DALLAS — This week, American Airlines (AA) launched an automated tag for mobility devices, the first U.S. airline to do so. The technology improves the handling of wheelchairs and mobility devices across AA's network.

The new automatic tags, which replace the previous manual ones, feature customer- and device-specific information such as itineraries, delivery sites, device weight, battery type, and the amount of things removed and taken on board.

This information guarantees that the devices are handled more accurately and consistently, and it improves visibility throughout the route. Automation enables the device's data to be readily shared among frontline team members' applications, ensuring that they get the correct information at the right moment.

Comments from American Airlines

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

Rath added, "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.”

The carriers says that it has artnered with an outside organization to offer "in-person mobility device training to its Airport Customer Service and Customer Operations team members and vendor partners."