Alaska Airways Launches Digital Bag Tag Program, First within the U.S.

Alaska Airways hopes to supply all its passengers the chance to skip the road on the baggage examine counter. The airline is now the primary in the USA to launch an digital bag tag program. Alaska might be using software program and {hardware} from a Dutch firm referred to as BAGTAG. A number of main worldwide airways, comparable to Lufthansa, KLM and China Southern, at present use BAGTAG’s digital bag tag know-how. However will it develop into extensively adopted right here within the U.S.?

In response to an Alaska Airways press launch, the provider is sending out 2,500 BAGTAG gadgets to its Mileage Plan members this week to trial the system. Choice was proven to elite-status members who utilized for this system, traveled with the airline prior to now 12 months and checked at the least one bag. The three-by-five-inch gadgets are connected to baggage with an built-in zip tie. Digital bag tags are up to date with flight data throughout check-in by way of the Alaska Airways smartphone app. This implies there isn’t a want to attend at a examine counter or cease at a pc kiosk on the airport. Simply drop off your bag on the designated location with an activated and up to date bag tag.

“The very last thing our company wish to do is stand in line,” mentioned Charu Jain, senior vice-president of merchandising and innovation for Alaska. “With the addition of the Alaska Airways digital bag tag, our company can full nearly all of their check-in duties – from the consolation of their dwelling, at work or on the way in which to catching their flight.”

Alaska estimates that the digital bag tag system will minimize the time that passengers spend in airport lobbies by 40 p.c. The airline additionally claims that the BAGTAG gadgets don’t must be charged or fitted with a substitute battery. Allegedly, Alaska staff examined the gadget’s sturdiness by working it over with a truck.

Alaska Airways’ digital bag tag gadgets might be accessible for buy in 2023 and can work on all Alaska Airways marketed flights operated by Alaska Airways, Horizon Air and SkyWest Airways. The retail value has but to be revealed however is estimated to be round $70 based mostly on the price of the usual BAGTAG gadget. Whereas the comfort provided may be very interesting, I’m a bit skeptical, particularly if Alaska could be the one provider I might use the digital bag tag with. If all the main U.S. airways used the system, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase one as a reasonably frequent flyer.