What is the Air Carrier Access Act?

The Air Carrier Access Act was enacted in 1986 and prohibits discrimination against passengers with disabilities by U.S. and foreign air carriers. The law requires airlines to accommodate the needs of passengers with disabilities, ensuring they can travel with dignity and respect. So, what exactly does the ACAA cover, and how does it affect you?

• Service Animals: The ACAA allows passengers with disabilities to travel with their service animals without any additional fees.
• Emotional Support Animals: As of January 2021, emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals under the ACAA. Airlines may treat them as pets and impose restrictions, including fees and limitations on the types and sizes of animals allowed.
• Accessible Services: The law mandates that airlines provide various services to accommodate passengers with disabilities, such as wheelchair assistance, accessible seating, and communication assistance for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

You might be wondering how ACAA actually protects your rights when you travel?” The ACAA ensures that airlines cannot discriminate against you based on your disability. Here’s how it safeguards your rights:

• No Discrimination: Airlines are required to provide equal access to air travel for passengers with disabilities. This means no one can be denied boarding or treated unfairly due to their disability.
• Service Animal Accommodations: If you have a service animal, the ACAA guarantees that your animal can travel with you in the cabin, provided it meets the airline’s guidelines.
• Complaint Resolution: If you think your rights under the ACAA have been violated, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Airlines are required to have Complaint Resolution Officials (CROs) at the airport to address your concerns.

If you’re traveling with an emotional support animal, you might be concerned about how the ACAA affects you. The truth is, the ACAA provisions regarding emotional support animals have changed:

• Policy Shift: Before January 2021, emotional support animals were considered service animals under the ACAA, and airlines had to accommodate them. Now, airlines can classify emotional support animals as pets, which means they can impose restrictions and fees.
• Planning Ahead: If you plan to travel with your emotional support animal, check the airline’s specific policies. Some airlines may still allow emotional support animals under certain conditions, but you’ll likely need to provide documentation and pay a pet fee.

Have you faced discrimination or unfair treatment while flying? The Air Carrier Access Act provides you with options to address these issues. Here’s what you can do:

• File a Complaint: You can file a complaint with the airline directly or with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT investigates ACAA complaints and can take enforcement action if necessary.
• Contact a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO): Every airline must have a CRO available at the airport. These officials are trained to resolve disability-related issues and can assist you on the spot.

If unsatisfied, you can escalate the complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Additionally, if you cancel due to inadequate accommodations, you may be eligible for a refund or travel credit, depending on the airline’s policies.