American Airlines fined record $50 million for mistreating disabled passengers

NEW YORK– The US government has slapped American Airlines with a hefty $50 million fine for failing to assist passengers with disabilities properly and for mishandling thousands of wheelchairs over the last five years. The fine comes after an investigation by the Department of Transportation (DOT), revealing a disturbing pattern of neglect, including incidents where wheelchair users were injured. Though the exact number of injuries remains undisclosed, the DOT’s findings shine a harsh spotlight on the airline’s treatment of disabled passengers.

The investigation, which covered incidents between 2019 and 2023, was spurred by formal complaints from Paralyzed Veterans of America and shocking video evidence. In one widely circulated video from Miami International Airport, workers were seen carelessly sliding a wheelchair down a baggage ramp, causing it to flip over and skid across the concrete. It was a stark illustration of the carelessness that has plagued American’s handling of wheelchairs.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg didn’t mince words, stating that American Airlines had emerged as one of the worst offenders in its treatment of wheelchair users. However, Buttigieg emphasized that this issue isn’t confined to American alone. “The era of tolerating poor treatment of wheelchair users on airplanes is over,” he asserted, revealing that other airlines are also under investigation for similar violations.