Rep. Kean Asks DOT, FAA for Update on Wheelchair Access in Airplane Cabins

Mobility, HME Insights, Legislation & Regulation

WASHINGTON—Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) asking for an update on the department’s efforts to allow passengers with disabilities to bring their wheelchairs in airplane cabins when they fly.

In July of this year, a DOT rule that protects air travelers with disabilities and their wheelchairs took effect, however, many still face challenges when traveling due to current rules in place.

“Current regulations in most cases require wheelchair users to transfer out of their wheelchairs into a standard passenger seat, and to stow their wheelchairs onboard,” Kean wrote. “While airlines, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have made strides in improving crew training and cargo handling practices to ease this process, travel remains functionally inaccessible to many wheelchair users, whose specialized wheelchairs or unique physical needs make leaving their chair impractical. This is why I was pleased to learn about progress in the efforts to install safe and reliable in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems.”

As noted in the letter addressed to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 found that technology for in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems that meet FAA standards are technically feasible and could be implemented in commercial aircraft. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 authorized the creation of a “roadmap” for successful deployment of in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems into commercial service.

With access still difficult for 5 to 6 million Americans who use wheelchairs despite these findings and legislative advancements, Kean requested updates from the DOT and FAA on the following:

  • Can you provide an update on when OST plans to initiate and complete the report required by Section 544(e) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024?
  • Can you provide an update on FAA research on deployment of in-cabin wheelchair restraints, including a timeline for completion, barriers affecting the process, and additional research needed to meet the crashworthiness standards?
  • What actions can Congress undertake to assist the DOT and FAA in developing feasible regulations to allow deployment of in-cabin wheelchair restraints as soon as possible?
  • What additional training would be needed to ensure cabin crews can safely operate wheelchair restraint technologies?
  • What training and standard practices are needed to ensure all wheelchair users are treated with respect? 

“Thank you for your commitment to ensuring a high level of service, safety and reliability in our nation’s air travel system,” Kean wrote. “I offer my partnership in this effort and look forward to your response and continued dialogue.”

See the full letter here.

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