Good news for passengers with Apple AirTags! They are allowed in checked luggage when flying Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA), the German airline has finally confirmed.
Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) set off confusion after tweets to customers saying that the devices, which can be used to track the whereabouts of luggage, were classified as dangerous and must be deactivated during flight. Because they can’t be turned off, the airline said they were therefore banned.
However, many passengers noted that they were allowed by other airlines, and it quickly developed into a big news story, with conflicting reports emerging over whether such trackers were indeed classed as dangerous or not.
It seems that Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) sought advice from regulators on the trackers issue and it finally clarified the situation in a tweet on October 12, 2022.
“The German Aviation Authorities (Luftfahrtbundesamt) confirmed today, that they share our risk assessment, that tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk,” the airline tweeted. “With that these devices are allowed on Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) flights.”
The German Aviation Authorities (Luftfahrtbundesamt) confirmed today, that they share our risk assessment, that tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk. With that these devices are allowed on Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) flights.
— Lufthansa News (@lufthansaNews) October 12, 2022
Lithium batteries can pose a fire risk and there are strict regulations covering the transportation of batteries and devices containing them, to prevent fires starting in cargo holds, where they are harder to extinguish.
However, baggage tracking devices typically have low battery and low transmission power, and Apple has said its devices are compliant with safety regulations for both carry-on and checked baggage.
Along with allowing passengers to track their luggage, AirTags have also helped to catch criminals. In August, police arrested an airport worker accused of stealing items from passengers’ luggage after an AirTag led them to his residence.