Fly Low Cost Airlines Travel Information World Wide

Passengers with Disabilities

Millions of people world wide have disabilities. The Air Carrier Access Act and the Departments of Transportation (DOT) set out rules and procedures designed to prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and to ensure that these individuals have the same opportunity as anyone else to enjoy a pleasant flight.

Prohibition of Discriminatory Practices

Carriers may not refuse transportation to people on the basis of disability or be required to have an attendant or produce a medical certificate, except in certain limited circumstances specified in the rule. Airlines may exclude anyone from a flight if carrying the person would be inimical to the safety of the flight. If a carrier excludes a person with a disability on safety grounds, the carrier must provide a written explanation of the decision.
Airlines may not require advance notice that a person with a disability is traveling.
Carriers may require up to 48 hours’ advance notice for certain accommodations that require preparation time (e.g., respirator hook-up, transportation of an electric wheelchair on an aircraft with less than 60 seats).
Carriers may not limit the number of disabled persons on a flight.
Carriers may not require a person with a disability to travel with an attendant, except in certain limited circumstances specified in the rule. If a disabled passenger and the carrier disagree about the need for an attendant, the airline can require the attendant, but cannot charge for the transportation of the attendant.
Airlines may not keep anyone out of a seat on the basis of handicap, or require anyone to sit in a particular seat on the basis of handicap, except as an FAA safety rule requires.
FAA's rule on exit row seating says that carriers may place in exit rows only persons who can perform a series of functions necessary in an emergency evacuation.
Carriers must allow service animals to accompany passengers in the cabin, as long as they don't block the aisle or other emergency evacuation route.
FAA rules also prohibit passengers from bringing their own oxygen. Most airlines will provide aircraft-approved oxygen for a fee, but aren't required to.

Accessibility of facilities

New aircraft with 30 or more seats must have movable aisle armrests on half the aisle seats in the aircraft. "New aircraft" requirements apply to planes delivered after April 5, 1992. No retrofit is required, although compliance with on-board wheelchair requirements (see below) became mandatory on April 5, 1992 regardless of the plane’s age. As older planes are refurbished, required accessibility features (e.g., movable armrests) must be added.
New wide-body (twin-aisle) aircraft must have accessible lavatories.
New aircraft with 100 or more seats must have priority space for storing a passenger’s folding wheelchair in the cabin.
Aircraft with more than 60 seats and an accessible lavatory must have an on-board wheelchair, regardless of when the aircraft was ordered or delivered. For flights on aircraft with more than 60 seats that do not have an accessible lavatory, carriers must place an on-board wheelchair on the flight if a passenger with a disability gives the airline 48 hours’ notice that he or she can use an inaccessible lavatory but needs an on-board wheelchair to reach the lavatory.
Airport facilities owned or operated by carriers must meet the same accessibility standards that apply to Federally-assisted airport operators.
Most new airplanes must have movable armrests on half the aisle seats, and on-board stowage for one folding passenger wheelchair.

Other Services and Accommodations

Airlines are required to provide assistance with boarding, deplaning and making connections. Assistance within the cabin is also required, but not extensive personal services. Ramps or mechanical lifts must be available for most aircraft with 19 through 30 seats at all airports with over 10,000 annual enplanements.
Some small commuter aircraft may not be accessible to passengers with severe mobility impairments. When making plans to fly to small cities, such passengers should check on the aircraft type and its accessibility.
Airport terminals and airline reservations centers must have TDD telephone devices for persons with hearing or speech impairments.
Passengers with vision or hearing impairments must have timely access to the same information given to other passengers at the airport or on the plane concerning gate assignments, delayed flights, safety, etc.
Disabled passengers’ items stored in the cabin must conform to FAA rules on the stowage of carry-on baggage. Assistive devices do not count against any limit on the number of pieces of carry-on baggage. Wheelchairs (including collapsible battery-powered wheelchairs) and other assistive devices have priority for in-cabin storage space (including in closets) over other passengers’ items brought on board at the same airport, if the passenger with a disability chooses to pre-board.
Wheelchairs and other assistive devices have priority over other items for storage in the baggage compartment.
Carriers must accept battery-powered wheelchairs, including the batteries, as checked baggage, and cannot require passengers to sign liability waivers for them (except for pre-existing damage). Packaging the batteries in hazardous materials packages may be necessary. The carrier provides the packaging.
Carriers may not charge for providing accommodations required by the rule, such as hazardous materials packaging for batteries. However, they may charge for optional services such as oxygen.
Other provisions concerning services and accommodations address treatment of mobility aids and assistive devices, passenger information, accommodations for persons with hearing impairments, security screening, communicable diseases and medical certificates, and service animals.

Administrative Provisions

Training is required for carrier and contractor personnel who deal with the traveling public.
Carriers must make available specially-trained "complaints resolution officials" to respond to complaints from passengers and must also respond to written complaints. A DOT enforcement mechanism is also available.
The rule applies to all U.S. air carriers providing commercial air transportation. ‘Indirect’ air carriers (e.g. charter operators) are not covered by certain provisions that concern the direct provision of air transportation services.
Carriers must obtain an assurance of compliance from contractors who provide services to passengers.

Increased Security

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, security measures have been heightened for the safety of all. While safety and security are the highest priorities, of equal importance is a smooth and safe flight process for passengers with disabilities as they move through the aviation system from origin to destination.

None of the new security measures decrease the responsibility of airports and airlines to provide accessible transportation for passengers with disabilities. However, everyone may experience some inconveniences and delays, while the nation adjusts to the new security reality.

Skycaps and other appropriate personnel are available to assist passengers (including at curbside) in transporting luggage and to assist those needing wheelchairs. Additionally, parking restrictions and pedestrian walkway modifications may present temporary difficulties to some travelers with disabilities. Passengers with disabilities should contact their airline and the airport well in advance of arrival to determine what revised arrangements have been made to accommodate their needs and identify any additional assistance needed. Letting the airline and the airport know in advance how they can help you will generally result in a smoother trip.

People who use wheelchairs and other assistive devices may be asked to cooperate in security searches of these devices. Just as there can be no discrimination against people with disabilities, there can be no compromise to the commitment and enforcement of safety and security standards in the aviation community.

Service animals and assistive devices such as walking canes, once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed, are permitted on board an aircraft. Personal wheelchairs and battery-powered scooters may still be used to reach departure gates after they are inspected to ensure that they do not present a security risk.

For general information and inquiries on the air traveler with a disability the following contacts have been identified:

For airline or airport problems, contact the Customer Relations or Consumer Affairs office of that airline or airport.
Your local Department of Transportation (DOT) to register your concern about airline service when experiencing air travel service problems concerning accommodations or services that must be provided to passengers with disabilities.
Your local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for general information for the air traveler with a disability.
The Department of Justice regarding general or specific “Disability Act” requirements, including questions about Standards for Accessible Design.

While we are hopeful that the new security procedures will not have a negative impact on your flying experience, we realize that things do not always go as planned. As an air traveler with a disability, if you feel that you have been treated in a discriminatory manner and in a way inconsistent with the safe carriage of all passengers, you may file a complaint against the airline or airport owner. See our pages on “How to file complaints”.

Terms, Conditions, Notices & Disclaimer.