A number of major US carriers have officially complained about a Biden-era Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that is intended to make wheelchair accessibility more common on commercial flights. The new policy, requiring airlines to change boarding procedures and in-cabin configurations for people with disabilities, has encountered resistance from the airline industry regarding cost and implementability.
What Does the New DOT Rule Require?
The DOT’s new rule for accessibility is intended to end age-old issues for wheelchair-riding passengers. The key provisions are:
- Faster and safer disability passenger boarding procedures.
- Stricter regulations on handling and stowage of wheelchairs to prevent damage.
- More accessible airplane interiors, including reserved seating and restroom facilities.
- Better airline employee training to attend to mobility-impaired passengers.
These reforms are designed to reduce travel inconvenience for disabled travelers, who frequently complain of lost, delayed, or damaged wheelchairs, as well as inconsistent treatment by airline staff.
Why Are Airlines Resisting?
Major carriers believe that while enhancing accessibility is critical, the new rules pose enormous operational and cost burdens. The industry’s prime concerns are:
- Aircraft Design Limitations – Retrofitting existing aircraft to fit larger restrooms and wheelchair-accessible seating areas would be costly and technically challenging.
- Extended Boarding and Turnaround Times – Airlines are concerned that new regulations may lead to flight delays, affecting operating efficiency.
- Financial Implications – Compliance costs could lead to an increase in ticket prices or a slashing of service on certain routes.
The spokesperson for an airline said:
“We support access, but these regulations put excessive burdens on carriers without providing simple solutions for implementation.”
Advocates Stand Up for the Rule
Disability rights groups and travel accessibility organizations contend that the airline industry has fought against changes for decades, putting passengers with disabilities at a disadvantage.
- Repeated occurrences of wheelchair damage have resulted in court cases and public outrage.
- Most travelers with disabilities suffer from stress and discomfort as a result of poor in-flight accommodations.
- Ally advocates claim airlines are capable of making these changes despite their profits hitting record levels in recent years.
The challenge was answered by a prominent disability advocate:
“For too long, flying has been a nightmare for people using wheelchairs. These reforms mean we can travel with dignity and without fear of losing our mobility equipment.”
What Happens Next?
The legal challenge from the airline sector may delay or modify the imposition of the DOT rule. Outcomes are likely to include:
- DOT is revising the rule in response to airlines’ concerns.
- A protracted court battle with airlines trying to prevent certain provisions.
- Partial implementation, whereby rules take effect on a partial basis while others continue to be in review.
The fight to make wheelchair accessibility a standard in air travel is a classic tug between passenger rights and airline business interests. As the DOT tries to enhance travel for disabled people, airlines contend that the modifications are too hard to make as drafted.
As legal battles are already underway, passengers with disabilities, airline leaders, and regulators too are anxiously waiting to observe the developments of this controversy.
