The Baggage Reference Manual (BRM) is intended to be used as a general reference document for everyone involved in baggage activities. This includes ground handlers, check-in agents, supervisors, claims officers, operations and station managers, training departments, head office personnel, and anyone else dealing with baggage or requiring a better understanding of the big picture of baggage operations and policy.

The BRM contains the latest best practices in baggage operations and policy. By applying these practices, baggage handling can help reduce the number of mishandled bags and related costs, as well as increase customer satisfaction in baggage handling.

The complementary IATA Airline Baggage ID is now available in a digital format, enabling airlines, airports, and ground handlers to accurately identify and describe mishandled baggage within any automated baggage tracing system.

 

What's inside the BRM?

  • Part I - The Baggage World (Baggage Resolutions and Recommended Practices, Airport Operational Structure, The Generic Baggage Chain, 10-Digit License Plate, Baggage Tracking, Messaging and Requirements, Measuring Quality in the Baggage Area)
  • Part II – The Baggage Journey (Check-in, Security, Storage, Load and Unload, Transfer, Arrival and Claim)
  • Part III – Most Common Baggage Problems and Solutions (Guide to Solutions and Their Placement in the Baggage Journey, Baggage Handling Problems, Solutions) 
  • Part IV – The Future of Baggage (Short to Medium Term Future, RFID and XML, Technology Roadmap, The Role of Data in Baggage Operations)
  • Appendix A – Extracts of Baggage Handling Resolutions and Recommended Practices (Extracts of Baggage Related IATA Resolutions and Extracts of Baggage Related IATA Recommended Practices)
  • Appendix B – Glossary
  • Appendix C - Special Section-Recommendations for a "Touch-Free" Baggage Process During the COVID-19 Crisis

Download the full table of contents, list of baggage Resolutions and Recommended Practices, and sample pages

Stay up-to-date

Significant Changes and Amendments to the 7th edition (2026) of the IATA Baggage Reference Manual (BRM) include:

  1 – Operations Overview

  • Introduces scalable solutions for airports of all sizes, backed by Resolution 753 baggage tracking — ensuring accountability at every handover.

  2 – Baggage Operations Standards

  • Features updated IATA Resolutions with a focus on RFID, XML messaging, and digital compliance — enabling faster, smarter, and more accurate data exchange.

  3 – The Baggage Journey

  • Refines process maps and offers practical solutions for short connections, re-flighting, and off-airport acceptance models — simplifying complex journeys.

  4 – Common Problems & Solutions

  • Delivers proven fixes for industry challenges such as bag tag failures, system bottlenecks, and transfer mishandling — helping reduce delays and global mishandling rates.

  5 – Baggage Technology

  • Explores biometrics, automation, AI, and predictive analytics — shaping a smarter, more resilient baggage ecosystem.

  6 – Baggage Claims & Proration

  • Includes a major new addition. With Resolutions 780 and 754, the BRM now provides clear frameworks for interline claims and cost sharing — reducing disputes and accelerating settlements.

  7 – Baggage Disruption Handling

  • Introduces structured playbooks for IT failures, weather disruptions, and mass events — with standardized re-flight messaging under Resolution 755 to improve recovery speed and consistency.

Digital Messaging & Integration

  • Reference tables, standards, and real-world case studies have been updated to include practical tools that stakeholders can apply immediately.
  • The digital BRM includes the Ground Operations Messaging Toolkit (GO XML), which provides all digital messages, implementation guides, and tools to help integrate these messages into your organization.
  • For baggage, the new BIX message is now available, along with its implementation guidelines. The BRM toolbox also includes other useful documents such as the Electronic Bag Tag Implementation Guide and the Off-Airport Operations Guide.