United Integrates Apple’s Share Item Location Feature for Enhanced Bag Recovery

United Airlines is revolutionising the travel experience by integrating Apple’s new Share Item Location feature for AirTags into its mobile app. Announced on 12 December 2024, this innovation aims to significantly enhance customer service for the few customers whose bags may not arrive on the same flight.

A Step Forward in Bag Recovery

With the release of iOS 18.2, United customers travelling with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can now securely share their accessory location with the airline’s customer service team. This new feature allows for faster and more efficient bag recovery, offering peace of mind to travellers.

David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer, stated, “For years, every customer has been able to track their bag’s journey through the United app as it is scanned on and off the plane. Now, Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice.”

How It Works

• Delayed Bag Report: Customers can file a delayed baggage report in the United app if a bag doesn’t arrive at its final destination.
• Share Item Location Link: Customers with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can create a Share Item Location link in the Find My app and add it to the delayed baggage report in the United app.
• Location Tracking: Authorised United customer service agents receive the link and view the item’s location on an interactive map, which updates automatically with new location data and timestamps.
• Bag Recovery: United uses this shared location to quickly find and reunite delayed bags with their owners.
• Privacy and Security: The shared location is disabled as soon as the customer is reunited with their bag, can be stopped by the customer at any time, and expires automatically after seven days.

This new feature leverages the Find My, a crowdsourced network of over one billion Apple devices, ensuring that the entire process is encrypted and anonymous.

Continued Investment in Customer Experience

United has been at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies to enhance the travel experience. This includes:

• Live Flight Updates: United was the first U.S. airline to support Live Activities for iPhone, providing personalised flight notifications directly on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island.
• Bag Drop Shortcut: Allows travellers to skip the check-in line and drop off bags quickly at designated locations.
• Real-Time Weather Delay Updates: Provides customers with radar maps to understand weather impacts on flights.
• Automatic Rebooking Assistance: Offers alternate travel options directly in the app during flight disruptions.

Conclusion

United’s integration of Apple’s Share Item Location feature is another step towards making travel more seamless and stress-free. With continued investments in infrastructure, training, and technology, United is committed to improving the overall travel experience and ensuring customer satisfaction.

For more information or to experience these new features, download the United mobile app and keep your iPhone updated to iOS 18.2 or later.