Losing luggage during air travel can be a frustrating experience, and it’s even more disheartening when it’s something as valuable as a bicycle. However, thanks to modern technology, one man’s ordeal took a positive turn when an Apple AirTag helped him locate his lost bicycle during a trip to Europe.
Barry Sherry, a 68-year-old cyclist from Virginia, was embarking on what he intended to be his last cycling trip to Europe—a memorable journey through the Swiss Alps, Luxembourg, and Finland. He had attached an Apple AirTag to his bicycle to help track it during the trip.
After booking a ticket with American Airlines for his travel, which involved codeshare flights on British Airways planes, Barry set off for his adventure. Unfortunately, upon arriving at Zurich airport, he faced the unfortunate reality that his bike had been mishandled and lost by the airline.
Undeterred, Barry turned to the ‘Find My’ app on his Apple device, which can trace Apple devices, including AirTags. The app pinpointed the location of his bike at London’s Heathrow Airport, even though he was in Zurich at the time. Armed with this real-time information, he reported the situation to the lost baggage desk and showed the app’s data.
Although the staff member couldn’t log the location of the bike, she was intrigued by Barry’s use of the app. She informed him that most lost luggage is found within 24 hours. Patiently waiting and continuously tweeting the bike’s location, Barry received an email from British Airways confirming that his bicycle was on its way back to him.
The Apple AirTag proved to be a valuable asset during this ordeal, as Barry could track its location regularly. This information likely prompted the airline to expedite the bike’s return. Without the AirTag, Barry might have faced a more extended wait for his bicycle’s recovery.
Barry expressed his relief and appreciation for the technology, saying, “It helped [him] being able to see every few hours that it was last seen a few minutes ago, and I think American Airlines or maybe the Heathrow Twitter team got it moving.” He acknowledged that without the AirTag, he might still be waiting, but he’s grateful that it facilitated a swift resolution to his predicament.
