You can track your lost luggage with an AirTag through United, other airlines

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The new Apple feature, which was released as part of iOS 18.2, lets users share the location of an AirTag or another Find My-enabled accessory with airlines. (Credit: United)

Finding lost luggage might be a little easier in the future when flying with United or several other airlines. 

Apple unveiled a new "Share Item Location" feature for AirTag under iOS 18.2 to help share the location of lost items with third parties – such as airlines. United recently announced that it has integrated the new feature into its mobile app. 

United already offers its customers the ability to track their bags in the carrier’s app, but travelers with an AirTag will now be able to generate a link in the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac for an AirTag – and share that with United’s customer service to help find the misplaced bag more quickly. 

Apple said in November that more than 15 airlines globally would begin accepting Find My item locations "in the coming months." This includes Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic, and Vueling.

The Points Guy reported that Air Canada is also already integrating the technology for customers. 

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Apple AirTag in lost luggage: How it works

(Credit: United)

• If a bag doesn't arrive to its final destination, customers can file a delayed baggage report in the United app, and those who travel with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can now also create a "Share Item "link in the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and add that to the delayed baggage report in the United app.
• Once the report is submitted, an authorized United customer service agent will receive the Share Item Location link and be able to view the location of the lost bag on an interactive map. United said the map will automatically update when a new location is available and show a timestamp of the most recent update.
• United will use the shared location "to more quickly find delayed bags and reunite them with customers," the carrier said.
• For privacy and security, United said the shared location will be disabled as soon as a customer is reunited with their bag. It can also be stopped by the customer at any time, and will automatically expire after seven days.