The Airlines for America (A4A) industry trade organization recently announced that it joined seven passenger airlines in pledging to improve accessible air travel for all passengers with disabilities.
The pledge from Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Airlines addresses access for persons with mobility, cognitive, and social disabilities.
“Airlines for America’s (A4A) passenger airlines jointly commit to taking steps to improve accessibility and services for passengers with disabilities,” the CEOs of the seven passenger airlines wrote. “We recognize the need for a specific commitment to remove barriers to safe, accessible air travel.”
According to A4A, carriers will establish a passenger accessibility advisory group within the airlines to work directly with the disability community to improve policies and operations; have pledged to improve passenger transfers and the handling of personal mobility aids; committed to improving frontline employees accessibility services training while providing more education on passengers with disabilities for all airline industry workers; support the continuing study and development of safe and feasible aircraft accessibility features broadening air travel opportunities for passengers with disabilities; and meet all Department of Transportation (DOT) accessibility standards and fully support the rights of passengers with disabilities outlined in the DOT’s Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights.
The A4A said passenger airlines are committed to continuing to work with the disability community, aircraft and mobility aid manufacturers, and safety regulators to examine safe and feasible solutions to reduce air travel barriers.