Samsung Electronics and Turkish Airlines launched the Smart Tagged Baggage Service on December 1, 2025, enabling passengers to track lost or delayed luggage using Galaxy SmartTag and the SmartThings Find network of 700 million Galaxy devices worldwide. Passengers attach a Galaxy SmartTag to their baggage and can share real-time location tracking links directly with airline officials when bags go missing. Turkish Airlines serves as the launch partner, with Samsung planning to expand the program to additional airlines globally while exploring AI-powered travel innovations beyond baggage management.
Samsung Electronics and Turkish Airlines have solved one of air travel’s most frustrating problems: lost luggage. Their new Smart Tagged Baggage Service, launched December 1, 2025, lets passengers track missing bags in real-time using Galaxy SmartTag and the SmartThings Find network.
What Is the Smart Tagged Baggage Service?
The Smart Tagged Baggage Service transforms how airlines recover misplaced baggage by leveraging Samsung’s existing consumer device ecosystem. When a bag equipped with a Galaxy SmartTag goes missing, passengers can instantly share a secure tracking link with Turkish Airlines officials, who can then pinpoint the bag’s location using the SmartThings Find network.
This addresses a massive industry pain point: airlines globally mishandled 33.4 million bags in 2024, costing the industry approximately $5 billion. Transfer mishandling alone accounts for 41% of lost baggage incidents.
How the Partnership Works
Turkish Airlines serves as Samsung’s launch partner for this initiative, with both companies committing to long-term collaboration on AI-powered customer experience innovations. Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings at Samsung Electronics, stated the partnership aims to help customers “stay connected and at ease wherever they are”.
Kerem Kızıltunç, Chief Information Technologies Officer at Turkish Airlines, emphasized the airline’s commitment to digitalization and setting new aviation industry standards through technology partnerships.
How Galaxy SmartTag Tracks Lost Airline Baggage
Galaxy SmartTag uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to pinpoint item locations. The real power comes from SmartThings Find, a crowdsourced tracking network supported by more than 700 million Galaxy devices worldwide.
When your tagged luggage goes missing, any nearby Samsung Galaxy phone, tablet, smartwatch, or earbuds can anonymously detect the SmartTag’s Bluetooth signal and relay its location back to you even if your own phone is nowhere near the bag.
Technology Behind SmartThings Find
SmartThings Find operates similarly to Apple’s Find My network but exclusively within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. The system works through:
- Bluetooth LE v5.3 with up to 120-meter range for direct detection
- Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for precise positioning when using compatible Galaxy phones
- Crowdsourced network of 700 million active Galaxy devices that anonymously report SmartTag locations
- End-to-end encryption ensuring location data remains private and secure
The Galaxy SmartTag 2 features IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning it survives submersion in up to 1 meter of freshwater for 30 minutes. Battery life extends up to 500 days in normal use, or 700 days in power-saving mode using a replaceable CR2032 battery.
Step-by-Step: Using SmartTag for Airline Travel
Before Your Flight:
- Attach a Galaxy SmartTag 2 to your checked luggage
- Open the SmartThings Find app on your Samsung Galaxy device
- Use the “Change Device Image” feature to upload an actual photo of your suitcase for easy identification
If Your Bag Goes Missing:
- Open SmartThings Find to view your bag’s last known or current location
- Generate a secure tracking link within the app
- Share the link directly with Turkish Airlines baggage officials through your lost baggage report
- Airline staff can then view the bag’s location on a map to expedite recovery
Technical Specifications and Network Coverage
Galaxy SmartTag 2 Hardware Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | BLE v5.3, up to 120m range |
| Ultra-Wideband | Yes (UWB) |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP67 rating |
| Battery Type | Replaceable CR2032 |
| Battery Life | 500 days normal / 700 days power-saving |
| Dimensions | 28.8 x 52.44 x 8.0 mm |
| Key Features | AR Find, Lost Mode, NFC contact sharing |
The 700 Million Device Network Advantage
SmartThings Find’s effectiveness depends on device density. With over 700 million Samsung Galaxy devices participating in the network worldwide, coverage is particularly strong in airports and urban areas where Galaxy device concentration is highest.
This massive network means your SmartTag can be located even in remote baggage handling areas or when accidentally routed to the wrong destination as long as at least one Galaxy device comes within Bluetooth range.
Why This Matters for Air Travel
The $5 Billion Baggage Problem
Airline baggage mishandling costs the aviation industry an estimated $5 billion annually. While the global mishandling rate improved to approximately 12.3 bags per 1,000 passengers in European airports during 2024, millions of travelers still experience baggage delays and losses.
Transfer connections account for 41% of mishandling incidents, creating particular frustration for passengers connecting through multiple airports. Though 66% of mishandled bags are resolved within 48 hours, the stress and inconvenience affect passenger satisfaction and airline reputations.
Real-World Benefits for Passengers and Airlines
For travelers, the Smart Tagged Baggage Service provides tangible peace of mind through:
- Instant visibility into bag location rather than waiting for airline updates
- Faster recovery times when airline staff can pinpoint exact bag locations
- Photo identification helping airline staff locate the correct bag among thousands
- Reduced anxiety knowing you can track your belongings throughout your journey
Airlines benefit through reduced recovery costs, faster resolution times, and improved customer satisfaction scores. Turkish Airlines can now differentiate itself competitively by offering technology-enabled baggage tracking as a standard service feature.
How to Set Up Galaxy SmartTag for Your Next Flight
Compatible Devices and Requirements
Galaxy SmartTag 2 requires a Samsung Galaxy smartphone running Android 9.0 or higher. Unlike Apple AirTags, SmartTags do not work with Google’s Find My Device network they operate exclusively within Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem.
Compatible Samsung devices include:
- Galaxy S-series smartphones (S10 and newer recommended)
- Galaxy Note series
- Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones
- Galaxy tablets
- Other Galaxy devices with SmartThings Find app support
For full UWB precision tracking capabilities, you’ll need a Samsung Galaxy phone with UWB hardware, such as Galaxy S21+ and newer flagship models.
Sharing Location Data with Airlines
When filing a lost baggage claim with Turkish Airlines, passengers include their SmartThings Find tracking link directly in the report. This gives authorized airline personnel secure, temporary access to view the bag’s location without compromising your privacy or requiring them to download specialized apps.
The airline’s baggage recovery team can then prioritize retrieval based on real-time location data rather than manual searching through baggage handling areas.
Galaxy SmartTag vs. Apple AirTag for Airline Travel
| Feature | Galaxy SmartTag 2 | Apple AirTag |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30 | $29 |
| Network Size | 700 million Galaxy devices | 1+ billion Apple devices |
| Battery Life | 500-700 days | 1+ year |
| Water Resistance | IP67 rated | IP67 rated |
| UWB Support | Yes | Yes |
| Keyring Hole | Built-in | Requires accessory |
| Ecosystem | Samsung Galaxy only | Apple devices only |
| Airline Integration | Turkish Airlines (expanding) | Several airlines accept AirTags |
Both trackers perform similarly in real-world conditions, with Samsung’s built-in keyring hole offering slight practical advantages for luggage attachment. The primary decision factor remains which smartphone ecosystem you already use.
What’s Next: Samsung’s Airline Expansion Plans
Samsung explicitly stated plans to expand the Smart Tagged Baggage Service partnership model to additional airlines globally. Turkish Airlines, as the launch partner, also intends to extend SmartThings Find integration beyond baggage management to other customer-facing services that benefit from location tracking.
Future collaboration phases may incorporate AI-powered devices and software solutions to further enhance the travel experience. This could include automated baggage notifications, predictive delay alerts, or integration with airport wayfinding systems.
The timing aligns with the aviation industry’s adoption of Modern Baggage Messaging (MBM) Version 2 standards in 2025, designed to reduce mishandling by an additional 5% through improved data quality.
Pros and Cons of Smart Tagged Baggage Service
Pros:
- Real-time baggage location tracking through 700 million device network
- Direct sharing of location data with airline staff expedites recovery
- Excellent battery life (up to 700 days) reduces maintenance
- IP67 water/dust resistance protects tracker during travel
- Built-in keyring hole simplifies luggage attachment
- Photo registration feature aids visual identification
Cons:
- Requires Samsung Galaxy smartphone (Android 9.0+) to function
- Limited to Samsung ecosystem, unlike some cross-platform alternatives
- Currently only integrated with Turkish Airlines officially
- Effectiveness depends on Galaxy device density in remote areas
- Additional $30 hardware purchase required per bag tracked
Galaxy SmartTag 2 Specifications vs. Competition
| Feature | Galaxy SmartTag 2 | Apple AirTag | Tile Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network | 700M Galaxy devices | 1B+ Apple devices | Tile user base |
| Bluetooth Range | 120 meters | ~10-30 meters | 120 meters |
| UWB Support | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 500-700 days | 1+ year | 1 year |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Replaceable Battery | Yes (CR2032) | Yes (CR2032) | Yes |
| Price | $30 | $29 | $35 |
| Airline Integration | Turkish Airlines | Accepted by many | Limited |
| Ecosystem | Samsung only | Apple only | Cross-platform |
Galaxy SmartTag 2 Complete Specifications
Connectivity:
- Bluetooth: BLE v5.3
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB): Supported
- Maximum Bluetooth Range: Up to 120 meters
- NFC: Yes (for Lost Mode contact sharing)
Physical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 28.8 x 52.44 x 8.0 mm
- Weight: Approximately 13.5 grams
- Design: Ring-shaped with integrated keyring hole
- Durability: IP67 water and dust resistance
Power:
- Battery Type: Replaceable CR2032 (single unit)
- Battery Life: Up to 500 days (normal mode)
- Extended Battery Life: Up to 700 days (power-saving mode)
Compatibility:
- Minimum OS: Android 9.0 or higher
- Device Requirement: Samsung Galaxy smartphone mandatory
- SmartThings Find App: Required for setup and tracking
- UWB Devices: Galaxy S21+ and newer for precision AR tracking
Network:
- SmartThings Find Network: 700+ million Galaxy devices globally
- Tracking Method: Crowdsourced, anonymous location reporting
- Encryption: End-to-end encrypted location data
Featured Snippet Boxes
What is Samsung Smart Tagged Baggage Service?
The Smart Tagged Baggage Service is a partnership between Samsung and Turkish Airlines launched December 1, 2025, enabling passengers to track lost or delayed luggage using Galaxy SmartTag devices connected to the SmartThings Find network of 700 million Galaxy devices. Passengers share real-time location links with airline officials to expedite baggage recovery.
How does Galaxy SmartTag track airline luggage?
Galaxy SmartTag uses Bluetooth Low Energy and ultra-wideband technology to communicate with nearby Samsung Galaxy devices, which anonymously relay the tag’s location through SmartThings Find. When luggage goes missing, passengers generate a secure tracking link in the app and share it with airline baggage staff.
What airlines support Galaxy SmartTag baggage tracking?
Turkish Airlines is currently the only airline with official Galaxy SmartTag integration through the Smart Tagged Baggage Service launched December 1, 2025. Samsung plans to expand partnerships to additional airlines globally in the near future.
Do you need a Samsung phone to use SmartTag for luggage?
Yes, Galaxy SmartTag requires a Samsung Galaxy smartphone running Android 9.0 or higher to set up and manage tracking through the SmartThings Find app. The tracker does not work with Google’s Find My Device network or non-Samsung Android phones.
How long does the Galaxy SmartTag 2 battery last?
Galaxy SmartTag 2 battery lasts up to 500 days in normal use mode, or up to 700 days when power-saving mode is enabled. The device uses a replaceable CR2032 battery.
Is Galaxy SmartTag waterproof for airline travel?
Galaxy SmartTag 2 has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of freshwater for 30 minutes. This protects the tracker during rain, spills, or accidental water exposure during travel.
Source : Samsung
