Alongside hard resolutions, IATA publishes Recommended Practices (RPs) – guidelines that describe best ways to handle baggage operations. These are not binding, but many airlines and airports adopt them as industry standards. Some notable RPs include:
- Baggage Reference Manual (RP 1690b): This manual itself (on which we’ve based these articles) is officially a recommended practice (iata.org). It collects best practices and solutions for baggage handling.
- Self-Service Bag Check-in (RP 1701f): Guidance on procedures for passenger-checked baggage using automated kiosks or bag-drop machines (iata.org).
- Bag Tag Standards: RPs like 1740b and 1740c define fallback tags and RFID specifications to improve tag readability and sorting (iata.org).
- Missed Baggage Tracing (RP 1743 series): This set (1743a–1743e) gives procedures for tracing missing bags, handling damage claims, and reporting theft or irregularities (iata.org). For instance, 1743e specifies a standard Irregularity Report form.
- Electronic Baggage Tags (RP 1754): Guidelines on using e-tags instead of paper tags to streamline check-in and tracking (iata.org).
- Baggage Handling Systems (RP 1748) and Messaging (RP 1745): Specs for how the conveyors and software should operate and communicate.
In all, there are dozens of baggage RPs covering tag quality, conveyor speeds, lost baggage notice letters, even catch-all policies like RP 1744 (“Local Baggage Committee Bylaws”) (iata.org). By following these recommendations, airports and airlines can use compatible technology and processes – reducing errors and smoothing passengers’ experience.
