Advocacy Win - DOT Holds American Airlines Accountable for ACAA Violations

We are pleased to provide an update on monumental news from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) this morning.

The DOT announced a $50 million penalty against American Airlines for its treatment of passengers with disabilities. DOT identified numerous violations of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and other laws protecting passengers living with disabilities between 2019 and 2023. During its investigation, DOT found that American Airlines had provided unsafe physical assistance on several occasions, sometimes resulting in injuries and undignified treatment of wheelchair users. American Airlines also repeatedly failed to deliver timely wheelchair assistance and mishandled thousands of wheelchairs, either damaging them or delaying their return, leaving travelers living with disabilities without the essential mobility devices they depend on.

Thanks to your determination, we are moving closer to a more inclusive and respectful air travel experience for all. Your voices were heard!

Please see the Reeve Foundation’s Chief Program & Policy Officer, Regina Blye’s statement below regarding this significant penalty.

"We commend the U.S. Department of Transportation for its diligence in this investigation and its unprecedented action, a pivotal moment that builds on years of relentless advocacy led by the disability community. Countless individuals, including Reeve Foundation advocates, have bravely shared deeply personal, painful stories of a broken system where air travel strips away dignity and threatens safety for those living with paralysis and other disabilities. While this marks a crucial step toward holding airlines accountable, the fight for true equality in air travel is far from over. There is still much work ahead to ensure every passenger's right to safety and respect."

Our work is not over, and we encourage you to continue to hold airlines accountable. If you or someone you know has experienced treatment by an airline that violates the ACAA, we urge you to file a complaint with the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division. You can submit your complaint here. You can also view the DOT’s Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, which describes the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities under the Air Carrier Access Act and its implementing regulation.

Thank you for your continued dedication to this issue. Together, we will continue to push for stronger protections and further accountability to ensure the safety, dignity, and respect of all passengers living with disabilities.