American Airlines Introduces Innovative Automated Tag For Mobility Devices

Image: Wheelchair at airline check-in counter. (Photo Credit: VTT Studio / Adobe Stock)
Image: Wheelchair at airline check-in counter. (Photo Credit: VTT Studio / Adobe Stock)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 8:05 AM ET, Wed July 24, 2024

American Airlines is introducing a helpful innovation, becoming the first airline in the United States to launch an automated tag for mobility devices to improve wheelchair and mobility device handling across its network.

The advancement was developed by the carrier.

“American is committed to improving the travel experience for our customers who use wheelchairs and mobility devices,” said Julie Rath, American’s Senior Vice President of Airports, Reservations and Service Recovery. “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.”

Not only are they expected to be helpful for those who need mobility devices, but they appear to be comprehensive.

New automated tags, replacing the previous manual tags, feature customer-and-device-specific data like itineraries, delivery points, device weight, battery type and the number of items removed and taken on board.

This additional information will ensure more accurate and consistent information for team members handling the devices and provide enhanced visibility of the devices throughout customers’ travel journeys. The automation also enables the device’s information to be more easily shared across frontline team members’ applications, ensuring team members have the correct information at the right time.

It is part of an ongoing effort by the airline to assist those who need mobility devices with the travel experience. These actions have helped American improve handling of these devices. Ability devices include wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, canes and more.

The challenges of needing such devices in order to fly are numerous.


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Rich Thomaselli

Rich Thomaselli

Associate Writer

Editor Associate Writer true 9281 14744 Rich Thomaselli has written for TravelPulse since 2014 and has been a professional journalist for nearly 40 years. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times and New York Yankees publications. He is an 11-time writ

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