American gets huge fine for disabled passenger handling failures

It is by far the largest fine of its kind for disability related failures.

The airline conducted ‘unsafe and undignified physical assistance to passengers on a number of occasions that, at times, resulted in injuries,’ said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“They repeatedly failed to provide prompt wheelchair assistance, and they damaged thousands of passengers’ wheelchairs,” he added.

American Airlines said it has been making efforts to improve its disabled passenger service delivery.

The fine relates to incidents between 2019-2023.

The airline says since 2022 its mishandled wheelchair and scooter rate fell by 20% and has invested more than $175 million in service improvements.

“American has a long-standing commitment to serving passengers with disabilities.”

Buttigieg said other airlines are also under investigation although ‘American Airlines appear to be one of the worst offenders.’

“The problems that we have uncovered in our investigation are not confined to one airline.”