“The electronic bag tags actually create room for that one-on-one time which reflects our vision around personalized customer service.”

Charu is a proven technology leader who integrated hundreds of systems within her 25+ year career. As Alaska Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Innovation, she’s directly involved with the BAGTAG implementation project

Electronic bag tags allow travelers to check in their baggage remotely, through the airline application. With electronic bag tags, travelers can scan their tag at a self-service kiosk or drop-off point, and then proceed to their gate without waiting in line to check in their bags.

Alaska Airlines, in partnership with BAGTAG, is the first U.S. carrier to introduce electronic bag tags, and they have been well-received by travelers who appreciate the convenience and time-saving aspects of this technology.

Having sent out their first batch of Alaska Airlines BAGTAGs just before the holidays of ’22, it’s time to look back at the implementation process as well as a glance at the future of electronic baggage check-in with Alaska Airlines.

What motivated Alaska Airlines to start digitalizing the baggage labeling process?

Charu: Our goal is to modernize travel at every major city we fly, from reimagining the lobby to testing innovative technology that streamlines the airport experience. We’ve looked at many possible solutions that help us do so and the replacement of the paper labels in combination with the self-drop systems was the next logical step. The electronic bag tag is estimated to reduce the time guests spend in airport lobbies by about 40%.

What do you believe are the main benefits for your guests using BAGTAG?

I think for many guests the first answer would be speed – no one likes to stand in line and the quickest way to the gate is often the preferred way. However, what’s of great importance to us is that by resolving queues and saving time for those guests who like to speed through the lobby, we free up space and time for those who require or want extra assistance. The electronic bag tags actually create room for that one-on-one time which reflects our vision around personalized customer service.

Being the first U.S. airline to launch the concept all eyes are on you – how has this been?

Alaska Airlines always tries to be at the forefront when it comes to guest experience innovation. You’re going to have to take certain leaps if you want to keep up with the needs of your passengers. What really gave us the reassurance we were going in the right direction was the PopSci recognition and of course the positive response of our guests. When we put out the first news we were going to distribute 2.500 BAGTAGs amongst our frequent flyers, the participation list was full in no time.

How is the rollout going so far?

As is the case with introducing any new technology, it can be challenging to get the whole operation instructed from check-in agents to baggage handlers. However, as the tags are fully backward compatible, we didn’t have to make any changes to the actual operations or machinery which made this a fairly smooth process. Together with our service team ready to help with any questions or issues means that so far all has been going to plan. We’re very pleased with the results to date and are looking to the next phases of the project.

What are your future plans regarding electronic bag tags?

It’s definitely something we are looking to further evolve and over the next few months we will continuously learn and adapt from the guests currently flying with Alaska Airlines BAGTAGs out there. This phase really is about optimizing usage for our guests and from that point on we will further expand within operations and make electronic baggage check-in available to everyone. We are very excited about the future and are looking forward to the days when electronic baggage check-in is the new normal.

The post Alaska Airlines’ Charu Jain talks about introducing electronic bag tags appeared first on BAGTAG.

Sometimes you just “gotta to do what you gotta do”, so we headed down to Schiphol, not to catch a flight to our favourite destination, but to see exactly how the infamous baggage bottlenecks at Schiphol Airport develop themselves. And how a pre-checked-in suitcase can contribute to saving time for both passengers and staff.

After all, for years we’ve been telling airlines and passengers that BAGTAG has the solution at hand, ready to implement within operations. Now that those operations are under a greater deal of stress than ever, this is the right time for a real-life run-through to prove it once more. How does BAGTAG hold up in the middle of the check-in chaos?

Stopwatch in hand, we measured check-ins for at least one hour at all of the available check-in options: one-step, two-step and the check-in desk. These are our findings.

Before we go into further detail, it is important to note that we simply chose Schiphol Airport because it is close to our HQ. Schiphol is a great hub and being Dutch, we are proud to call it “ours”. But, at the moment, every airport and airline is experiencing staff shortage as a result of the pandemic, causing baggage & security issues at every hub and station that has a good amount of passengers coming through. This article purely focuses on easy-to-implement solutions that can relieve stress for staff, airlines and passengers.

How chaotic is it?

Pretty chaotic, when we arrived at 12:30 on a Monday, baggage check-in lines were barely fitting the terminals and started almost directly at the entrance. The snake of passengers seemed to have made peace with their faith – unless you somehow managed to miss the news the past months you cannot really be surprised anymore either.

Baggage check-in: the measurements

We measured check-ins for a minimum of one hour per station. See the table for an overview of the average times measured.

At Schiphol Airport there are three different methods to check in baggage:

1. One-step check-in. With this system, passengers place their baggage in a machine and type in their personal & flight information after which the baggage is automatically handled.

2. Two-step check-in. The passengers prints their baggage label with one machine and then drop it off at another.

3. Check-in desk. The manned counters.

One-step check-in: drop-off

At these specific drop-off machines, you scan your boarding pass, then print your label, label your baggage, and place the labelled baggage in the machine, after which – in case the weight is within allowance – you are good to go.

First of all, whereas the self-service check-in area is obviously designed to help lines clear faster by having passengers checking in and labelling themselves, they are running into issues doing so. Even though the labels aren’t that hard to print and stick on, given the current situation it seems that the pressure is a bit all too high to take the time to do it well, and the personnel is busy handling the errors caused by it. Either the passengers need more education on labelling themselves, or, they can sort out the labelling altogether in the calm and comfort of their homes as they label their suitcases through an electronic bag tag. Arriving at the machine ready to simply drop off we can bring down the time for check-in with BAGTAG significantly at this drop-off.

Two-step check-in: print + drop-off

These smaller check-in machines are meant to check in passengers and provide them with a label before they head to the dropoff area.

The separated print & drop-off caused more issues with an error rate of 64%, from which four passengers gave up completely, without asking/getting any assistance. This area did have the lowest staff-to-machine rate, so there might be something to say for them given the staff shortage issues, but we’ll get to that later on. Especially when looking at this check-in method, it is very easy to see where BAGTAG makes all the difference. Because the labelling procedure and the drop-off procedure are separated, we can take the printing/labelling time as time saved when using BAGTAG: this is exactly the part that we take off-airport and into the hands of the passengers. Saving 2.57 minutes per check-in.

Check-in desk

The manned counters see an average of 03:37 minutes per check-in. Whereas that is faster than the two-step check-in, it also occupies the most employees. There is 1 person for each of the 5 desks, and 3 people walking around the area to guide the check-in lines.

The first steps of introducing BAGTAG will not magically make the lines go away, but it will certainly instantly help improve the use of the infrastructure there already is. This will of course vary per airport to what extent, but for example at Frankfurt airport where there is a dedicated drop-off for pre- tagged baggage, we can bring down the time to check-in with BAGTAG to under 20 seconds.

Start saving on check-in

By having passengers check in their baggage in the comfort of their hotel, home or anywhere they like, we take the entire process of baggage check-in out of the hands of the ground staff, and into the hands of the passengers.

Think about that 64% error rate, or that 47% assistance needed – these can be brought down to nearly zero, for the part of baggage labelling. The risk that is left is that a passenger mislabels the electronic bag tag when they are off-airport, which would be possible if they move their phone during an update. However, the application is designed so that relabelling can be done easily, and passengers can resolve the error themselves instead of needing assistance.

Implementing electronic bag tags into any operation is a matter of connecting to the BAGTAG software, and airlines can start saving precious minutes on check-in right away, relieving both ground personnel and travellers.

Staff shortage

The biggest problem airports are currently facing is staff shortage. The many layoffs during and the sudden surge in travel after the pandemic took their toll and are causing serious bottlenecks in the passenger journey.

Looking at the staff per desk ratios you might think there is less impact we can make right away for the manned counters. Even though an already checked-in suitcase will help save some time there, it is not significantly reducing pressure on the check-in staff in terms of staff/desk ratio..

right? The two-step, however, shows us how much there is to improve with the right infrastructure and how employees that are now with the printers, can be allocated to other areas such as the check-in desks.

The post This is what we learned from the check-in lines at Schiphol Airport appeared first on BAGTAG.

Andrew has close to 30 years’ experience in aviation, including 15 years with IATA. He is very well known for his work in the baggage sphere having previously served as IATA’s Head of Global Baggage Operations and his leading efforts within baggage innovation.

Mail went paperless decades ago. Magazines and newspapers followed. Business processes are often digital, and the barcoded boarding pass is an essential component of every boarding transaction. So, why do I have to print and attach a baggage tag to my bag each time I travel?

The humble baggage tag has done a lot for aviation. Countless billions of bags have been moved from their origin to destination based on the information it shows. It is a well-designed classic, so much so that it adorns t-shirts and cushions as an icon.

All things change though, and one of the changes that have quietly been deployed for several years is the electronic baggage tag. To make a quick recap, see the box for the different types of baggage tag and their uses:

To print or not to print

The fact is that any modern traveller doesn’t have to print a baggage tag anymore. It is now possible to use an electronic baggage tag. Airlines using the Amadeus Altéa Departure Control System can already quickly switch this functionality on.

An electronic bag tag?

A solid strap attaches the electronic tag to your bag. This can only be removed with a tool that is like a SIM removal tool, so that the tag cannot be easily removed by an unauthorised person. The baggage tag itself looks like a miniature eBook reader, mainly because it features the same bistatic display that can be programmed with data. That data remains displayed even when there is no power to the tag.

Battery-free operations

Concerns with all electronic devices on an aircraft include the risk of fire and the risk of interference. People tend to think that devices can send only very low power signals, but when there could be hundreds in the aircraft hold then the results become less predictable. The same for lithium, many tiny amounts can compound problems. There are strict limits on the use of lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries in aviation as a result. So imagine how great it is that a baggage tag doesn’t use a battery at all. Not only that, but no battery means no transmission. This is all because the bag tag can use the energy from a mobile phone’s NFC antenna to harvest enough power to change the display. This makes the tag very safe and secure for airline use.

Essentials

Baggage tags have some other information on them that is essential for passing through borders. Baggage tags issued in the EU feature a green stripe to facilitate the free movement of goods. If there are no green stripes, then your journey started outside the EU and customs may be interested in your bag. If there are green stripes, then they will only stop and search if they have other concerns about your journey. The electronic baggage tag is no different, if your journey starts in the EU then there will be a green stripe, and when your journey starts elsewhere there won’t be a green stripe. Better yet, this is done automatically. Writing of customs, it is perhaps necessary to mention that some bad actors buy printers and paper in order to print and swap baggage tags. This facilitates smuggling and other activities that are bad for our society. The electronic baggage tag is much more secure and has layers of security to prevent misuse.

Readability & identification

Baggage damage happens, so what happens if the tag gets knocked about on the journey and the screen is damaged? Well, there are two different ways that the tag is protected. The first is that it is very hard to make the screen unreadable. Remember that the screen is bistatic – it needs no power to continue showing the information on it. Even if the display it cracked and damaged, you can still read it. Of course, the displays are highly robust and hard to damage as well. There is also a QR permanently printed on the back of the tag that identifies the tag. Passengers can choose to register their tags with BAGTAG when purchased, allowing the tag (and the bag) to be returned to the passenger. There is also work in progress to

allow a badge to be popped inside your bag that’s a simplified tracer connected to the baggage tag, as the last resort to return a missing bag is often to open in and look for identifying items. This is the reason I always put a copy of my itinerary inside my bag, immediately visible when the bag is opened.

In addition to having options to recover the bag should a tag come off, another advantage is not having to queue at the airport before dropping a bag off. You are arriving ready to travel so no more queuing for check-in, just a quick visit to the bag drop. Then there is accuracy. You are programming your own tag, so you can see that it is correct. Believe it or not, check-in agents sometimes put the wrong tag on a bag – I once had to find a VIP bag that was accidentally tagged to Birmingham rather than Geneva. Some electronic baggage tags let you put your own information on them when they are not being used for travel, so my tags show my name and phone number, in case the bag is mishandled.

Benefits

Airports benefit also, as the passengers are not queuing and can move airside more rapidly. Longer airside dwell time increases the chance of discretionary spend at the airport shops and cafes. Then there is the bagtag screen, which is easier to read for the airport infrastructure than the paper-based tags. Every no-read or recirculation reduces the airport baggage performance, so there are benefits here too.

So, there is an easy-to-use, passenger-friendly, easy-to-implement mechanism that brings benefit to airlines, airports and passengers. All you need to do is switch the functionality on with Amadeus Altéa and you can be deploying electronic baggage tags in a few weeks. As an airline you could have this in place before the summer rush, easing some pressure on the check-in desks and boosting your image in terms of innovation. It’s time to get in touch.

The post Andrew Price on the future of baggage tagging appeared first on BAGTAG.

Passengers wouldn’t know better than to wait in line to check in their baggage with a paper tag, but there now is a better solution brought to them by Lufthansa. With the help of BAGTAG and Publicis Sapient, Lufthansa is the first airline to introduce Electronic Bag Tags (EBTs). Travelers can check their baggage at home so when they get to the airport, they can simply drop their bags and proceed to their gates.

One does not become a pioneer overnight so we asked Lufthansa’s Stefan Kapactsis, Director Digital Travel Services and Christian Dietsch, Product Manager Digital Baggage Service, both highly involved with the project, to share their perspectives.

Why did Lufthansa want to digitalize baggage labeling in the first place?

Kapactsis: This service is yet another step towards our goal: to offer our passengers the best possible digital travel experience at every step of their journey.

Dietsch: Baggage handling is a vital part of the passenger experience and the reason we have optimized the baggage drop customer experience at airports using self bag drop machines in the first place.

Electronic bag tags were the next logical chapter. We strive for travel experiences where the passenger can avoid inefficient waiting lines and thus can enjoy their time at airport and flight experience even
more.

“This service is yet another step towards our goal: to offer our passengers the best possible digital travel experience along every step of their journey.”

Stefan Kapactsis, Director Digital Travel Services Lufthansa

It’s interesting you mention the drop-off points – are EBTs only useful to passengers when you have designated areas at the airport?

Dietsch: The best travel experience is to show up ready to fly at the airport, already checked-in, with your boarding pass on your phone and an electronic bag tag already attached to your baggage.

The clear tendency is to equip more and more airports worldwide with fast bag drop machines. Designated drop only lanes offer the biggest advantage for customers with already tagged bags, but electronic bag tags are of course not restricted to those.

What was the biggest challenge to implementing electronic bag tags?

Kapactsis: I think you’re always wondering if you’re taking the right road. There are so many new developments and technologies these days and there are always more ways to Rome. Implementing electronic bag tags was always a great fit into our digital service strategy. It seemed like a substantial project but the process has turned out to be easy-going and very low maintenance in
resources, mainly thanks to BAGTAG. We just ran the last update and it really works flawlessly.

Dietsch: Indeed, the decision process was quite extensive and we went through many test phases before moving towards this new way of baggage check-in. But now it is great to see how the concept of electronic bag tag evolves and we look forward to seeing our passengers fly with them.

The post How Lufthansa became the first airline to introduce electronic bag tags appeared first on BAGTAG.

During 2021 Amadeus started its partnership with BAGTAG, making electronic bag tags an easily attainable solution for all of Amadeus’ airline customers. Thanks to the partnership between Amadeus and BAGTAG, any Amadeus airline can now start servicing electronic bag tags in a matter of weeks.

The transition for airlines from paper luggage labels to electronic tags seems like a complex step and the how and why behind this cooperation gives useful insights into the product itself, and how the partnership complements the Amadeus solutions portfolio.

We asked Karin Dodson, Head of Amadeus Partner Network, and David Wakeling, BAGTAG Partner Manager, both closely involved with the project, to share their perspectives.

Why did Amadeus decide to include electronic bag tags in their portfolio?

Karin: We don’t only look for the next best technological developments for our airline customers, but any solution or product we provide needs to be truly future-proof. When the pandemic started, we had a lot of airlines asking us about innovative solutions that could help them navigate through the pandemic, and electronic bag tags are a solution that can make a high impact.

Even before COVID-19, touchless travel was in high demand; waiting in line to check-in baggage is no one’s idea of a good time. But due to recent events, touchless travel has become even more relevant, going from a luxury to an essential service for many that are looking to fly now.

David: Exactly, BAGTAG’s electronic bag tags are a permanent solution that passengers can use again and again. They give passengers full, easy-to-handle, and paperless control over their baggage check-in process, replacing traditional paper luggage tags. There is no longer a need to obtain a luggage tag at the airport, so passengers can check in anywhere, anytime, taking the entire process off-airport and saving passengers’ valuable time.

“BAGTAG is fully integrated with Altéa, meaning that accessing the BAGTAG Software connection is a matter of a simple configuration and can be done quickly.“

– Karin Dodson, Head of Amadeus Partner Network

Why did BAGTAG seem like the right decision for an EBT provider for your airline customers?

David: BAGTAG ensures full interoperability across all connected airlines so passengers can rely on a consistent and straightforward user experience. It is the only company offering a multi-supplier approach, with the ability to connect EBT hardware from any other manufacturer to provide more flexibility to airlines and their passengers.

Karin: Indeed, this was very important to us as we want our airline customers not just to have a solution for today, but one that is ready for any changes during the upcoming decades and is as flexible as the industry needs to be at the moment.

How does Amadeus support airlines with the electronic bag tag solution then?

Karin: Given our extensive portfolio of solutions, it is important for us that we keep things straightforward for our airline customers. BAGTAG is fully integrated with Altéa, meaning that accessing the BAGTAG Software connection is a rapid and straightforward process and can be done quickly

The onboarding process for BAGTAG existed of high-quality integration development and went through many test phases before moving towards offering this new way of baggage check-in for Altéa users, so we are very confident about the solution. We see a bright future ahead for electronic bag tags, and we look forward to seeing our airline customers’ passengers using them.

The post Why Amadeus integrated BAGTAG’s electronic bag tag solution appeared first on BAGTAG.

Pioneer in baggage technology BAGTAG has launched its first hardware solution in 2018 with the Lufthansa Group and is now leading the market for Electronic Bag Tags.

After the success of the BAGTAG Fix, the company now launches a new hardware product in the form of the BAGTAG Flex. This next-gen Electronic Bag Tag is completely batteryless due to NFC technology and the flexible wrap tie system allows the BAGTAG to be flexibly interchanged between luggage.

Less stress, more safety

The batteryless BAGTAG Flex connects seamlessly with any iOS and Android smartphone in order to create the e-paper ticket directly via the airline or the BAGTAG application. The digital baggage label is then touchless and safely updated using near field communication technology.

The entire check-in process can be shortened in a time-saving manner and completed from home, hotel or anywhere the passenger likes. BAGTAG thus avoids unnecessary waiting times as well as points of contact with other travelers at the airport and check-in counter for more health safety.

For airline operations, this translates to fewer check-in desks and staff needed, optimised passenger flow and significant time savings in the passenger journey.

Passengers are pleased to take control over their own journey and seeing baggage handling digitalised. Reducing the need for paper, introducing BAGTAG also has environmental benefits. Moreover, due to the better readability of the electronic labels vs. paper labels, the BAGTAG airline partners see less lost luggage.

BAGTAG Flex for airlines

The BAGTAG Flex is also available for airline partners. It’s designed to be the most cost-effective product available today, resulting in highly competitive industry pricing to resellers and airlines.

The new hardware is also fully customisable in colour and branding, and the first airline-branded BAGTAG Flex will be introduced before the end of 2021.

The post BAGTAG introduces the world’s first batteryless and flexible Electronic Bag Tag appeared first on BAGTAG.

He has spent a year in Paris and in Milan to further extend his professional business network. For BAGTAG, Hidde helps to enlarge our corporate footprint by setting up business with aviation partners all over the world.

With a stewardess as a mom and a KLM-captain as an uncle, Hidde is set to become the new aviation innovator of the family.

After work, you can find him on the golf course – would you ever want to play a round in the Netherlands, he’s your man. Once vacation mode is on, you’ll see him surfing the waves of Tahiti.

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