers, and final delivery.
Apple AirTag Brings Real-Time Tracking to Luggage Handling
Apple AirTags, powered by the Find My network, utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to pinpoint the location of tagged items. These small coin-sized devices can be tracked using Apple’s ecosystem, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Passengers using AirTags on Air India flights will benefit from:
- Live updates on baggage location via the Find My app.
- Push notifications when baggage is nearby.
- Precision Finding, which uses the iPhone’s U1 chip to guide users to their luggage.
- Global support, since Apple’s network is crowd-sourced via hundreds of millions of devices worldwide.
This allows travelers to monitor their bags from the moment they check them in until they pick them up at their destination, minimizing the risk of lost or misplaced luggage.
Rising Demand for Smart Travel Solutions
With the increasing adoption of tech-enhanced travel tools, airlines around the world are exploring ways to improve customer satisfaction through real-time data and transparency. Lost baggage has historically been a pain point for travelers, and this new integration positions Air India to meet international standards in customer service.
Frequent flyers, especially international travelers, have long used AirTags unofficially to monitor luggage. Now, with official support from Air India, the use of AirTags becomes a seamless and airline-approved process, eliminating concerns about compatibility or policy conflicts.
Part of a Broader Modernization Strategy
Air India’s integration of Apple AirTag support is part of the carrier’s broader effort to modernize operations under the Tata Group’s leadership. The airline has been investing heavily in digital transformation, including:
- Fleet upgrades
- New in-flight entertainment systems
- Contactless check-in and boarding
- Personalized digital services for frequent flyers
By adopting technologies that are already widely used and trusted by global travelers, Air India is accelerating its evolution into a world-class carrier.
Privacy and Security Considerations
Apple’s AirTags are designed with user privacy and security in mind. The data transmitted from AirTags is encrypted and anonymized, meaning no personally identifiable information is ever shared. Additionally, if an AirTag not registered to a user is detected moving with them over time, Apple alerts the user for safety.
This ensures that while passengers gain valuable insight into their baggage location, data integrity and user privacy remain uncompromised.
A Growing Global Trend Among Airlines
Globally, several airlines have already begun to accommodate or promote the use of Apple AirTags. Carriers such as Lufthansa, United Airlines, and Delta have embraced the technology, encouraging passengers to use AirTags as a secondary layer of assurance in case of baggage delays or mishandling.
Air India’s move places it in this elite category, making it the first Indian carrier to proactively support and align with these international practices.
How Passengers Can Use AirTag with Air India Flights
Passengers wishing to use an Apple AirTag with their Air India travel can do so by:
- Pairing the AirTag with their iPhone via the Find My app before departure.
- Placing the AirTag securely inside their checked-in bag.
- Tracking the bag’s movement in real time, even when out of Bluetooth range, thanks to Apple’s vast Find My network.
During layovers, transit hubs, or at arrival destinations, passengers can immediately know where their bag is—even before it appears on the conveyor belt.
What This Means for Indian Travelers
This initiative marks a significant upgrade in Indian aviation services, especially for tech-savvy and premium passengers. It enhances the post-pandemic emphasis on self-service, contactless interaction, and passenger control.
As Indian travelers become increasingly reliant on mobile-first experiences, having smart baggage tracking through a familiar platform like Apple enhances trust and satisfaction—factors that are key to airline loyalty and brand preference.