New Regulations Aim to Ensure Safer and More Respectful Air Travel for Passengers with Disabilities

"Now is the time to enhance travel safety and dignity for individuals with disabilities," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated in a recent interview with Dinogo about the proposed regulations designed to facilitate air travel for those who depend on wheelchairs. "It’s the right thing to do," he emphasized.

My daughter Claire is among the 5.5 million Americans who rely on wheelchairs for mobility. Passengers with disabilities, like her, are forced to check their wheelchairs before boarding flights. Unfortunately, airlines frequently damage or misplace wheelchairs, with 11,527 reported mishandlings in 2023 alone. Data from the Department of Transportation indicates that the mishandling of wheelchairs occurs at a significantly higher rate than that of luggage, and there has been no improvement in this issue over the past five years. For Claire and others with disabilities, flying can be a highly stressful ordeal. There’s always uncertainty about whether their wheelchairs will arrive intact at their destination or even be available at all.

The loss or damage of a wheelchair means that disabled passengers not only lose their mobility but also their independence upon arrival. Often, a lost or broken wheelchair can leave someone with a disability confined at home or in a hotel for extended periods. The wait for repairs or replacements can stretch for months. Secretary Buttigieg mentioned hearing from other disabled travelers who experienced physical injuries while receiving assistance during boarding or deplaning. There are also reports of passengers being stranded on planes for hours due to a lack of available assistance. One traveler, who needs help getting on and off flights, shared with Secretary Buttigieg that he felt "like a piece of luggage" while flying.

Like many others with disabilities, my daughter Claire stopped flying for several years because the risks were too significant. Her wheelchair suffered repeated damage at the hands of airlines. The very real threat of being homebound for weeks after each flight led my family to prefer car travel for a considerable time. We only consider flying with Claire when absolutely necessary, such as for her grandmother’s memorial service.

Enhanced Protections for Disabled Travelers

After hearing numerous accounts from disabled passengers about their experiences flying, Secretary Buttigieg acknowledged that "the existing regulations are insufficient." Consequently, on February 27, 2024, the Department of Transportation introduced new regulations aimed at safeguarding the rights of air travelers with disabilities.

If implemented, the new regulations will grant disabled passengers several additional rights. These include the ability to select their own service provider for repairing or replacing wheelchairs that have been mishandled, the timely return of delayed wheelchairs, prompt assistance upon disembarkation, the assurance that their wheelchair will be waiting near the aircraft exit, and immediate notification if their wheelchair cannot be accommodated on the plane.

The proposed regulations will also mandate annual training for airline staff and contractors who assist passengers with mobility challenges and manage wheelchairs. Furthermore, the new rules will simplify the process for the Department of Transportation to impose fines on airlines that infringe upon the rights of disabled passengers.

Secretary Buttigieg expressed to Dinogo his hope and expectation that airlines will welcome these changes, as they will instill greater confidence in customers about their airline experience. He also aims for the many individuals with disabilities who have "chosen not to travel anymore due to the uncertainty and challenges" to consider flying again, ensuring that those who do take to the skies feel assured that their safety and dignity will be upheld.

Advocates Say Changes Are Long Overdue but Insufficient

Cory Lee, a travel blogger and advocate for individuals with disabilities who uses a wheelchair, expressed to Dinogo his "immense excitement" about the new proposal. He remarked, "While it’s long overdue, I’m pleased that action is finally being taken to enhance accessibility in air travel."

As a frequent flyer, Lee mentioned that his wheelchair is "damaged in some way" on approximately half of his flights. He pointed out, "If an able-bodied person's legs were being broken on 50 percent of their flights, there would be an uproar. Yet for the disability community, this has been an accepted part of travel for far too long." Lee is particularly enthusiastic about the proposal to mandate annual training for airline personnel. He said, "Often when I fly, the staff are not trained on how to handle my wheelchair or assist me properly, so I believe this will significantly improve safety in air travel."

While Lee believes that "any move towards a more inclusive flying experience is positive," he hopes to see regulations advance further. He ultimately desires regulations that ensure airlines provide space for passengers to remain securely in their wheelchairs during flights, similar to what is available on buses and trains.

Elena Hung, co-founder of Little Lobbyists, a family-driven organization advocating for the rights of children with complex medical needs and disabilities, also endorses the new regulations. She told Dinogo, "Like all children, disabled children deserve to fly to visit family or go on vacation. Travel should not be burdened with so many obstacles, and it’s high time we address this issue." However, Hung would also like to see the proposed measures go further. She added, "Every effort that improves travel accessibility is a step in the right direction," but emphasized that "accessible restrooms on airplanes and in airports, including adult changing tables, would make travel much easier and more achievable for those with disabilities."

The Department of Transportation invites the public to share their feedback on the proposed regulations until April 27. Following this period, the Department is expected to release final rules that airlines will need to implement.