Mobility and medical devices
Traveling with mobility and medical devices
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.
- Be sure your equipment is clearly labeled with your name, address and phone number.
- Write down the make, model, serial number and note any normal wear and tear.
- Write down any safe-handling and disassembly instructions and attach to your device.
- Plan to arrive at your departure gate 1 hour before scheduled departure.
- Check with the gate agent to get a gate delivery tag and attach it to your equipment before boarding.
- When you arrive at your final destination look over your equipment to make sure it’s in good and working condition before leaving the airport.
- Notify the gate agent or baggage service office if you notice any damage.
When you check in at the airport, we’ll inspect the condition of your mobility or medical device and document any pre-existing damage. If you notice damage when you arrive at your destination, you should file a report before you leave the airport at the Baggage Service Office, whenever possible.
You can notify us in person, by phone or online.
If your mobility or medical device is delayed, you must file a report within:
- 24 hours of your flight’s arrival for domestic itineraries
- 21 days of your flight’s arrival for international itineraries
If your mobility or medical device is damaged, you must file a report within:
- 24 hours of receiving the device for domestic itineraries
- 7 days of receiving the device for international itineraries
We may reject your claim if you don’t submit your report or required documents within these timeframes.
If your mobility or medical device is delayed or damaged, we’ll provide a temporary replacement and arrange to promptly repair any damage that occurred 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.
Submit a claim
After you complete your report, submit a claim online with required documents within 7 days of receiving your mobility device. Required documents include:
- A copy of your ID, like a driver’s license or passport
- A photo of the damage, If applicable
- Receipts for all items
- Airline ticket receipts
- Baggage claim checks
Submit a claim Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.
Carry-on 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:
- Canes, walkers, continuous positive airway pressure machines (CPAP) and other assistive devices that can be collapsed to fit into overhead and under-seat storage
- Items used for comfort such as seat cushions, arm or footrests
Wheelchairs
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:
- Transfers between your seat and an onboard wheelchair
- Moving the onboard wheelchair to and from the bathroom door
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:
- Be operated by American Airlines
- Have the same departure and arrival cities
- Have the same number of connections
- Depart the same day
You can request a refund after your trip is complete.
Requirements
When making your refund request, please provide:
- Your wheelchair dimensions
- A screenshot of your preferred flight showing:
- Fare
- Departure date
- Date and time you searched for the flight
If you booked through a travel agency or another third party, you would not be eligible for the refund.
Had a flight disruption?
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:
- Planes with 100 or more seats have closets to hold 1 collapsible wheelchair.
- Mobility devices can also be stored overhead or under your seat.
- Non-collapsible wheelchairs, scooters or other battery-powered wheelchairs can be checked at the ticket counter.
- Maximum wheelchair dimensions depend on the cargo door measurements.
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.
Wheelchair batteries are considered dangerous goods and restrictions apply. Batteries must be labeled by their manufacturer with the type of battery in the device:
- Lithum ion
- Non-spillable dry cell
- Wet cell
For more information on accepted batteries, visit our battery restrictions page.
Oxygen
Requirements for traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator
Before you board, check in at the gate so an agent can:
- Confirm that your POC is approved for use in flight
- Test that you can operate the POC and respond to its alarm
- Explain the phases of the flight when the POC will be operable
- Check your supply of fully charged batteries to power the POC no less than 150% for the duration of the flight and ground connection time (including unanticipated delays)
Additional information:
- POC must fit underneath the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff and landing
- Some seats may be unavailable due to limited under-seat space
- You can't sit in an emergency exit, bulkhead or any seat that blocks another passenger's aisle access if you have a POC in flight
- You may use your POC while away from your seat only when the "fasten seatbelt" sign is off
- POCs must be free of oil, grease or other petroleum products, in good condition and free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse
These POCs can be transported and / or used:
- AirSep Focus
- AirSep Freestyle / AirSep Freestyle 5
- Delphi Medical Systems Rs-00400 (Evo Ca1)
- DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo
- Inogen One / Inogen One G2 / Inogen One G3 / Inogen One G4
- Inova Labs Lifechoice
- Inova Labs Lifechoice Activox
- International Biophysics Lifechoice
- Invacare XPO2 - Includes model numbers XPO100 and XPO100b
- Invacare Solo2
- Oxlife Independence
- Oxus Rs-0400 Evo
- Precision Medical EasyPulse
- Respironics EverGo
- Respironics SimplyGo
- SeQual Eclipse - Models 1, 2 and 3*
- SeQual Eclipse 3-1000b*
- SeQual Equinox - Model 4000
- SeQual Saros*
- VBOX Trooper
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.
Onboard power for medical devices
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.
- If available, power outlets may be used for medical devices
- The use of onboard power might require a DC power adaptor