Google has announced a new feature in its “Find Hub” that it claims gives travellers “peace of mind” thanks to a new way to find lost luggage at airports. Anyone with a luggage tag or other accessory that is compatible with Find Hub can now securely share the item’s location with participating airlines.
The three-step process involves:
- selecting the lost item in the Find Hub and tapping “share item location” to generate a unique, secure URL;
- copying the secure link and pasting it into the airline’s mobile app or website so they can see the item’s location as it updates;
- Stopping the shared location immediately whenever the traveller wishes.
The last stage, Google emphasises in its press release, means that the Find Hub network prioritises user privacy. “You are in control of who can see your item’s location, and device location data is encrypted,” the tech giant says. “In addition to being able to stop sharing at any time, links automatically expire after seven days for added protection. Sharing is also disabled as soon as your phone detects the item is back with you.”
Over 10 major world airlines are on board with the feature so far, including Ajet, Air India, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, China Airlines, Lufthansa, Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. They all “now accept Find Hub locations as part of their baggage recovery process,” Google says, and claims that “more, like Qantas,” are “coming in the near future.”
The development is a collaboration with air travel infotech firm SITA and lost-and-found streamlining experts Reunitus. It integrates WorldTracer and NetTracer baggage-tracing systems. Nicole Hogg, Portfolio Director, Baggage at SITA, said: “Airlines are operating in an environment where passengers expect visibility of their baggage at every step of the journey. When a bag is delayed, uncertainty increases compensation costs, customer service pressure, and reputational risk. What we are seeing is a move from manual tracing to clearer, data-supported recovery.”
Baggage manufacturer Samsonite is also in on the action, embedding Find Hub technology directly into its designs. Some travellers may find this useful, so that they do not even have to remember to put their tag or accessory into or onto their bags. It could, for example, be a timesaver for those with young children’s luggage to take care of. Others may prefer the option to transfer their smart tag from one bag to another, or to attach it to their keys or devices, depending on the type and length of trip they are undertaking.
Apple AirTags offer a similar service with their crowdsourced “Find My” network, with early adopters including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and Qantas. Alongside automation, real-time monitoring, and artificial intelligence, such tech solutions bring significant potential savings to travel industry stakeholders by minimising mishandled luggage liabilities, which some analysts estimate cost around €4.3 billion annually.
