Biden Administration Proposes New Rules to Protect Air Travelers in Wheelchairs

The proposal aims to improve the flying experience for disabled passengers by enforcing stricter penalties on airlines for mishandling wheelchairs.

The Biden administration has introduced a proposal to make mishandling wheelchairs an automatic violation of federal law, enabling easier fines for airlines.
Airlines could face fines up to $125,000 for damaging or delaying the return of wheelchairs, with the proposal also mandating annual employee training.
In 2023, over 11,000 wheelchairs and scooters were reported mishandled by airlines, highlighting a growing issue in air travel accessibility.
The proposal includes rights for passengers to choose their repair vendor and aims for better on-board wheelchair standards and lavatory sizes.
Disability advocates and groups have praised the initiative, though achieving the goal of allowing passengers to stay in their own wheelchairs during flights is acknowledged as a long-term challenge.