Alaska Airlines inaugurates first U.S. electronic bag tag programme

Alaska Airlines has become the first U.S. airline to launch an electronic bag tag programme, which enables passengers to tag their luggage through the airline’s mobile app before they even reach the airport.

Alaska Mileage Plan members will begin receiving their electronic bag tag. Those elite status members included in the first wave of the programme are passengers who have travelled in the last 12 months, checked-in at least one bag and were among the first to register to use the device.

“The last thing our guests want to do is stand in line,” said Charu Jain, Senior Vice-President 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.”

The three-by-five-inch devices are updated with a passenger’s flight information through the Alaska Airlines mobile app during check-in; essentially allowing travelers to head straight to the bag drop area once they arrive at the airport.

The Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag is estimated to reduce the time passengers spend in airport lobbies by about 40 per cent, including reducing lines and the use of paper bag tags. In addition to the device’s impressive lifespan and durability (Alaska Airlines employees tested it by running it over with a truck), the devices don’t require charging or batteries.

“We’ve tested our electronic bag tags on countless flights across the country, including international routes where Alaska Airlines flies, and the devices have performed exactly as they’re meant to,” added Jain. “We’ll collect feedback from our first wave of users before the devices become available to purchase to all our guests early next year.”

The Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag will be available for purchase to all passengers starting in 2023 and will operate on all Alaska Airlines marketed flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines.