Alaska Airlines has announced it will become the first US airline to launch an electronic bag tag programme to improve check-in times at US airports.
The US airline is partnering with Dutch company BAGTAG to eliminate the need for printing traditional baggage tags at the airport. Instead, travellers will be able to activate the electronic tags from any location up to 24 hours before their flight.
Charu Jain, senior vice president of merchandising and innovation at Alaska Airlines said:This technology allows our guests to tag their own bags in just seconds and makes the entire check-in process almost all off-airport.
The tags can be activated through the Alaska Airlines app by simply touching the phone used for check-in to the electronic tag, which is fitted with an antenna to read the relevant information from the app. The e-paper bag tag’s screen will then display the passenger’s flight information.
Alaska Airlines anticipates that this system will reduce the time spent dropping-off checked luggage by nearly 40 percent.
The programme will initially be piloted at San Jose International Airport, following Alaska Airlines’s launch of a new self-bag drop system in March 2022.
BAGTAG Managing Director Jasper Quak said:We are very proud to announce the first American carrier adopting our EBT solutions. Alaska Airlines’ relentless efforts to make their passenger journey a true 21st century experience makes us very confident in a successful rollout among their guests.
The technology will be rolled out in several phases, starting with 2,500 Alaska Airlines’s frequent fliers who will begin using the electronic bag tags in late 2022.
