The information printed on the ABT varies slightly from one airline to another but every tag has the passenger's name, flight number, date and destination. It might have the bag weight, place of origin and the booking reference. There's also a 10-digit number known as the IATA license plate code.

An airline baggage tag in 2026 is typically a long, adhesive strip of thermal paper that is wrapped around the handle of your suitcase. It features a large barcode (or QR code) and a unique 10-digit number known as the License Plate Number (LPN), which allows the airport's automated sorting systems to track your bag. The tag clearly displays your destination airport code in large, bold letters (e.g., LHR for London Heathrow) and lists your flight numbers, name, and any connecting cities. In 2026, many tags also incorporate RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, allowing the bag to be scanned wirelessly as it moves through the airport. Additionally, many frequent travelers are now using Electronic Bag Tags (EBTs)—permanent digital displays that clip onto the bag and can be updated via a smartphone app. These EBTs replace the need for paper tags at check-in, showing the same barcode and flight information on an e-paper screen that is easy to read for both humans and machines.