A baggage tag is a tag attached to your luggage by the airline to help identify and handle the baggage during your journey.
Why Is a Baggage Tag Important for Travellers?
When you check in your baggage at the airport, the airline generally attaches a baggage tag to it. The tag contains information that helps identify the baggage and associate it with the passenger’s journey.
Depending on the airline and the tag format, it may include details such as:
- Flight number
- Passenger name or other passenger information
- PNR or booking-related information
- Destination airport
- Date of journey
- A baggage identification or sequence number
- Barcode or other machine-readable information
The baggage tag helps the airline identify and track checked baggage as it moves through the airport and during the flight journey. If baggage is delayed or cannot be located immediately, the information on the baggage tag can help the airline identify and trace it.
Example: The baggage tag shown below is an example of the type of tag attached to checked luggage during the airport check-in process.
Example of a baggage tag attached to checked luggage during air travel.
When Is a Baggage Tag Attached?
For checked baggage, the baggage tag is generally attached after the bag is accepted by the airline at the check-in counter or baggage-drop facility. The baggage may first be weighed according to the applicable baggage allowance before it is handed over for transportation.
For cabin baggage, a separate baggage tag may or may not be provided or required, depending on the airline and its procedures.
Traveller Tip
Keep your baggage tag receipt or detachable portion, if provided, until you have collected your checked baggage at your destination. It may contain information that can be useful if you need to report delayed or missing baggage.
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