American Airlines fined $50m for mistreating disabled passengers

The Department of Transportation issued a $50m fine against American Airlines Wednesday for mistreating passengers with disabilities. According to the DOT, American had the worst track record of major U.S. airlines for damaging wheelchairs and other mobility devices between 2019 and 2023, and also performed poorly in providing prompt wheelchair assistance and dignified transfers for passengers with disabilities. One incident the DOT highlighted was a November 2023 episode during which American baggage handlers dropped a wheelchair down a baggage ramp. “The era of tolerating poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over,” DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “With this penalty, we are setting a new standard of accountability for airlines that violate the civil rights of passengers with disabilities. By setting penalties at levels beyond a mere cost of doing business for airlines, we’re aiming to change how the industry behaves and prevent these kinds of abuses from happening in the first place.” Paralyzed Veterans of America, which the Department of Transportation said was responsible for three of the complaints against American that were investigated, praised the DOT's ruling. “We are pleased to see DOT making such a strong statement for how it will hold airlines accountable for jeopardizing the well-being of passengers with disabilities, particularly wheelchair and scooter users. We are confident this unprecedented enforcement will make it clear to the entire airline industry that passengers with mobility disabilities deserve to travel with the same level of safety and dignity as everyone else," PVA CEO Carl Blake said in a statement.<br/>