Air Carrier Access Act

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against passengers with disabilities by airlines. Enacted in 1986, it requires airlines to accommodate disabled passengers and establishes specific requirements for accessible air travel.

What the ACAA Does

Core Protection

The ACAA prohibits U.S. and foreign airlines operating flights to, from, or within the United States from discriminating against passengers on the basis of disability.

Who Is Protected

Any person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes:

People with mobility disabilities
Deaf and hard of hearing travelers
Blind and low vision travelers
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities
People with psychiatric disabilities
People with chronic illnesses
People with temporary disabilities

Who Must Comply

All U.S. airlines
Foreign airlines operating flights to or from the United States

Note: The ACAA applies only to airlines. Airports are covered by the ADA (as public accommodations or government entities).

Your Rights Under the ACAA

Booking and Information

Airlines must:

Not refuse transportation based on disability
Not require advance notice of disability (though notice can help ensure services are available)
Provide information about aircraft accessibility on request
Allow you to book flights the same ways as other passengers
Not charge for disability-related services

When advance notice helps: While not required, providing 48-72 hours notice helps ensure:

Electric wheelchair battery accommodations
On-board wheelchair for certain aircraft
Specific seating accommodations
Interpreter or other assistance

At the Airport

Assistance services: Airlines must provide:

Assistance with boarding and deplaning
Help navigating the airport
Assistance with connections
Help with carry-on baggage
Assistance at security checkpoints
Wheelchair or escort service

Request assistance: You can request assistance at check-in, at the gate, or when booking. Identifying your needs helps ensure smooth service.

Service Animals

Current rules (as of 2021):

Only trained dogs qualify as service animals on flights
Emotional support animals are no longer required to be accommodated as service animals
Airlines can require DOT Service Animal form (up to 48 hours before flight)
Airlines can require service animal to fit within passenger’s foot space
Airlines can deny service animals that pose a direct threat

What you may need:

DOT Service Animal Transportation Form
DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (for flights 8+ hours)

Mobility Devices and Equipment

Wheelchairs and mobility devices:

Airlines must accept wheelchairs and mobility devices as checked baggage at no charge
Assistive devices do not count against baggage limits
Manual wheelchairs should be stored in cabin if space permits
Airlines must return wheelchairs and mobility devices at the aircraft door (for many airports)

Electric wheelchairs:

Airlines must accommodate most battery types
May require advance notice for battery handling
Some restrictions on certain battery types—check with airline

Damage to wheelchairs:

Airlines are liable for damage to wheelchairs and mobility devices
Document condition before travel (photos)
Report damage immediately
Airlines must provide temporary replacement if possible
Compensation should cover actual repair/replacement cost

Seating Accommodations

Airlines must provide seating accommodations for passengers who:

Use an aisle chair to board and need accessible armrests
Travel with a service animal
Cannot travel in certain seats due to disability
Have a fused or immobilized leg
Need extra space for a personal care attendant
Are traveling with someone providing assistance

Bulkhead seating: May be available for passengers who need the legroom, but airlines have different policies about who qualifies.

Seat assignment: Request specific seating at booking or as early as possible. Airlines should accommodate disability-related seating needs but cannot always guarantee specific seats.

Accessible Aircraft Features

On aircraft with 60+ seats, airlines must have:

Movable armrests on at least half of aisle seats
Priority space for assistive devices in cabin (when possible)
Accessible lavatories on wide-body aircraft (international flights)

On-board wheelchairs: Aircraft with over 60 seats and accessible lavatories must have on-board wheelchairs available.

Communication Access

Airlines must provide:

Information in accessible formats
Assistance with visual and auditory announcements
TTY access for telephone communications
Captioning on in-flight entertainment with captions capability (for newer content)

For deaf and hard of hearing passengers:

Gate announcements should be communicated visually or individually
Safety briefings should be accessible
Flight crew should communicate essential information

For blind and low vision passengers:

Individual safety briefings available
Assistance with reading materials upon request

What Airlines Cannot Do

Prohibited Actions

Airlines cannot:

Refuse transportation based solely on disability
Require medical certificates except in specific circumstances
Require disabled passengers to travel with an attendant (except specific situations)
Limit the number of disabled passengers on a flight
Require you to sit in certain seats solely because of disability (unless for safety)
Charge for services required by ACAA
Treat disabled passengers less favorably than others

When Airlines Can Require Medical Clearance

Airlines may require medical documentation only when:

There is reasonable doubt that the passenger can complete the flight safely without extraordinary medical assistance
The passenger has a communicable disease that poses a direct threat

Airlines cannot require medical clearance simply because someone uses a wheelchair, is blind, is deaf, or has a visible disability.

When Airlines Can Require an Attendant

Airlines may require a safety attendant only when the passenger is unable to:

Comprehend or respond to safety instructions
Assist in their own evacuation
Establish a means of communication with crew members

If airline requires an attendant, they must consider passenger’s self-assessment. If the airline still insists, passenger can provide their own attendant or accept airline-provided attendant at no charge to passenger.

Filing Complaints

Airline Complaint Process

First step: Contact the airline’s Complaints Resolution Official (CRO)

Every airline must have a CRO available at each airport
CRO must respond to disability-related issues
Request to speak with CRO if you experience problems

CRO contact:

Available in person at airports
Available by phone during flight operations
Can make immediate decisions on many issues

Department of Transportation Complaint

If you can’t resolve the issue with the airline:

How to file:

Online at DOT Aviation Consumer Protection website
By mail to Aviation Consumer Protection Division
By phone at DOT hotline

What to include:

Your contact information
Airline name and flight information
Date of incident
Description of what happened
What accommodation you requested
How the airline responded
What resolution you seek

Timeline:

An airline is not required to address a written complaint it receives more than 45 days after the incident (unless DOT refers it), so complain to the airline promptly
DOT refers the disability-related complaints it receives to the airline and reviews them; you can also complain directly to DOT (generally within 6 months of the incident)
Note: the ACAA has no private right of action — you cannot sue an airline directly under it; enforcement is through DOT

What Complaints Accomplish

DOT tracks complaint patterns and can:

Require airlines to change practices
Issue fines for violations
Issue guidance clarifying requirements
Conduct airline-specific compliance reviews

Practical Travel Tips

Before You Travel

Research the airline:

Check aircraft type for your route (accessibility features vary)
Review airline’s disability assistance policies
Note phone numbers for assistance

Communicate your needs:

Make assistance requests at booking
Confirm requests before travel
Note any special equipment needs

Document your equipment:

Photograph wheelchair/mobility device before travel
Know battery type and specifications
Have any required documentation ready

At the Airport

Arrive early:

Allow extra time for assistance
Confirm assistance arrangements at check-in
Know where to go for assistance

Be specific:

Describe exactly what assistance you need
Don’t assume staff know what you need
Ask for CRO if issues arise

During the Flight

Know your rights:

Crew should accommodate disability-related needs
Essential information must be communicated accessibly
Assistance should be available for movement on aircraft

For connections:

Confirm connecting flight assistance
Communicate timing needs
Gate agents should coordinate assistance

After the Flight

Equipment:

Check wheelchair/mobility device immediately
Report any damage before leaving airport
Get written documentation of damage

Problems:

Document issues while fresh
Get names and details
File complaints if warranted

Common Situations

”My wheelchair was damaged”

What to do:

Report damage immediately to airline staff
Take photos of damage
Get written documentation from airline
Request temporary replacement if needed
File damage claim with airline
If not resolved, file DOT complaint

Compensation: Airlines must pay for repair or replacement. Keep receipts and documentation.

”The airline says I can’t fly without an attendant”

What to do:

Ask for specific reason (must relate to safety criteria)
Explain how you can meet safety requirements
Request to speak with CRO
If airline insists, you can accept airline-provided attendant at no cost or provide your own
File complaint after travel

”My service animal was denied”

What to do:

Ensure you have required documentation
Ask for specific reason for denial
Request CRO
If legitimate service dog with proper forms is denied, file complaint

”I didn’t get the assistance I requested”

What to do:

Remind airline of your request
Request immediate assistance
Request CRO if issue isn’t resolved
Document the failure
File complaint after travel

International Travel Considerations

Flying to/from the United States

ACAA applies to all flights to, from, or within the United States on U.S. and foreign carriers.

Flying Between Other Countries

ACAA does not apply to flights that don’t touch the United States. Other countries have their own accessibility regulations:

European Union: EC Regulation 1107/2006 establishes accessibility requirements for flights within, to, and from EU.

Canada: Canadian Transportation Agency regulations cover Canadian carriers and flights within Canada.

Other countries: Vary widely—research before travel.

Universal Tips for International Travel

Research destination country’s accessibility
Consider travel insurance that covers disability-related issues
Carry essential equipment documentation
Know your rights in each jurisdiction
Consider direct flights when possible

Resources

Government Resources

Advocacy Organizations

Paralyzed Veterans of America (air travel advocacy)
Open Doors Organization (travel accessibility)
National Council on Independent Living

Information Resources

DOT’s “Fly Rights” publication
Airline-specific accessibility pages

Help Build This Page

What’s your experience with air travel accessibility? What tips would you add? What problems have you encountered?

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