If you’re traveling with any medical device, a wheelchair or other mobility device we’re here to help – we offer pre-boarding, deplaning and airport assistance.
For battery operated mobility devices, contact Special Assistance to make sure the battery type is approved for travel and for any other special assistance travel requests.
If you’re connecting to another airline or traveling on a codeshare flight, contact the operating carrier or other airline for their rules on traveling with mobility and medical devices.
When you check-in at the airport we’ll inspect the condition of your mobility device and document any pre-existing damage. We’ll take great care to make sure no damage occurs to your mobility or medical device while in our care. However, if you notice damage when you arrive at your destination, please file a report at the Baggage Service Office.
If you’re not able to report any damage when you arrive, you can submit a claim online with required documents within 7 days of receiving your mobility or medical device.
Required documents include:
Submit a claim Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.
If your mobility or other medical device is delayed or damaged, we’ll provide a temporary replacement and arrange to promptly repair any damage that happened while it was in our care.
In the rare event that your mobility or medical device is damaged beyond repair or lost, despite our best care and efforts, we will replace it with the same, or comparable model. The limits of liability as stated in our Conditions of Carriage do not apply to mobility or medical devices.
Mobility and medical devices don’t count toward carry-on limits. If space is limited, the device doesn’t fit in the cabin or if it isn’t required during the flight, it may need to be checked. These include:
We recommend you make your special assistance requests as far in advance as possible before your trip. Have your wheelchair measurements and weight ready when you submit your request.
Please let a ticket counter or Reservations agent know if you need onboard wheelchair assistance during your trip. Flight attendants can assist with:
Flight attendants won't be able to help lift you in or out of the chair or bathroom. If you can't do this on your own, please book travel with someone who can help you.
If you book a more expensive flight because your preferred flight won’t fit your wheelchair or scooter, you can get a refund for the difference. Both flights must:
You can request a refund after your trip is complete.
When making your refund request, please provide:
If you booked through a travel agency or another third party, you would not be eligible for the refund.
Contact us if you’ve flown part of your trip with a wheelchair and have a flight disruption, like a delayed or canceled flight.
Some seats have movable armrests. You’ll find these seats on the seat map during booking or when you manage your trip online.
If you already submitted a special service request (SSR), unavailable seats like the exit row will be marked.
Keep in mind:
You can find your plane’s cargo compartment dimensions on our planes page. To learn the type of plane you’re on, log in to your account or find your trip online.
If your wheelchair won’t fit in the cargo compartment, contact Reservations.
Batteries are considered dangerous goods and restrictions apply. Batteries must be labeled by their manufacturer with the type of battery in the device:
For more information on accepted batteries, visit our battery restrictions page.
In adherence to the Montreal Convention, wheelchairs and other mobility devices are exempt from liability restrictions for loss, damage or delays to these items for both domestic and international travel. If your mobility device is damaged, it must be reported to the American Airlines Baggage Desk:
These POCs can be transported and / or used:
We also allow any POC with a manufacturer's label stating that it meets applicable FAA acceptance criteria to be carried and used on board.
FAA Regulations prohibit the use and transportation of other personal oxygen units, including those that contain compressed or liquid oxygen because they are classified as hazardous materials.
*SeQual Eclipse (models 1000, 1000a and 1000b) and SeQual Eclipse Saros may not be used on Republic Airways. These models are too large to fit under the seat for use on board the aircraft. These models may be transported in the cabin as assistive devices and stowed in the overhead compartments but cannot be used on board the aircraft.
We recommend you bring any necessary, fully-charged batteries to power your medical devices throughout your flight. Don’t depend on the availability of a power outlet to support your device.
