Rather, it says it is at the mercy of the rules. The airline has not issued a specific policy prohibiting baggage trackers. Lufthansa said on Sunday on Twitter that the trackers must be deactivated in checked baggage on its flights, citing the International Civil Aviation Organization’s guidelines for dangerous goods as well as the trackers’ “transmission function.” Shutting off the trackers renders them useless. A variety of other companies sell similar trackers, including Tile, which is popular with users of Android phones. Regulators in the United States have said the trackers, which use Bluetooth technology and do not interfere with the airplanes’ communications equipment, are permitted in carry-on or checked baggage. Though Lufthansa said it has no desire to prohibit the devices that it deemed safe, the airline seems to have stepped in a mess based on the reading of obscure international guidelines and regulations, with no clear consensus on what is and is not allowed in Europe.

Lufthansa found itself in the middle of the issue when reports surfaced in the German news media that the devices were prohibited. It does not appear that any other airlines are requiring passengers to turn off the trackers, which have become popular as a way to find lost baggage. Apple rejected that interpretation on Tuesday, saying its trackers comply with all regulations.

Lufthansa, a German airline, set off confusion recently after telling passengers that they could not use trackers like Apple AirTags in checked baggage because of international guidelines for personal electronic devices. Update: Lufthansa says Apple AirTags are once again allowed in checked bags.

The Travelers Within by Daniel Mode