Kristen RidleyThe U.S. Department of Transportation imposed a $50 million fine on American Airlines for serious violations of disability protection laws spanning from 2019 to 2023. The unprecedented penalty is 25 times larger than any previous fine for similar violations.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that the airline provided “hazardous physical assistance that sometimes led to injuries and disrespectful treatment of wheelchair users,” while consistently failing to provide timely wheelchair support.
The investigation was partially triggered by three formal complaints from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, including a widely circulated video from Miami International Airport showing an American Airlines employee carelessly dropping a wheelchair down a baggage ramp.
Under the settlement terms, American Airlines will pay $25 million to the U.S. Treasury Department, with the remaining $25 million allocated for airline equipment improvements, a wheelchair tracking system, and compensation for affected passengers.
“The era of tolerating poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over,” Buttigieg declared. “With this penalty, we are setting a new standard of accountability for airlines that violate the civil rights of passengers with disabilities”.
American Airlines has responded by highlighting its commitment to improvement, noting a 20% reduction in wheelchair mishandling rates since 2022. Julie Rath, Senior Vice President at American Airlines, stated, “Today’s agreement reinforces American’s commitment to caring for all our customers”.
The airline reported investing $175 million this year in services, infrastructure, training, and new technologies to enhance travel experiences for passengers with disabilities. This includes installing wheelchair lifts at major hubs such as Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Citations:
[1] https://www.npr.org/2024/10/23/g-s1-29341/american-airlines-fine-50-million-passengers-disabilities
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/american-airlines-fined-50m-allegedly-violating-disability-laws-rcna176717
[3] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-airlines-50-million-fine-settlement-passengers-with-disabilities/
[4] https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-fined-disabilities-wheelchairs-ee35b40ac14eb8c79bd0ddea31a1053c
[5] https://www.adapacific.org/american-airlines-to-pay-record-50-million-fine-over-its-treatment-of-passengers-with-disabilities/
[6] https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-sues-austin-taxpayer-funded-homeless-navigation-center-facilitating
[7] https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2024/11/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-sues-nonprofit-that-serves-homeless-in-south-austin/
[8] https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-opens-investigation-possible-conspiracy-advertising-companies-boycott
