DOT’s New Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities: What You Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced groundbreaking protections for airline passengers with disabilities, marking the most significant expansion of rights for this group in decades. Led by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the new rules aim to ensure safer, more dignified air travel for millions of Americans who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices. Here’s a breakdown of what this means for passengers and airlines alike.

Why These Changes Matter

For the estimated 5.5 million Americans who rely on wheelchairs, air travel has long been fraught with challenges. Data from the DOT highlights that for every 100 mobility devices transported on domestic flights, at least one is lost, delayed, or damaged. These incidents can severely impact a person’s independence, mobility, and health, sometimes resulting in injuries or significant life disruptions.

In recent years, the DOT has taken a firm stance against such issues. Notably, in October 2024, the department issued a $50 million penalty against American Airlines for mishandling cases involving passengers with disabilities. Building on these efforts, the new rules create clearer standards for airlines, addressing key concerns about accessibility and fair treatment.

What the New Rules Cover

The finalized regulations, which take effect on January 16, 2025, address several critical areas:

1. Safe and Dignified Assistance

• Airlines are now required to provide assistance that ensures passengers are not put at risk of bodily harm.
• Assistance must respect passengers’ independence, autonomy, and privacy, ensuring a dignified experience.

2. Improved Training Standards

• Airline employees and contractors must complete annual, hands-on training for assisting passengers with disabilities and handling mobility devices.
• By June 2026, workers will need to pass competency assessments or certification exams to demonstrate their skills.

3. Prompt Assistance

• Passengers with disabilities must receive timely help for boarding, deplaning, and connecting flights.
• Personal wheelchairs must be returned as close to the aircraft door as possible upon request.

4. Accountability for Mishandled Devices

• Airlines must return wheelchairs in the same condition they were received. If a device is damaged, the airline is presumed to be at fault unless proven otherwise.
• Airlines must also cover repair or replacement costs, provide temporary loaner devices, and reimburse passengers for alternative transportation when necessary.

5. Enhanced Communication with Passengers

• Airlines must notify passengers about the status of their wheelchair or scooter before departure, upon arrival, and if mishandled.
• Passengers must also receive written details about their rights and next steps if their device is delayed or damaged.

6. Rebooking and Fare Adjustments

• If a passenger’s wheelchair or scooter cannot be loaded onto a flight, airlines must offer free rebooking on the next available flight or provide reimbursement for fare differences.

7. Onboard Wheelchair Standards

• Improved standards for onboard wheelchairs will apply to all new twin-aisle aircraft by 2026.

A Shift Toward Greater Transparency

The new rules require airlines to publish detailed information about cargo hold dimensions and other aircraft specifications on their websites. This ensures that passengers can determine whether their mobility devices will fit on specific flights.

Additionally, airlines must deliver delayed wheelchairs within 24 hours for domestic flights or 30 hours for longer international trips. Passengers can choose whether to pick up the device at the airport or have it delivered to a convenient location, such as their home or hotel.

Broader Efforts to Improve Accessibility

These new protections are part of a broader commitment by the DOT to make air travel more inclusive. Other recent initiatives include:

• The Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, introduced in 2022, which educates passengers about their rights.
• A 2023 rule requiring accessible lavatories on new aircraft.
• Funding for over 150 projects to enhance accessibility at airport terminals through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The department is also exploring future rules that would allow passengers to remain in their wheelchairs during flights, a longstanding request from disability advocates.

What Comes Next

The implementation of these rules will occur over several years, with full compliance expected by mid-2026 for most requirements. For travelers, these changes promise a safer and more equitable flying experience. For airlines, they signal a new era of accountability and responsibility in ensuring accessible air travel for all.

Passengers can learn more about their rights and protections at FlightRights.gov. Complaints about airline mishandling of mobility devices or other accessibility issues can be filed directly with the DOT.

With these sweeping changes, the DOT is setting a new standard for how airlines accommodate passengers with disabilities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to travel with safety, dignity, and peace of mind.

For further details, please consult the U.S. Department of Transportation press release.