Miami International Airport (MIA) has taken a significant step towards enhancing accessibility for passengers with limited mobility. On June 21, 2024, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, alongside officials from American Airlines, Envoy Air, WHILL, Inc., and the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, announced the introduction of ten new autonomous power chairs. Developed by WHILL, Inc., these chairs are now being used by Envoy Air to provide assistance to American Airlines passengers with mobility challenges.
The initiative marks a pivotal moment in MIA’s commitment to improving the customer experience for all travelers. Mayor Levine Cava emphasized the airport’s dedication to accessibility, stating, “As part of our unprecedented efforts to modernize our airport and improve our customer experience, we ensure our county services are as accessible as possible for all our residents and visitors.” She expressed pride in MIA’s leading role in accessibility within the aviation industry.
These innovative self-driving mobility devices, which arrived at MIA this spring, offer a transformative experience for passengers. Travelers can simply select their destination on a touch screen, allowing the chairs to autonomously navigate to their desired gate. This autonomous transportation enhances freedom, confidence, independence, and the overall customer experience, providing a seamless and dignified journey for passengers with mobility limitations.
On average, 120 American Airlines passengers utilize these chairs daily, traversing concourses D and E at MIA. This implementation aligns with MIA’s comprehensive accessibility services, which encompass a range of initiatives designed to create an inclusive environment for all travelers. These services include the MIAair tour program, offering practice travel experiences for passengers with disabilities; accessibility lanes in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) passport control areas; wheelchair charging stations conveniently located throughout the airport; free sunflower lanyards for travelers with hidden disabilities; multi-sensory rooms in concourses D and J, catering to young passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities; the Aira Airport Network, providing navigation assistance for blind or low-vision travelers; and seven designated service animal relief areas.
MIA’s dedication to accessibility has earned it recognition as the first airport in Florida and the second in the United States to receive the Airports Council International (ACI) Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation. This accreditation is a testament to the airport’s commitment to adhering to international best practices and recommendations in creating an accessible environment.
Looking towards the future, MIA is undertaking an unprecedented investment of nearly $9 billion in future-ready maintenance upgrades and capital improvements. This significant investment aims to enhance the customer experience for generations to come, ensuring that MIA remains at the forefront of accessibility and innovation within the aviation industry.
