Smartvel has launched TravelAble, a new accessibility solution designed to help passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) better understand and navigate the complexities of air travel through personalised, step-by-step guidance.
TravelAble centralises
fragmented accessibility information from airlines and airports into a single,
structured content model, delivering tailored guidance based on each
traveller’s profile — including mobility equipment, battery type, and travel
context.
The platform organises
information across every stage of the journey, from pre-departure planning
through to arrival, providing clear answers on what assistance to request, what
to expect at security and boarding, and how equipment will be handled throughout
the trip.
It also translates
technical IATA Special Service Request (SSR) codes — such as WCHR (wheelchair
ramp), WCHS (wheelchair steps) and WCHC (wheelchair cabin) — into plain
language, helping travellers better understand the level of support available.
“Accessibility in
travel is still far too complex and fragmented,” said Iñigo Valenzuela, CEO
of Smartvel. “TravelAble is about turning that complexity into clarity —
giving travellers confidence through personalised, reliable information, while
helping airlines and airports deliver a more consistent and inclusive
experience.”
Addressing a
critical gap
Research conducted
during the development of TravelAble highlights ongoing challenges for
travellers with accessibility needs:
Security checks,
boarding procedures, and airport navigation were identified as the most
stressful points in the journey.
TravelAble addresses
these issues by providing structured, journey-based guidance aligned with
official airline and airport procedures, continuously monitored to ensure
accuracy.
Built for scale and
integration
Designed as a flexible content layer, TravelAble can be deployed across websites, apps, and digital booking environments as a widget, enabling airlines and travel platforms to integrate accessibility guidance directly into the customer journey.
The platform includes
more than 100 structured content categories and supports over 8,000 possible
requirement combinations, ensuring highly personalised outputs for each
traveller.
Operational and
customer benefits
Beyond improving the
traveller experience, TravelAble is designed to support airline and airport
operations by reducing repetitive customer queries, minimising last-minute
issues related to equipment and battery compliance, and improving alignment
between passengers and ground teams.
It also supports
broader ESG and accessibility objectives by enabling more consistent, inclusive
communication across digital channels.
While initially focused on passengers with reduced mobility, Smartvel plans to expand TravelAble to cover a wider range of accessibility needs, including visual, auditory, cognitive, and hidden disabilities, as well as additional medical equipment requirements. -TradeArabia News Service
