Record-Breaking $50M Disability Fine Imposed on American Airlines
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a historic $50 million penalty against American Airlines for violating laws designed to protect passengers with disabilities.
This enforcement action, dated October 23, 2024, represents the largest disability-related airline penalty in history—25 times larger than any previous fine. DOT investigators discovered systematic failures from 2019 to 2023, which included unsafe physical assistance leading to injuries to wheelchair users and damage to thousands of mobility devices.
The penalty comprises a $25 million fine payable to the U.S. Treasury and an additional $25 million in mandated investments. These investments will be allocated towards improving wheelchair handling equipment, implementing system-wide tracking systems, and compensating passengers. American Airlines is also required to install wheelchair lifts at more than 24 airports and deploy specialized coordination staff at major hubs.
A viral video from 2023, which showed baggage handlers dropping a wheelchair down a ramp at Miami International Airport, brought the airline’s issues into the spotlight. According to DOT data, American Airlines had one of the highest rates of wheelchair mishandling among U.S. airlines during the investigation period.
“The era of tolerating poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over,” declared Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation