Passengers travelling with British Airways through Terminal 5 at London Heathrow have begun to test the personalised digital bag tag being developed by the airline. Employees from Microsoft have been chosen to take part in the month-long trial, using a specially adapted version of the BA app, to provide feedback that will help shape the final product. 
The digital bag tag, which contains all a passenger’s baggage details, could eventually do away with the need for a new paper tag every time you fly. Comprehensive testing of the tag has already taken place to make sure it works in a live airport environment and can stand up to the rigours of airport baggage systems and everyday travel.
Glenn Morgan, BA’s Head of Service Transformation, said: “The customer trials take us another step closer to making the personalised digital bag tag a reality for our customers. We are grateful for Microsoft’s support during the trial, which will help us shape the future of checking in for flights. The digital bag tag is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to developing new technology and holds the promise of making checking in for flights even quicker and smoother.”
Passengers on the trial will use their Nokia Lumia Windows Phone to check in, chose their seat and obtain their mobile boarding pass. Each will be equipped with a specially adapted version of the British Airways app, which automatically updates the digital bag tag with a unique barcode, containing new flight details and an easy-to-see view of their bag’s destination – just by holding the mobile phone over it.
They can then save time by dropping their bag off at a dedicated bag drop desk, before going straight through security, without the need for a new paper tag to be printed and secured.
The digital bag tag has been designed to be used time and time again, with a battery life of up to five years, and will be compatible with all smartphones.
