Flying can present challenges for passengers with disabilities, whether physical or hidden, making the experience stressful or even painful. The airline industry is dedicated to enhancing air travel accessibility, ensuring a safe, reliable, and dignified journey is accessible to everyone. 

Airlines and airports are actively collaborating with the accessibility community to make flying hassle-free for all passengers. Our commitment is to transform air travel into an inclusive, barrier-free experience for those with special travel needs.

> Fact sheet: Air Transport Accessibility (pdf)

Airline Industry's Goal on Air Travel Accessibility

 

Hear Linda Ristagno, IATA’s Assistant Director External Affairs, on the airline industry’s goal to achieve equal access to air travel for everyone, including passengers with physical or hidden disabilities.

 

IATA Positions on Passenger Accessibility

Need for Harmonization of Disability Legislation

 

The varying disability legislation across the globe causes confusion for passengers with disabilities, difficulties for airlines, and potential safety issues. There is no universal definition of a passenger with disabilities or a consensus on minimum service levels they should expect when flying.

IATA advocates for a joint government and industry approach to meet the needs of passengers with disabilities, ensuring efficient and safe air transport. Working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), IATA is urging states to involve the airline industry in integrating the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UN CRPD) into national aviation legislation and policies for accessible air travel.

One Person One Fare Not the Solution

 

“One Person One Fare” (1P1F) suggests that travelers needing extra seats, due to disabilities or obesity, should only pay for one seat. This might cover an accompanying carer or the need for more space.

Currently, this is not a legal requirement except on certain domestic routes in Canada, though it has been recommended to airlines in some countries.

However, the industry does not support 1P1F on several grounds:

  1. Financial implications for air routes: the average profit per passenger in 2023 was $2.25, equating to 3-4 seats per flight. Free seats could threaten a flight’s financial viability.
  2. Defining the circumstances requiring two seats for a disabled or obese traveler is challenging and could lead to abuse. Without a global definition, this could create confusion for airlines and passengers.
  3. The principles of proportionality and reasonable steps to ensure equal access for people with disabilities are considered under the UN Convention. For instance, this is why not all metro stations have step-free access due to the disproportionate cost.

Airlines remain committed to working with regulators and travelers with disabilities for proportionate and workable solutions to ensure fair and equal access to air travel.

Face-Covering for Passengers with Disabilities

 

Some passengers including those with no autonomy to put/remove a face mask, small children and those with certain medical conditions may not be able to use masks for a lengthy period. Some governments have published regulations on face mask exemption.

> Read the IATA position paper on face-covering for passengers with disabilities (pdf)

Guidance for Airlines: Transport of Battery-Powered Wheelchair and Mobility Aid

The Guidance on the Transport of Mobility Aids (pdf) supports airlines in accepting and transporting battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility aids safely and efficiently. It includes details that passengers need to provide to airlines to ensure battery-powered mobility aid can be accepted and loaded onto the aircraft. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

More on Air Travel Accessibility

Mobility Aids Action Group

The first of its kind, a global Action Group was launched in 2021 to improve the handling of mobility aids for travelers with disabilities, including wheelchairs.

The Action Group will involve a full range of stakeholders, including organizations representing travelers with disabilities, airlines, ground service providers, airports and mobility aids manufacturers.

> More details through the press release: Airlines Launch new Mobility Aids Action Group