Alaska Airlines adopts RFID electronic luggage tags

Alaska Airlines is providing 500 frequent fliers with high-tech luggage tags to speed up check-in. The airline is using IFAST Tags from Vanguard ID Systems, equipped with e-paper screens, BLE and passive EPC Gen2 UHF RFID Inlays. In November 2016, the airline plans to evaluate the results of its use and then decide whether to continue promoting the IFAST Tag.

IFAST Tags have been used in the market for more than 10 years, and airlines are using these tags to replace traditional QR codes and paper luggage tags to identify and track passenger luggage. The IFAST Tag is a smart, electronic, reusable luggage tag designed to reduce passenger queues and better locate luggage. In its initial version, the IFAST Tag uses NFC and UHF RFID technology and features an e-paper screen to display the three-letter code of the passenger's destination airport. The version used by Alaska Airlines is equipped with a larger e-paper screen and BLE used to communicate with smartphones. This allows passengers to update flight information (flight number, destination, etc.) using the phone's built-in Bluetooth technology.

(Vanguard ID Systems' IFAST Tag has a built-in passive UHF embedded that can be used to track and identify luggage; the tag is also equipped with an electronic paper screen that displays passenger flight numbers and terminals in the form of text and QR codes)

The latest version of IFAST Tag is also equipped with NFC function, which can be used to update flight information on the e-paper screen.

For the past few years, Vanguard ID has been working with Alaska Airlines’ CX Labs (customer research and development team) to reduce some of the hassles of air travel. Founded in 2013, one of the team's projects has reduced waiting times. The team also tested fingerprint boarding passes and ID tags. Currently, the team is working on a better way to track luggage movements.

Last summer, the airline piloted the IFAST Tag, distributing the tags to 50 employees and 50 passengers. Loesje DeGroen, Alaska Airlines customer research and development manager, said: "So far, employees and passengers are satisfied with the label. Therefore, this summer, we will expand the test to 500 passengers."

The airline also offers a check-in app that can be used by 500 frequent flyers who use the IFAST Tag to check their luggage. The tag measures 3 inches by 2 inches and attaches to luggage via a nylon rope bag. Since the tag is equipped with a Bluetooth module, the tag can communicate with a smartphone (battery life is 3-5 years).

First, passengers log in on the mobile app and follow the prompts to check in. This action can be completed anytime and anywhere. When passengers want to check in their luggage, they can use the app to display the flight number and terminal information on the electronic screen. This way, users can present information to the check-in desk, eliminating the need to print traditional paper luggage tags.

The IFAST Tag has a built-in Impinj Monza 5 RFID chip, and the company will also use other RFID hardware in the future.

Airline staff can also use the tag's UHF RFID function to quickly identify the tag and send baggage location information to customers. If an RFID Reader is installed above the luggage carousel, each luggage tag can be read. In this way, passengers can know more detailed location information.

In addition, if the baggage fails to arrive at the destination airport as expected, passengers can receive a message and be prompted to enter the receiving address. This eliminates the need for passengers to wait in the baggage reception area and report this information.

However, Alaska Airlines still does not offer this feature. They just used the IFAST Tag's registration process expediting feature.