oneworld carrier American Airlines is the first in the United States to launch an automated tag for mobility devices as part of its ongoing investment and commitment to improving the travel experience for those bound to wheelchairs or requiring mobility devices. Developed by the airline’s in-house technology team, these tags are now deployed wherever American and its regional partners are operating.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines made the conscious decision to improve the travel experience for customers who require mobility devices, and streamlining the check-in and tagging process will aid in developing how the airline handles customer wheelchairs. These automated tags will replace previous manual tags. They will include customer-specific data such as itineraries, delivery points, weight, battery type (if any), and number of items removed and taken into the cabin.
Menu
Simple Flying logo
Close
TRENDING
SUBMENU
FEATURES
SUBMENU
BY REGION
SUBMENU
TRAVEL
SUBMENU
PRIVATE AVIATION
LOYALTY
VIDEOS
THREADS
MORE
SUBMENU
Sign In
Newsletter
American Launches US Airline’s First Automated Tag For Mobility Devices
American Airlines
4
By
Aaron Bailey
4 hours ago
Thread
Follow
Share
Link copied to clipboard
American Airlines Airbus A321 (N142AN) taking off. Photo: Philip Pilosian | Shutterstock
SUMMARY
American Airlines leads the way with automated tags for mobility devices, improving accuracy and accessibility for wheelchair users.
Additional training provided to team members, and investment in infrastructure will enhance the travel experience for those with mobility needs.
Customers can now easily add and maintain mobility devices in their travel profiles, ensuring safe transportation by American Airlines.
oneworld carrier American Airlines is the first in the United States to launch an automated tag for mobility devices as part of its ongoing investment and commitment to improving the travel experience for those bound to wheelchairs or requiring mobility devices. Developed by the airline’s in-house technology team, these tags are now deployed wherever American and its regional partners are operating.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines made the conscious decision to improve the travel experience for customers who require mobility devices, and streamlining the check-in and tagging process will aid in developing how the airline handles customer wheelchairs. These automated tags will replace previous manual tags. They will include customer-specific data such as itineraries, delivery points, weight, battery type (if any), and number of items removed and taken into the cabin.
American Airlines Senior Vice President of Airports, Reservation, and Service Recovery, Julie Rath, reiterated the airline’s vision in a recent airline statement:
“American is committed to improving the travel experience for our customers who use wheelchairs and mobility devices. Streamlining the check-in and tagging process is an industry-leading effort that will help us further improve how we handle wheelchairs for our customers who entrust us to transport their devices on their journey.”
Additional information on the tags will ensure more accurate details for ground crew handling throughout the customer’s journey. It will also enable the device information to be easily shared throughout American Airlines applications. Should equipment be misplaced, these details should now be easily accessible for team members in real-time. The carrier launched multiple improvements for wheelchairs and mobility devices in recent times, which has seen the carrier’s handling rate improve by 13% between the first half of 2023 and 2024.
Extra training will be provided for American team members, with help from outside organizations, to ensure that in-person mobility device training is extended to its Airport Customer Service and Customer Operations teams. Comprehensive web-based training will also be delivered to all American airport team members. American Airlines will also continue to invest in airport infrastructure, with its significant hubs looking at improved lifts and wheelchair moves being installed where there are high demands and mobility device traffic. This improvement will mitigate the risk of damage or injury to equipment and users.
American has made it easier for customers to add and maintain wheelchairs and other devices within their travel profiles on aa.com. From this fall, customers can access their travel profiles and preferences and add or remove them if they travel with mobility devices or service animals. These improvements will allow the carrier to ensure they have the most up-to-date information to transport these precious items safely and securely.