Phone-enabled BAGTAG makes Hawaii travel faster.

Here’s the next big thing coming to Hawaii air travel and other international destinations. Alaska is the first US airline to test this new technology that will reduce your airport check-in time. Remember the name: BAGTAG “creates a complete airport baggage check-in ecosystem, but without physical staff or paper baggage tags.”

This next level of travel automation will join the introduction of electronic passenger boarding. When you check in for your Hawaiian flight, your bags will be checked in via your phone. I know it sounds confusing, so read on and let us know your thoughts on this new innovation.

It was announced today that Alaska Airlines will be the first US airline to launch its electronic bag tag program. The devices are durable screens that display bag information and replace paper. It is said that these can withstand heavy abuse and work. They are attached to the bags using “industrial strength plastic zip ties”.

“This technology allows our guests to tag their own bags in seconds and takes the entire check-in process out of the airport,” Alaska said. BAGTAG is expected to cut baggage check-in times in half.

But bags will continue to be X-rayed by the US Department of Agriculture when they leave Hawaii.

Here’s how to use BAGTAG.

It looks like a Kindle screen on your luggage tag. Alaska says, “Activation is done simply by touching the phone used for entry to the electronic wallet tag, which has an antenna that reads and reads data transmitted from the phone. The e-paper bag identification screen displays the guest’s flight information. Alaska’s electronic bag tags display the guest’s flight information. Our electronic bag tag program is expected to reduce the time spent unloading checked baggage by 40 percent.

If some of you have flown to Hawaii (or anywhere else since Alaska Air launched the new overhead bag drop system in March), you’ve seen these. According to Alaska, “Our goal is to modernize travel in each of the major cities we fly to, from reimagining the lobby to testing new technology that streamlines the airline experience.”

Alaska selects San Jose airport for various future developments on “Seamless Travel” Their facility in San Jose includes not only BAGTAG technology, but kiosk-less lobbies, biometric boarding and other innovations. The Mayor of San Jose said, “Alaska Airlines is the first American airline to pioneer this innovative electronic bag tag program here at SJC. This program modernizes the entry process and provides travelers with a more sustainable option. The words sustainable and travel seem to be joined at the hip anymore.

Alaska’s frequent flyer pilot group will issue the tags in 2022. They will be widely available from early 2023.

How much does BAGTAG cost?

It’s unclear how Alaska will charge for the new baggage tags. They are listed on the manufacturer’s website for €66 or $66.

The rollout of the e-wallet identification program will be done in several stages. The first phase includes 2,500 Alaska Airlines frequent flyers who will begin using electronic bag tags in late 2022. Mileage Plan members have the option to purchase the devices early next year.

“We are very proud to be the first US carrier to adopt EBT solutions,” said BAGTAG Managing Director Jasper Kwak. “Alaska Airlines’ relentless efforts to make the passenger journey a truly 21st century experience gives us great confidence in its successful rollout among their guests.”