Simulated baggage information messages

A system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to cause the at least one processor to:
• check in a luggage item of a passenger with a flight outside of a regulated check-in window;
• generate a simulated baggage information message outside of the regulated check-in window using a passenger name record (PNR) number as a temporary unique identifier;
• and
• create an electronic placeholder of the checked in luggage item outside of the regulated check-in window and prior to an International Air Transport Association (IATA) compatible bag tag number being assigned electronically,
• wherein the simulated baggage information message is compatible with IATA B-Type message communication format.

A method comprising:

• checking in, by at least one of at least one processor, a luggage item of a passenger with a flight;
• generating, by at least one of at least one processor, a simulated baggage information message using a passenger name record (PNR) number as a temporary unique identifier, the simulated baggage information message being compatible with an electronic IATA B-Type message communication format;
• creating, by at least one of at least one processor, an electronic placeholder of the checked in luggage item prior to an International Air Transport Association (IATA) compatible bag tag number being assigned electronically;
• assigning, by a remote simulated Departure Control System (DCS), an IATA compatible bag tag number that has a non-flying airline carrier code configured to be processed through an airline baggage handling system;
• populating, by at least one of at least one processor, the simulated baggage information message with a bag tag number;
• and
• merging, by at least one of at least one processor, the simulated baggage information message with an airline baggage source message associated with the checked in luggage item to form a unified baggage information message that includes the assigned bag tag number.