March 9, 2026, 6:55 am | Read time: 3 minutes
After landing, many travelers first look at the baggage carousel. A quick check on the display, then the waiting begins. As suitcase after suitcase passes by on the belt, sometimes your own remains missing. Lost luggage is one of the most frustrating situations when traveling.
This is where a new feature from Google comes in. The company is expanding its Android location network to make it easier to find lost travel luggage. In the future, the system can help locate lost suitcases more quickly. The idea behind it: Travelers should be able to better track the location of their luggage and share it more easily with the airline in case of loss.
Find Hub Platform is Expanded
The core of the new feature is the “Find Hub” platform. Behind it is the network known in Germany as “Find My Device.” This platform already allows various devices to be located, such as smartphones, headphones, or other electronic devices.
In the future, the system will also help locate travel luggage. However, this requires a compatible Bluetooth tracker in the suitcase. This must be connected to the Android network. If so, the tracker’s location can be displayed on a map via the corresponding app.
Location Can Be Shared with Airlines
If a checked suitcase goes missing at the destination airport, users can share the location of their tracker with the airline. The app provides a special link for this purpose. Airline staff can use this link to see where the luggage was last located. This is intended to make the search easier and help find lost suitcases more quickly. Airlines receive additional information that can assist in processing a loss report.
According to Google, access to the location data is time-limited. The link that allows airlines to see the location can be deactivated at any time. It also automatically expires after seven days. This ensures that only those who have actually received the link have access to the location information. Google also emphasizes that the location data is transmitted encrypted.
Xiaomi Tag Launches Unexpectedly–A Challenge to Apple’s AirTag?
How Do Flight Trackers Actually Work?
Other Tech Companies Also Active
The idea of finding lost luggage more easily through tracking systems is not new. Other technology companies are already cooperating with airlines. Samsung has been working with Turkish Airlines since December 2025. Travelers can attach the location of a suitcase with a Galaxy SmartTag directly to a loss report via a link. In the SmartThings Find app, a photo of the luggage can also be stored to facilitate identification.
Even more widespread is Apple’s network. The company’s “Find My” tracking system from Cupertino is now supported by more than 30 airlines.
Cooperation with Several Airlines
Google is also relying on partnerships with airlines for its new feature. At launch, the company is working with several international airlines. These include Aer Lingus, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, and Singapore Airlines. Several airlines in the Lufthansa Group are also involved, including Lufthansa itself, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.