Alaska Airways hopes to supply all its passengers the chance to skip the road on the baggage test counter. The airline is now the primary in america 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, corresponding to Lufthansa, KLM and China Southern, presently use BAGTAG’s digital bag tag expertise. 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 units to its Mileage Plan members this week to trial the system. Desire 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 units are connected to baggage with an built-in zip tie. Digital bag tags are up to date with flight data throughout check-in via the Alaska Airways smartphone app. This implies there isn’t a want to attend at a test 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 need 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 residence, at work or on the way in which to catching their flight.”
Alaska estimates that the digital bag tag system will reduce the time that passengers spend in airport lobbies by 40 %. The airline additionally claims that the BAGTAG units don’t should be charged or fitted with a substitute battery. Allegedly, Alaska staff examined the gadget’s sturdiness by operating it over with a truck.
Alaska Airways’ digital bag tag units might be obtainable for buy in 2023 and can work on all Alaska Airways marketed flights operated by Alaska Airways, Horizon Air and SkyWest Airways. The retail worth 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 supplied could 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 foremost U.S. airways used the system, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase one as a reasonably frequent flyer.