Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced sweeping protections for airline passengers with disabilities that will go into effect on Jan. 16, 2025. “This is the most comprehensive [change toward accessible air travel] in a generation,” he said.
“This rule puts teeth into the Air Carrier Access Act and represents nothing short of a sea change in air travel for wheelchair users,” said United Spinal Association President & CEO Vincenzo Piscopo. “We couldn’t be prouder of our members and fellow advocates for helping us push this final rule over the finish line. But this is a new beginning. Now comes the hard part–we must continue to hold the airline industry and the government accountable to ensure the rule is enforced.”
The new rule requires:
- Safe and dignified assistance to travelers with disabilities: that is, no risk of bodily injury and assistance must be provided in a manner that respects a passenger’s independence, autonomy, and privacy.
- Airline employees and contractors who assist travelers with disabilities and handle mobility aids such as wheelchairs must undergo annual and refresher training. Also, ‘hands-on’ training is now required, including competency tests.
- Airlines must return all checked wheelchairs and other assistive devices to passengers in the condition in which they are received. Any mishandling is now a clear violation of the Air Carrier Access Act.
Also, airlines must now promptly “enplane, deplane and connect assistance from airlines.” This includes ensuring the passenger’s wheelchair is near the aircraft door upon request.
“This is the beginning of a new era in flying for wheelchair users, but now more than ever, we will need passenger feedback on how the new standards are working or not working,” adds Kent Keyser, United Spinal’s Public Policy Fellow. “It will still take some time for the new training standards to cover the full workforce. And we still have much work to do to support a stable, reliable workforce so that we get the help we need, when we need it, flying what we hope are friendlier skies.”
The photo at the top of the article shows U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, United Spinal Association Vice President, Government Relations, Alexandra Bennewith, and U.S. DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Visit our Accessible Air Travel page to join in our advocacy efforts.