British Airways to trial electronic bag tag


British Airways' innovative electronic bag tag
British Airways is to trial an innovative electronic bag tag. Once checked-in customers simply hold their smartphone over the electronic tag, which automatically updates with a unique barcode containing their flight details.

British Airways is to trial an innovative electronic bag tag, which could remove the need for a new paper tag each time a traveller flies. Once checked-in customers simply hold their smartphone over the electronic tag, which automatically updates with a unique barcode containing their flight details and an easy-to-see view of their bag’s destination. The development enhances the passenger experience as passengers save time by having their electronic tag quickly scanned at the bag drop, going straight through security to relax before catching their flight.

Frank van der Post, British Airways’ Managing Director, Brands and Customer Experience, commented: “This is a fantastically simple, yet smart device that gives each customer the choice to have their own personalised electronic baggage tag that changes with the swipe of a smartphone – every time they fly.”

Designworks has provided insights, design and engineering expertise to deliver fully functioning bag tags for the live trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the concept. Lewis Freeman, Designworks lead designer for the project, said: “This step into digital tagging of luggage is a huge leap forward enabling your luggage to become a connected object, providing a seamless experience for frequent travellers with British Airways.”

FTE Global 2013The next major developments in baggage are the focus of the second interactive On the Ground workshop at FTE Global 2013, 15:00 – 17:30, Wednesday 4 September. Michael J Healy, Vice President – Infrastructure & Commercial Development, Halifax International Airport Authority, will lead the session, which focuses on the design and development of devices and the business processes behind new baggage initiatives. He will be joined by presenters from Iberia, IER, United Airlines, Travelpro and Billund Airport, who will give their insights on the latest in cutting-edge baggage technology.

» Registration for FTE Global 2013 is now live

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  1. Emma

    I’d be interested to know what the battery life is like, how you recharge it and how well the bar code is read by the average BHS.

    Pretty cool concept – if it works, it’ll kill off home printed bag tags

    • Trevor

      IATA are developing a standard for multi-use bag tags that incorporate RFID, NFC & e-ink. It seems the BA tag may have this work in mind. Agree with Emma’s concerns about the readibility of the barcode in BHS. I know of other e-ink technology tags that expect battery life around 3 years – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYI4jxnyZwA – they seem to be a throwaway item though.
      In any event, if these tags do work then that adds further impetus to universal RFID.