It’s one of those things that makes you sit back and wonder how it took us this long to get here but, American Airlines has become the first U.S. carrier to introduce automated tags for mobility devices. The Fort Worth, Texas based carrier is launching the new tags as part of an ongoing commitment to improve wheelchair and mobility device handling across its network.
These tags replace the handwritten tags that had been used previously for a variety of mobility devices including wheelchairs. The tags were developed by American’s in-house technology team and are being used at airports where American and its regional partners operate.
Julie Rath, American’s Senior Vice President of Airports, Reservations and Service Recovery, who I’m sure had a very busy weekend, had this to say about the new tags:
“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.”
Julie Rath, American’s SVP of Airports, Reservations, and Service Recovery
The new tags feature customer and device-specific data including itineraries, delivery points, device weight, battery type and the number of items removed and taken on board. If you’re wondering to yourself what the big deal is since these look just like luggage tags, prior to this American was handwriting tags that were then added to the mobility device at the gate. Now, should one of these items get lost or damaged, it will be much easier to rectify the situation.
According to American, 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 right information at the right time.
Summary
American Airlines has become the first U.S. based carrier to introduce automated tags for mobility devices. The tags, which are similar in style to luggage tags, will help the airline track the passenger’s itinerary, along with the necessary delivery points and other information such as device weight, battery type and the number of items removed and taken on board.
For more information on the mobility device tags and additional services for passengers using mobility devices head to AA.com.
