American Airlines fine overview:
- Who: The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has ordered American Airlines to pay $50 million in civil penalties.
- Why: The fine settles allegations of widespread failures to provide proper assistance to passengers with disabilities.
- Where: The American Airlines fine applies in the United States.
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has ordered American Airlines to pay $50 million in civil penalties following allegations of widespread failures to provide proper assistance to passengers with disabilities.
The order was published to the DOT website on Oct. 23; the department heralded it as a “landmark” penalty against the airline. It says that, from 2019 to 2023, the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) found that American Airlines repeatedly failed to meet Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) standards, which mandate non-discriminatory treatment of passengers with disabilities.
DOT’s investigation revealed that thousands of American passengers reported inadequate wheelchair assistance, which sometimes resulted in physical harm or undignified treatment, the order says.
Specific instances included delayed or unsafe help with enplaning, deplaning, and terminal navigation.
Passenger had wheelchair dropped down a baggage ramp, DOT says
The OACP investigation also uncovered numerous complaints of damaged or delayed wheelchair and scooter returns, “leading to actual or heightened risk of physical harm and significant impacts on passengers’ mobility,” the order states,
Among the violations were reported incidents of American Airlines’ staff members mishandling wheelchairs, including one case at Miami International Airport where a wheelchair was dropped down a baggage ramp.
Reports of these failures came not only from consumers but also from formal complaints filed by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, which highlighted similar issues in 2022 and 2023. DOT records show that from 2019 to 2023, American Airlines was one of the worst-performing U.S. carriers in handling wheelchair and scooter claims, both in the number of claims and the frequency of mishandling incidents, the order adds.
In response, American Airlines said it is committed to enhancing services for passengers with disabilities, citing its significant investments in improvements. The airline reports it is spending over $175 million in 2024 alone on new technology, training, and infrastructure to support passengers using mobility devices. American did not admit any wrongdoing as a part of the settlement.
Meanwhile, American Airlines is also facing a class action lawsuit claiming it discriminates against employees with disabilities, with plaintiffs alleging American Airlines employees accrue absence points for missing work for any reason, including Family and Medical Leave Act reasons.
What do you think of the complaints that led to this American Airlines fine? Let us know in the comments.
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12 thoughts onAmerican Airlines fined $50M for disability law violations
“I’m really glad to see American Airlines taking steps to improve accessibility for passengers with disabilities. It’s encouraging to hear about the investment in staff training and infrastructure – change is definitely needed, and this is a good start. Looking forward to seeing these improvements in action!”
Please add me
Add me
Oh yes ADDME PLEASE, I’ve worked for ENVOY AMERICAN AIRLINES for a whole year Straight, tho just at the peek of it all I was unfortunately Let Go, Terminated the day Before the Holiday which was THANKSGIVING, which was also payday week & yea everyone I SO AGREE with this law suit WE SHOULD GO FOR IT, cause yes I can also say I EXTREMELY AGREE WITH THE ISSUE here and it’s complaints, cause tho I was thee most DEDICATED LOYAL employee even as a New Hire which I also was told, by co workers supervisor managers even the general manager, said that they have never had an new hire employee like myself before, which was nice and yea it was really lit to hear that, EVEN the other airlines thought of me in the same cause they secretly was trying to recruit me to work with them instead, even offer me a bit more $ than I was getting from AA.com
everyone couldn’t believe I was freshly New, they all thought I was a TDY coming in from another big station that was there to HELP and work here.
But to not steer off from the case in matter Umm I as a previous employer for AA does know front line about what is at stake WHY ? Because yes all you that say you have experienced with your travels is a problem cause even so at my station it was like that and similar in a few of the complaints I’ve read thru above, && I Just want to say I’M SO SORRY THAT SMH IF YOU GAS TO ENDURE that kind of treatment, because I actually was the opposite of that when I worked which I’ve gotten in trouble at times for being as polite or as curtious as I was being TRUST ME as a Samoan Islander that’s just how I’m built and was taught raised as such, to be HELPFUL in any and all ways that I’m able. So besides my own troubles on trying to fight my thingy with AA especially in getting my last 3 paychecks that I still have not yet gotten, cause there HR department be in done buuldhiett and giving me just the run around or getting HUNG UP ON, I’m just trying to stay as humble & be as patient as possible, I’m bout ready to see if I can just take it to court BUT that sounds good every time I think about my situation, but who am I fooling, i don’t have the money for that type of thing,…. But I’m so stressed and my family sees this daily, since my last day I worked,
My hubby and my 10 kids just told me “MOM just stop trying to call them for your money, it’s not worth you calling every day like I have been trying to talk it get thru to a live person, and yelling at the person cause they are not being HELPFUL at ALL , like I shouldn’t have to be looking and calling & and emailing about my money I worked for loved I have been since Nov 2024, like most of our bills are way back up, the phone got cut cause that’s not much of a need at the moment, but a roof over us um Food up just been struggling but in have a couple of friends that actually was able to see past my character and kept my house fed, god bless her. But it’s winter and yes it’s cold, but the heat got cut off But it’s ok, we manage the best way we know, and as long as all 12 of us is together WE really don’t feel much of the struggle we are going thru…
dang so sorry for my very much long long comment, I guess you ask can probly feel what I’m going thru at the moment…. But THANKS for this & I feel better I actually got allot of my envoy AA situation off my shoulders,🙃🫣🤫🤭🤭🤗🤗
& it’s Cause of this Subject at hand that is being discussed or going to court, (I hope🤞🏼)
I also would like to be apart of this settlement claim please ADDME cause I also am disabled, but since I was an employed I already had knowledge of how we are treated and it REALLY ISN’T MUCH care & that is the sad part, and that sucks….
oh and BTW my job at our airport station here in GJ Colorado,
certified I was to be the 5th GSC, 2nd CRO agent, 5th PUSH BACK OPERATOR, Ramp Agent, as well as Customer Service Agent, Ticket counter, Gate Agent for on BOARDING flights, BSO, &
overnight closing agent for last flights of the night, SEARCH & CLEANING all aircraft’s, & I was a TRAIN TRAINER for new hires on Exterior/Interior for search& cleaning operations on our E175 -CRJ700 aircraft’s.
also a TTT Train the Trainer (new hires) to Push Back the aircraft’s when flight are going out bound.
I’m disabled even tho I am not look as tho I am my bones are and I’m treated terribly by airlines just because you can’t see a disability doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!
I walk with a cane I was td I had to wait 30 minutes or so. Add me
You would think they would stop doing what they were doing and correct yourself after being charged that much money but just last week and the week before I’m disabled was in a wheelchair and I have never been treated so horrible in my entire life. Was told get out of the wheelchair we’re not pushing you around anymore. You can walk home. Literally left me stranded for days after a major surgery. I seen them. Tell a lady she couldn’t take her oxygen tank on the plane. She didn’t need it I am appalled and I will be doing something about my situation that cost me over $3000 for $200 plane ticket because of what they did to me They have no respect no education no training they should not be in business
Question ❓ why is it America airlines can be sued for the same thing Southwest airlines done to me I’m disabled had to sit on the floor not visible on outside I been dealing with this since February 11th 2024 contacted DOT it’s not fare I’m not done 👍
I was treated HORRIBLY by Southwest this past Saturday. When I booked I stated i needed wheelchair assistance. When I got there I was told that no, they wouldn’t assist me, my family could push me to the gate. My 14 year old daughter had to push me. Then at the gate they told me I would have to walk my wheelchair down to the plane and not leave it at the gate. The ramp agent questioned my request and laughed at me and denied me a supervisor. I have asked for a refund of $649 which was the cost of our one way tickets from Miami to Atlanta. They sent me a $75 “voucher” and now say the case is closed. I’m not at all satisfied and will continue to fight for not only the way I was treated but for the others that didn’t take the time.
disabled
Please add me
Question ❓ why is it America airlines can be sued for the same thing Southwest airlines done to me I’m disabled had to sit on the floor not visible on outside I been dealing with this since February 11th 2024 contacted DOT it’s not fare I’m not done 👍