DOT Announces Bill of Rights for Passengers with Disabilities
The DOT has announced actions taken to help protect airline passengers and has published the first-ever Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights and issued a notice to airlines to seat young children next to a parent.
Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights
The Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, an easy-to-use summary of the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities under the Air Carrier Access Act, will empower air travelers with disabilities to understand and assert their rights, and help ensure that U.S. and foreign air carriers and their contractors are aware of their responsibilities.
**Pursuant to section 434 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law No. 115-254), U.S. and foreign air carriers must include the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights on a publicly available internet website of the air carrier and in any pre-flight notifications or communications provided to passengers who alert the air carrier in advance of the need for accommodations relating to disability. Airlines are also required to ensure their employees and contractors receive training on the responsibilities described in the Bill of Rights. OACP will provide information, in the near future, on submission to DOT of airlines’ plans to provide this training.
Notice To Airlines To Seat Young Children Next To A Parent
Today, the office of Aviation Consumer Protection also issued a notice urging U.S. airlines to ensure that children who are age 13 or younger are seated next to an accompanying adult with no additional charge.
