American Airlines - St. Louis

Setting the Scene: Baggage Check-In

For the bag check agents at St. Louis Airport, a typical shift means long hours spent on unforgiving hard concrete, navigating the narrow spaces between weighing machinery and baggage conveyor belts. This environment demands constant movement, repetitive lifting, and managing high volumes of rolling luggage – a scenario ripe for strain and fatigue.

The Challenge

American Airlines recognized that their frontline team needed a better solution than the existing matting, which often presented its own trip hazards. The baggage check-in area is a complex industrial setting, posing unique operational hurdles:

• Agents stood for extended periods on a hard surface.
• The area saw heavy rolling luggage and foot traffic.
• The tight corridors and presence of equipment (scales, belt systems) meant any solution had to integrate seamlessly and handle equipment vibration.
• A custom, durable anti-fatigue solution was needed that also met strict high-visibility safety requirements.

The SmartCells Solution

To meet American Airlines’ needs for a durable, custom-fit solution, SmartCells installed 549 square feet of our 1” Black Custom Anti-Fatigue Tiles.

The flooring was configured into multiple Custom Runner Sections using an Offset Tile Design. This layout was strategically placed in the standing, pivoting, and lifting zones directly between the weighing stations and baggage belts. This custom configuration was critical because it:

• Ensured full area protection exactly where agents worked.
• Offered enhanced stability under the heavy daily traffic.
• Provided a clean, professional look that fit around existing machinery.

To maximize safety and create smooth access, 17 linear feet of 3.5” Yellow Transition Ramps were installed at the edges of the runner sections. The highly visible yellow ramps eliminated the trip hazards of previous mats, defined clear operational boundaries, and allowed for safer transitions between the new flooring and the existing concrete.

The Impact on the Frontline Team

The installation significantly improved the daily working conditions for the bag check agents. By providing targeted, full-area coverage, American Airlines delivered several key benefits:

• Reduced fatigue from prolonged standing.
• Eliminated trip hazards associated with old, ill-fitting mats.
• Increased traction and stability in a fast-paced environment.
• Enhanced comfort that lasts throughout long shifts.

SmartCells’ proprietary cushioning technology absorbs impact and returns energy with every step, reducing strain on the agents’ joints and muscles. In a demanding operational setting like an airport, even incremental improvements in employee well-being can lead to meaningful long-term performance gains.

The Results

The project at St. Louis Airport stands as a clear demonstration of how SmartCells Custom Anti-Fatigue Flooring can be tailored for complex, high-traffic industrial environments. By prioritizing employee comfort, safety, and workflow efficiency with a custom modular solution, American Airlines made a focused investment in supporting its vital frontline team.