Air France-KLM set to use smart tags to enable quick luggage drop-offs and suitcase tracking

The French-Dutch airline has announced that is teaming up with FastTrack to offer its eTag and eTrack system to passengers.

Luggage causes all kinds of problems for both travellers and airlines — it can get mislaid by baggage handlers or customers can arrive late to find long queues for check-ins. In the past, we’ve seen the hop! suitcase automatically follow its owners so it never gets lost, but now Air France-KLM has announced that is teaming up with FastTrack to offer its eTag and eTrack system to passengers.

Working with the French-Dutch airline and suitcase manufacturer Samsonite, the company has created a smart tag that can be attached to travelers’ suitcases, alongside a tracker that’s placed inside. The devices use Bluetooth to connect to the passenger’s smartphone. The tag acts a theft-prevention device, notifying owners if their suitcase has been tampered with, as well as holding their check-in details. This means that they can check their luggage in before they arrive at the airport and can simply drop off their baggage at fast-track points. The tracker lets both the customer and the airline monitor the location of the suitcase, and both are immediately notified if it goes astray from its planned route.

The eTag and eTrack system will be trialled among a select group of frequent fliers in December this year. If successful, could we see this kind of scheme making airport experiences less stressful?