Behind the Carousel: How Technology is Reinventing the Way We Handle Baggage

There’s something oddly mesmerizing about airport life. The hum of jet engines, the echo of rolling suitcases, the soft glow of departure boards—it all feels like an intricate dance of movement and precision.

However, hidden behind this rhythm of global travel lies a world few passengers ever see: A backstage where millions of bags are scanned, sorted, and sent on journeys of their own.

It’s a high-stakes performance that must go perfectly every single time. Yet, when even one bag misses its mark, the entire experience—and a traveler’s trust—can unravel.

As global travel surges, the aviation industry is racing to reinvent one of its most overlooked yet critical components:

Baggage handling.

What was once a manual, muscle-powered process is now transforming into a technologically advanced ecosystem—a blend of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics, and sustainability.

Here’s how airports around the world are modernizing the art and science of moving your luggage, and what it means for the future of travel…

Photo from NerdWallet

The Growing Challenge of Baggage Handling

According to SITA’s “Baggage IT Insights Report 2024,” the industry has made remarkable progress. Global mishandled bag rates have dropped 63% since 2007.

… but even with these improvements, over 10 million bags were still delayed, mislaid, or misdirected last year.

Why?

The reason is that more people are flying than ever before. Each year adds hundreds of millions of new passengers, and with each additional flyer comes another checked bag (or three).

The average passenger now checks about 1.2 bags, and when over 1 billion more people took to the skies last year, it meant 10 million more opportunities for error.

The math is simple: More passengers, more luggage, more complexity.

Staff Shortages: The Hidden Turbulence

While most travelers think delays are caused by weather or aircraft issues, one of the biggest challenges airports face today happens on the ground—LITERALLY.

A shortage of baggage handlers and ground staff is putting pressure on airports worldwide. Many workers left during the COVID-19 pandemic and never returned. Others are deterred by the long hours, physical demands, and modest pay.

As a result, airports are scrambling to attract new talent through better wages, enhanced training, and safer working conditions. Some, like Eindhoven Airport, are investing in lifting aids—robotic assistive devices designed to reduce strain on workers, prevent injuries, and make the job more appealing.

However, it’s not just about people. It’s also about pairing human effort with smarter machines.

When Carry-Ons Take Over

Let’s be honest: Most travelers don’t exactly trust airlines with their bags. Add in high check-in fees and long waits at baggage carousels, it’s no wonder passengers are bringing more carry-ons than ever.

Here’s the catch, though: When every passenger tries to cram an extra bag into the overhead bin, it leads to boarding chaos, delays, and even flight hold-ups as crews play an endless game of “overhead-bin Tetris.”

It’s a symptom of a deeper issue: Passenger confidence.

To fix it, airlines are betting on technology that brings transparency and trust back into the process.

Baggage Biometrics: Giving Your Bag an Identity

Imagine if every bag had its own fingerprint or a way to identify it uniquely, no matter where it travels. That’s the idea behind baggage biometrics.

Using high-resolution cameras, airports can now capture detailed images of every checked bag from multiple angles. These images create a digital “profile” that can identify even the tiniest scratch or dent.

It’s so precise that it can tell the difference between two brand-new bags of the same model and color. The result?

A revolution in tracking, accountability, and recovery!

If your bag ever goes missing, this technology can spot it faster than any tag or barcode could.

Automation and Robotics: The New Ground Crew

Airports are no strangers to automation, but today’s innovations are taking things to a whole new level.

From self-driving baggage carts like British Airways’ Auto-DollyTugs to robotic sorters that transport luggage through massive underground networks, automation is helping airports run faster and smarter.

At Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, trials of autonomous baggage vehicles have already shown how automation can cut turnaround times and reduce human error.

The goal isn’t to replace people; it’s to redefine their roles. By offloading repetitive and strenuous tasks to machines, employees can focus on safety, oversight, and passenger service, making airports both more efficient and more humane.

“Where’s My Bag?”: The Power of Tracking Technology

Few moments are more nerve-wracking than waiting at the baggage carousel and watching everyone else’s luggage arrive… except yours.

To tackle this, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) introduced Resolution 753, which requires airlines to track bags at four key points during their journey. Yet despite this rule, lost luggage remains a headline-maker.

That’s where RFID (radio-frequency identification) and Bluetooth tracking come in. These technologies offer real-time visibility into each bag’s location—from check-in to claim.

Airlines like Lufthansa are integrating these systems directly into their mobile apps, even partnering with brands like BAGTAG and RIMOWA to support digital bag tags.

Meanwhile, some passengers take tracking into their own hands, using personal devices like Apple AirTags for extra peace of mind.

The future?

A world where travelers can follow their suitcase just like they track their Uber!

Artificial Intelligence: Predicting Problems Before They Happen

AI is reshaping almost every industry, and baggage handling is no exception.

By analyzing historical data, AI-powered systems can predict how luggage will flow through an airport and automatically allocate resources to prevent bottlenecks.

Machine learning algorithms also improve security screenings, identifying risks more accurately and speeding up processing times.

In essence, AI gives airports something priceless: The ability to prevent problems before they occur!

Smart Security: Scanning with Speed and Precision

Gone are the days of unpacking your laptop and liquids at security. Thanks to computed tomography (CT) scanning technology, airports can now generate 3D images of bags with remarkable detail, enhancing security while saving passengers time.

Airports across Europe—including Berlin Brandenburg, London City, Milan Linate, and Tallinn—are already implementing these scanners, and U.K. airports are required to adopt them by June 2024.

The result?

Fewer manual checks, faster lines, and happier passengers!

Self-Service and Mobile Apps: Power to the Passenger

Airports are embracing self-service bag drops, allowing travelers to check in their own luggage without staff assistance. These kiosks not only reduce lines but also free up employees for other crucial tasks.

Airlines like Spirit have even integrated biometric verification into their self-service stations at Atlanta Airport, combining convenience with cutting-edge security.

Meanwhile, mobile apps are taking over as passengers’ digital travel companions. Lufthansa’s app, for instance, lets users check baggage status, receive real-time carousel updates, and even file lost luggage claims in a few taps, making the post-flight experience smoother than ever.

Sustainability: Greener Ground Operations

In an age of climate consciousness, sustainability has become a non-negotiable priority. Airports are now:

• Using recyclable materials for baggage tags and packaging
• Installing energy-efficient systems in baggage areas
• Optimizing routing to cut unnecessary power use and emissions

By rethinking the environmental footprint of baggage operations, airports are proving that efficiency and eco-consciousness can coexist.

The Future: Smarter, Safer, and More Sustainable Travel

The evolution of baggage handling isn’t just about technology but also about trust, transparency, and transformation.

What used to be a messy, manual, behind-the-scenes process is now a symbol of progress in the aviation industry.

From biometric tracking to AI-driven logistics and sustainable innovation, airports are creating systems that make travel not only smoother but smarter.

So, the next time your suitcase glides effortlessly onto the carousel—perfectly on time, unscathed, and exactly where it should be—remember:

It’s not luck. It’s the quiet power of technology, precision, and human ingenuity working in perfect sync.