An AirTag on a plane is officially permitted. Not only keys etc., but also your suitcase can be located with Apple's tracking device.
AirTag on the plane: This is what you need to keep in mind when using it
Since May 16, 2023, airline passengers have officially been allowed to use tracking devices to locate their checked baggage. The Federal Ministry of Transport in Berlin has informed about this regulation.
- Common trackers such as Apple's AirTags, Samsung's SmartTags and similar devices from other manufacturers contain no more than 0.3 grams of lithium and rarely exceed 2.7 watt hours (Wh). They therefore meet the criteria of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
- Strict safety regulations still apply to larger lithium batteries. They may be carried in checked baggage with a lithium content of up to 2 grams. However, they must be completely turned off and not in sleep or standby mode.
- If you are traveling abroad, please ask the airline whether you are allowed to use suitcase trackers.
This is how well tracking works on planes
Using GPS tracking on a smartphone, the exact location of the AirTag can be determined. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) supports an adaptation that allows GPS tracking devices to be carried in the cargo hold of aircraft.
But does the tracking work as planned?
- In general: It doesn't hurt to place the AirTag in your suitcase because it hardly weighs anything and can certainly help you find a lost suitcase. You can also potentially save yourself time and stress when picking up your luggage at the airport, as long as your iPhone has ultra-wideband technology.
- However, keep in mind that the trackers rely on nearby iPhones. With the “Where is?” app, Apple has an exceptionally good tracking system, as practically all iPhones in the area help you search through the pre-installed application. However, if there is none nearby, location is not possible.
- Complete tracking is therefore difficult with AirTags. However, in the event of loss, the tracker can at least be used to determine the last location of your luggage.
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