Advancements in Accessible Air Travel: A Recap of Recent Developments

As the MDA Advocacy Team continues their work to support accessible air travel, we have two exciting efforts to share – one from Congress and one from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

If both efforts become a reality, it will result in the most transformative improvements to air travel in several decades, and the Advocacy Team will need your voices to ensure that happens! Read on for the latest Washington news related to air travel and how you can get involved:

Congress advances the FAA reauthorization with air travel improvements

First, the team is continuing to monitor the ongoing Federal Aviation Act (FAA) reauthorization process. Congress is experiencing a bit of a delay due to shifting congressional priorities. However, even with the delay, MDA is excited about some of the latest developments. On February 19, 2024, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously passed its version of the FAA reauthorization. The bill is a bipartisan effort and contains many of MDA’s top priorities for accessible air travel, including:

• Establishing a mandated pathway to wheelchair spots on airplanes and requiring continued study for wheelchair tie-down systems.
• Assigning new requirements and training related to providing onboard wheelchairs, passenger assistance, and proper stowing of wheelchairs and assistive devices.
• Analyzing and improving the DOT complaint process.
• Continuing and increasing the representation of people living with disabilities on passenger experience committees.

If Congress passes the FAA reauthorization with these items included, it will represent the greatest advancements for accessible air travel in nearly 40 years. MDA’s Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, Paul Melmeyer, shared a statement on this milestone on MDA Advocacy’s X account.

“The Senate Commerce Committee favorably reported an FAA reauthorization to the full Senate that includes a variety of provisions that make air travel safer and more dignified for people with disabilities,” said Melmeyer. “After nearly eight months waiting for this action, we are thrilled these policies are moving forward. If passed, these provisions would represent the greatest advancement in accessible air travel in nearly 40 years. Next, we’re hopeful the full Senate will quickly pass this bill. After that crucial step, the Senate and House then must agree on a joint bill prior to enactment, and MDA will be part of the conversation throughout.”

Congress is still working to craft a final version of the FAA reauthorization bill, and lawmakers have set a new deadline for May 10, 2024, to complete the work. Last year, the House passed its version of the legislation and now both Chambers must come together to negotiate any differences in the legislative text.

Do you want to learn more about the FAA reauthorization? In February, MDA Advocacy hosted the MDA Advocacy Institute: Big Air Travel Updates and Capitol Hill Insights focused on the latest FAA reauthorization developments. MDA Advocacy will continue to share the latest progress on FAA reauthorization and fight for the strongest possible accessibility provisions in the final version of the legislation.

DOT releases a monumental proposed rule on accessible air travel

Second, we are tracking and responding to the release of a new proposal from the DOT that supports accessible air travel by reinforcing the safety, rights, and dignity of travelers with disabilities. On February 29, 2024, DOT released a proposed rule that would, if implemented, provide several reforms:

• Creating new standards to require airlines to ensure that passengers using wheelchairs can promptly board the aircraft and de-plane.
• Mandating training for airline personnel and crew members that assist with passenger seat transfers and stowage of passenger wheelchairs and mobility devices to reduce injuries and wheelchair damage.
• Providing onboard wheelchairs, to be available on most commercial flights, to facilitate passenger mobility while on the aircraft.
• Offering greater transparency to wheelchair users regarding the size constraints of aircraft cargo holds to ensure that passengers can travel with their wheelchairs.
• Requiring airlines to provide passengers with options to repair and replace mishandled wheelchairs and mobility devices.

MDA has applauded this landmark proposal, emphasizing its potential to significantly improve air travel accessibility. Read MDA’s complete statement here.

Organizations and advocates from the neuromuscular disease community still need to comment on the rule before it is finalized, and any recommendations that come from the comment process will be incorporated thereafter. MDA is asking advocates to add their comments on the proposed rule to help empower the DOT to craft the best possible policy for the disability community. Comments will be due on May 13, 2024.

MDA hosts advocacy institute on DOT proposed rule

On the heels of a major new proposal from the DOT to improve air travel for passengers with disabilities, MDA’s Advocacy team broke down the proposal point-by-point, discussed its impact, and shared how you can add your voice as the proposal moves through the federal comment and regulatory process. We were joined for MDA Advocacy Institute: The Administration’s Major Air Travel Proposal by MDA’s Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, Paul Melmeyer, and MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach and Empowerment, Mindy Henderson, as well as introductory remarks from Kelly Buckland, DOT’s Disability Policy Advisor.

Your voice, ideas and lived experiences are critical to MDA’s work to improve air travel accessibility for all. We will continue to share opportunities for you to add your voice to the air travel conversation and allow policymakers to gain a better understanding of the issue as our advocates continue to fight for safe and dignified travel for all passengers with disabilities.