Programs & Services > Allowances > Frequently Asked Questions > Persons with Disabilities Using Commercial Airlines For Travel
Persons with Disabilities Using Commercial Airlines For Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: 04/2/12
- Where will I find information for the Air Traveler with a Disability or Special Need?
- Where do I file a complaint as an Air Traveler with a disability or special need related to commercial airlines travel?
- Where do I find TSA information for the Air Traveler with a Disability/Special Need?
- Can I upgrade to premium-class accommodation because coach seating does not accommodate my disability or special need?
- My disability/special need condition requires an attendant/escort when I perform official travel. Is this possible?
- Can I be directed to use a common air carrier if my disability/special need is affected by flying?
1. Where will I find information for the Air Traveler with a Disability or Special Need?
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) effective 5 April 2000, prohibits discrimination against a passenger who is disabled or who has special needs in air travel and requires air carriers to accommodate the needs of these passengers. ACAA responsible agencies - DOT for air travel compliance/information and DOJ for ACAA violations.
Website information:
2. Where do I file a complaint as an Air Traveler with a disability or special need related to commercial airlines travel?
DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division is responsible for air travel compliance involving air carriers. Complaint forms are available at: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/forms.htm.
3. Where do I find TSA information for the Air Traveler with a Disability/Special Need?
Refer to the TSA website.
4. Can I upgrade to ‘other than economy/coach’ accommodations because coach-class seating does not accommodate my disability or special need?
‘Other than economy/coach’ accommodations may be used due to a medical disability/special need only when there is no alternative means to accommodate the traveler's condition (e.g., bulkhead, aisle seating, use of two adjoining coach-class seats, etc). The condition must be certified by competent medical authority (i.e., a licensed medical practitioner) authorized in advance of travel IAW Agency or Service regulations (JFTR and JTR requirement). See JFTR, par. U3520; JTR, par. 3520; and JFTR/JTR, Appendix H, Part IV, Section A. Certifications validating the disability or other special medical needs are effective up to six months or the duration of the disability or special need, whichever is shorter. A medical disability/special need described as a lifelong condition requires a certification statement every two years from a physician (JFTR/JTR, APP P, Part C).
5. My disability/special need condition requires an attendant/escort when I perform official travel. Is this possible?
Yes. An attendant must be appointed by a competent medical authority. An escort must be appointed by competent authority, the employee's/member's AO, or the member's commanding officer IAW Agency or Service regulations (JFTR/JTR, APP A, Part I definitions). See JFTR, par. U7250 and Chapter 7, Part Q; JTR, par. C3500-P2 and Chapter 7, Part J; JFTR/JTR, APP E, Part I, par. A2l for attendant/escort travel requirements. The appropriate authority, not the traveler, determines the need for an attendant or escort.
6. Can I be directed to use a common air carrier if my disability/special need is affected by flying?
A civilian employee is not required to travel by air if using the air transportation mode is medically inadvisable. This ’exemption' to using air travel is not limited to physical disability/special need; however, an advance written medical determination is necessary to support use of an alternate transportation mode (JTR, par. C3500-P2 for civilian employees. JFTR, par. U3500-P2 for uniformed members.
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