Japan Airlines Uses AI to Limit Flight Delays

DALLAS — Japan Airlines (JL) uses artificial intelligence (AI) at airports to gauge baggage sizes and weight to help eliminate flight delays.

Specifically, the Tokyo-based (TYO) airline uses AI to analyze footage from cameras installed at boarding gates this holiday season. This approach helps check carry-on baggage size and weight compliance, ensuring smoother boarding processes and reducing flight delays.

The system, designed by Japanese electronics giant NEC, completed a trial with Japan Airlines at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) this year. The trial, which ran from April to September 2024 at Boarding Gate 13 in Terminal 1, evaluated the system’s analysis accuracy in detection, classification, and alert timing for baggage exceeding overhead storage limits.

“Excess cabin baggage can lead to congestion in the aisles as passengers spend extra time storing their items in the overhead bins. It may also result in baggage being transferred to the cargo compartment after boarding, thereby increasing boarding time and potentially causing flight delays,” NEC and Japan Airlines said.

Alleviating Flight Delays

According to NEC and JL, the airline can use the system to develop concrete measures to prevent flight departure delays. 

The system classifies baggage into predefined categories and estimates each item's space in overhead bins in real time. It also triggers an alert if a passenger’s baggage breaches the threshold of the estimated storage capacity on flights.

This NEC/JL partnership follows a partnership between Apple and 15 major airlines, aiming to cut the time it takes to find lost baggage using the iPhone maker’s AirTags and Find My technology.

Airlines have different systems to ensure compliance with carry-on baggage rules. Many airlines still require passengers to queue to have their baggage weighed at boarding or departure gates, where staff members check the weight and size of the bags. NEC’s new AI solution alleviates this need.